Technology

The Innovation Hub: Creativity, Collaboration, and Entrepreneurship

On Thursday, March 3rd, the Innovation Hub in North Little Rock invited the community to tour the Hub’s workspaces for designing, making and collaborating. Visitors were able to see the space and learn about their programs, classes, and opportunities. The Open House included tours, activities, demonstrations, and a special celebration featuring local, state, and federal officials.

The goal of the Innovation Hub is to create opportunity, develop talent, and retain that talent for a better Arkansas. The facility is designed around key parts, which together, offer an extensive set of resources. Each of the Hub’s parts and programs include education and mentorship for both adults and children to help foster innovation and promote entrepreneurship.

Spaces for Innovation, Design, and Collaboration

Makerspaces

The makerspaces at the Innovation Hub offer an impressive collection of equipment, including a full wood and metal shop, robotics and advanced computer software, 3D printers, and more. Mentors who will share their time and experience are available to help you with your projects.

Arts and Design Studios

Make your creative vision a reality, whether you work in ceramics, painting, drawing, graphic design, illustration, or printmaking. The arts and design studios at the Innovation Hub offer resources and mentorship so you can innovate and think creatively.

Collaborative Workspaces

Finding a supportive place to meet and collaborate with others can be difficult. The Innovation Hub offers workspaces, complete with resources and support, for entrepreneurs who want to join together and launch new enterprises.

The Innovation Hub recently launched a new program connected to the health sciences called HubX Life Sciences Accelerator program. An accelerator program helps small groups of startup companies by providing funding, work space, resources, mentoring, and networking opportunities to guide them toward a successful business launch. This program, a partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arkansas, Baptist Health, the Iron Yard, and the Innovation Hub, is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and innovators successfully launch businesses that will solve problems, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve access to quality health care services.

For more information about membership, classes, and use of the facilities, visit the Innovation Hub website at http://arhub.org/.

Smartphone Savvy with Drippler

Are you looking for ways to get the most out of your smartphone? Check out Drippler, the free discovery app that gives you tips, software updates, app recommendations and accessory deals, called “drips” that help you maximize your smartphone use.

Why Drippler?

The key to Drippler’s value is that is only gives you information that is relevant to your specific smartphone. With phones getting more complex, and use guides less available, it’s great to find an app that delivers relevant and personal tailored information. Checking my phone, I find information regarding ways to maximize my phone’s battery, 5 apps for using my phone as a wireless mouse and keyboard, how to fix 7 common iPhone keyboard problems, how to delete my iPhone’s browser history, Bluetooth headphone recommendations, and a variety of app and game recommendations. And all of this information is tailored specifically for my iPhone 6s.

Drippler is available for both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. It’s free, easy to use, and well designed. Drippler even has a search function so you can find information on specific topics. You can share your drips with others, or bookmark and save them to build your own smartphone manual.

Drippler has definitely helped me get more functionality from my iPhone. I like that the information comes to me instead of having to constantly search for the most recent tips and tools. Drippler allows me to quickly and easily chose select what I need to maximize the productivity of my iPhone and iPad.

Connect and Collaborate with Stoodle

The ability to work with others is a critical skill for academic and professional success. However, it can be difficult when you are separated from others due to schedules or geography. Online collaborative whiteboard services can help you connect with your classmates, a tutor, or a teacher at anytime from anywhere, but they are often costly, difficult to set up, and have limited capability for real-time communication. Stoodle was created to provide an alternative.

What is Stoodle?

According to the website, Stoodle is “the ultimate online learning experience”. Basically, Stoodle is a free online collaborative whiteboard service, designed for students, tutors, and teachers to share information. It is an excellent way to connect those with information to those who need it.

Stoodle is simple. It includes just the features needed to make online collaboration with a whiteboard effective and efficient. Those features include

Communicate in real-time through voice and text chat
Invite any number of people into the session
Add whiteboard pages easily
Share your whiteboard with others
Use basic drawing tools
Upload images

Stoodle is free, doesn’t require an account, and is incredibly easy to use. You go to the Stoodle website and click on Launch Classroom. Stoodle will ask for your name. Type your name in the box, click OK, and your whiteboard is prepared. Stoodle will remind you to send the URL to those you want to invite. It’s that easy. The video below by ER’s EdTech Tutorials gives an good overview of how to use Stoodle.

Why Use Stoodle?

Stoodle is such an adaptable tool that it can be used for many different purposes. It requires almost no set-up, so it’s ideal for impromptu review and brainstorming sessions or informal tutoring. Because Stoodle is free, it is open to everyone. It is also ideal for non-traditional students who would like to work with their classmates, but are separated by geography. The Stoodle whiteboards can be used for all kinds of process work, from brainstorming, creating concept maps for reviews, problem solving, or editing writing projects. And you can store your whiteboard sessions to review later.

Communicating with your peers shouldn’t be difficult. Whether you are a non-traditional student or taking classes in a face-to-face environment, Stoodle offers you the opportunity to connect with your classmates, a tutor, or a teacher at anytime from anywhere, at no cost. With real-time communication options, unlimited whiteboard pages, and the ability to save your whiteboard for review later, Stoodle is a terrific alternative to other online whiteboard services.

Create a Mind Map with Text 2 Mind Map

What is a Mind Map?

Mind mapping, also known as concept mapping, is a way of visually organizing information around a central concept or idea. The process begins with a central concept, the “big idea” that stays in the center of your map. That central idea is surrounded by connected branches of associated topics. The connected topics contain explanations, details, and facts about that topic as it relates to the central idea. The information is visual, in the form of images, keywords, and short phrases, and color is employed to clarify the relationships. Mind maps created with computer software can even include short video clips and web links. The easiest way to understand a mind map is to see one, so I have created this simple mind map about summer.

Mind mapping benefits students in a number of ways. First, mind maps organize information the way your brain stores memories – by linking new information to the things you already know. Mind maps are clear and easy to understand. The main concept is usually in the center of the map. Mind maps are flexible; they help you understand the connections between concepts, and improve your ability to recall information.

You can create a mind map easily with a pencil and paper, but it can be difficult to make changes and add or delete information. Using computer software gives you more flexibility and helps you keep your map neat and orderly. There are a number of free mind mapping programs online, and mind mapping apps are also available.

Text 2 Mind Map

Text 2 Mind Map is an online mind mapping tool that lets you create a mind map from an outline, and is very easy to use. To create a mind map, simply type (or paste) your outline text into the text box provided. The site will not recognize your outline formatting, so you will have to use the Tab key to indent and Shift + Tab to out dent. Once your text is formatted the way you want, click on the Draw Mind Map button and Text 2 Mind Map will create your mind map. You can reposition the elements by moving them with your mouse, and you can use the options panel to change some of the elements. Then, download the map as a PDF or a PNG image. That’s really all there is to it.

Features

Anyone can use the free version simply by going to the website. It’s very simple to use, has options for configuration, and all the maps you create are downloadable as a PDF or PNG (image) file. You can also save your map with a title. You won’t have immediate access to your map, however. The save feature is there so that the company behind Text 2 Mind Map can email you the map if you lose it. Still, if you don’t need to save all your maps in a collection online, the free version should be all you need.

I think that Text 2 Mind Map is a terrific tool, and I am completely satisfied with the free version. I don’t have any need to store the maps I create in an account, and I don’t mind seeing ads. When I tested the site it was very clean and there weren’t any ads visible. I find using this tool very helpful when I want to distill my notes into non-linear, linked elements. The ability to easily go from my text outline to a visual mind map makes it easier to check my understanding of new material. Text 2 Mind Map is the only tool I have found with the text-to-map capability which should make it useful even to people who are unaccustomed to creating mind maps.

Master the Online Tools

Do You Know the Online Tools?

Whether you are an online student or taking classes in a traditional classroom, most, if not all, of your courses will have an online element. The most common is Backboard, the web-based learning management system used to host online courses and provide supplemental materials for face-to-face classes. But your instructors may use other web-based tools such as ExamSoft, O2, or blog sites, wikispaces, and Google apps to support teaching and learning. Whatever the tools, it is a good idea to become familiar with them and learn how they work before you need them to complete assignments or take a test.

Begin with Blackboard

Blackboard is a good place to begin, because your courses will likely have a Blackboard site. Check out your courses in Blackboard as soon as they are available to get the information you need to plan your semester. Then work your way through the following components.

Navigation

Instructors set up their Blackboard sites differently, so it is a good idea to navigate around the site to learn how things are organized and where information is stored. Chances are you will like some organizational systems better than others, but the key is not to be surprised when you go to find something. The more you explore the more you will master navigating through all of Blackboard’s features. Learn how your instructors label and use folders. Click on the discussion feature to see if your instructor will be using discussions in the course. You can learn a great deal by just touring the site.

Syllabus/Calendar

Two of the most important documents you need to access are the course syllabus and calendar. Don’t let yourself be surprised by the course schedule and requirements. Learn where the calendar and syllabus are, and download.

Course Content

Usually the course content folder or tab will contain most of the materials you need to complete the course. Remember that instructors organize information differently. Some may have everything organized into module sub-folders within a content folder, while others may simply have a series of links in the side navigation bar. This step will be easy if you take the time to navigate through the course.

Assignments/Assessments

Find the Assignments and Assessments folders and see what your instructor has posted. Often, instructors upload assignment instructions and rubrics. You will see how you are expected to turn in your assignments, and how the instructor will choose to administer quizzes and tests.

Blackboard Collaborate

If your instructor intends to have synchronous meetings online, you will see a link for Blackboard Collaborate. Learn how to join a Collaborate session and make sure your browser, virus protection, and software are up to date before you have to attend a scheduled meeting.

Identify Other Online Tools

Many instructors use other online tools in their courses, so learn what they are and become familiar with how they work. That way, you aren’t trying to learn new tools when deadlines become pressing.

Many instructors use ExamSoft for testing. The College of Medicine uses O2 to provide students with a calendar and a host of other information. Some instructors will use other web-based tools, apps, and websites in their courses. Find out what the tools are, and get to know them.

Site Support and FAQS

What should you do if you need help learning how to use the online tools? Support forums, tutorials, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) will help you get started or solve problems.

Blackboard

Blackboard Help Site

Blackboard Collaborate Requirements

ExamSoft Support

O2 (College of Medicine)

Student Success Center Tech Support

Mastering the online tools you will use in your courses is a good way to help maximize your time. Whether you are a traditional student or taking courses online, you will have to use a variety of online tools in your academic career. Whatever the programs or tools, it is best to know how they work before you need them.