Information Technology Systems and Services.
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Workshops

ITSS offers technology learning opportunities in a variety of formats for faculty and staff. If you don't see what you need or if you have an idea your group, project team or program would like to explore check out our Custom Session options and contacts below.

Scheduled Sessions

Tech Jams

Offered the first and third Wednesday of each month, Tech Jams are face-to-face active learning session for faculty and staff on a variety of technology topics followed by an open session to continue hands-on work and address on-going projects.

Unless otherwise noted, all Tech Jam sessions are scheduled from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and will be held in Kirby Plaza 175. An open session continues from 1:30-2:30 p.m. also in Kirby Plaza 175.

Please bring your laptop or mobile device if you'd like to follow along. A limited number of laptops will be available to borrow if you don't have one of your own.

Google Groups - Course Groups, Mailman replacement and so much more

If you regularly send out emails to large groups of people, chances are that you're already familiar with Google Groups, which has replaced Mailman as UMD's group email management solution. But did you know that Google Groups does a lot more than just email? It's a powerful sharing and collaboration tool as well. In this session, we'll explore the basics, including:

Google Hangouts

Want to make a video call from your computer, tablet, or smartphone? Google Hangouts is a lot like Skype or FaceTime, but has the advantage of being integrated with other Google Services offered by the University.

Hangouts allows you to voice or video chat with multiple people at once, collaborate on documents, and send texts. It's free and easy to use on most any device.

Come get hands-on experience with Google Hangouts! Along with your computer or phone, please bring headphones if possible.

Google Calendar

We can't add more hours to your day, but we can help you keep track of them better. It will cover the basics of using Google Calendar, including:

Google Sites - Creating and managing personal and club websites

In the past, students, staff and faculty were given personal space on the UMD web server commonly referred to as ~ sites. That option is still available, but knowledge of HTML, SFTP, and file permissions is required in order to build and maintain sites. Often people rely on specialized, expensive software such as Dreamweaver in order to do it.

If you're not a web development professional but would still like to create a website for your C.V., resume, club information, or other personal project, Google Sites may be the free, easy to use solution you've been looking for. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to replace an older site, come to learn the basics of Google Sites including:

Google Drive

You know that you should be backing up your files. But how? And where? These days you don't just have a desktop computer, but you've got a laptop, a tablet, and a smartphone as well. You work on campus, at home, and on the road. Is there a way to get your work done from all your different locations and on all your different devices?

Collaboration is more important than ever. How can you share files with your colleagues and students, control what they can and cannot do, and ensure you don't end up with multiple copies of the same thing?

Google Drive may be just the solution you've been searching for, but getting started can feel overwhelming. In this session we'll address the basics, including:

Google "Office" Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides and Forms)

You've used Microsoft Office for years, but the Google equivalents have piqued your curiosity. This session will cover the basics of Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets, which have a lot in common with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. We will also demonstrate Forms where you can create a simple survey, application, or feedback form.

Video, Screencasting and Captioning

Interested in creating multimedia projects like video or screencasting but not sure where or how to start? Or, have a video project that needs captioning or annotating? In this session will we:

This session will be held in The Multimedia Hub on the 2nd floor of the Library.

Custom Sessions

Not finding a topic that suits your needs? Got a specific problem or idea? ITSS offers customized learning sessions that fit your time, topic and individual or group needs.

Technology Training

Custom training sessions available to groups of eight or more people who need training on a specific (non-educational) technology tool. No cost for eight or more participants.

To get started complete the technology training request form.

Educational Technology Intensive

Multi-session, customized workshops designed upon departmental or unit needs. ITSS and/or ATSS/CEI led. No cost. Examples include:

Educational Technology Personal Consult

Project-based, one-to-one faculty consultations with an ITSS Educational Technologist.

To get started with an educational technology custom service email et-itss@d.umn.edu.

Additional options include: