Your monthly source for learning opportunities, tech updates and lesson ideas.
Who We Are | Get Scheduled | Student Resources | Certifications | Portfolios
What is JSchoolTech and who is Heather?
JSchoolTech is our technology training center for the school. Our tag is "Creative Solutions for Creative Students". We are celebrating our 10th year of building skills and creating content.
We operate a training site (JSchoolTech.org), a robust social media space (@jschooltech and @halawrenz), a virtual training space (Virtual JBar) and an in-person help desk (the JBar in the Clarkson Gallery).
Heather is an Adobe expert and focuses on that in her work. She is in charge of the JBar Associates who are available at the JBar in the Clarkson Gallery. In addition to teaching JMC 212 and JMC 342, Heather also coordinates JMC Tech Tools courses. Her main role is supporting all students (and you!) in using industry standard technology.
On Our Calendar
Remind students they can meet with Heather via Zoom, in person, through the Virtual JBar and learn with our tutorials! We would love for you to add the links below to your Canvas Course
JBar Associates available at JBar
- Monday 9 am - 12 pm; 3-5 pm
- Tuesday 8 am -12 pm; 2-5 pm
- Wednesday 8 am - 12 pm; 3-5 pm
- Thursday 8 am -12 pm; 2-5 pm
- Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Get ON our calendar
Make sure you email halawrenz@ku.edu to schedule her appearance in your class. Heather is able to train on all Adobe creative tools. Reservations must be made by Sept. 15.
Our hub page offers students a quick way to access class specific tutorials. We have curated tutorials for classes on Audacity, Excel, Google Analytics, Infographics and video.
In addition to appearing in class, Heather can create tutorial content for you, curate resources and hold workshops - just reach out. I am happy to meet with you to do a needs analysis and brainstorm ways we could incorporate technology products into your classes.
ON JSchooltech.org
What do students have access to?
Through Office 365, students have access to the entire office suite.
Adobe Express: Make Reels and TikTok videos, flyers, resumes, presentations, logos, and web pages with the new, all-in-one Adobe Express app for fast and easy content creation.
Professors can also access Express (and the entire Adobe Creative Cloud) for free!
Accessing Adobe Creative Cloud: Including Premiere, InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.
Option 1 - Laptops that students can check out from the Resource Center have CC loaded on them. Students will need to remain on Jayhawk WiFi to use these lab licensed devices.
Option 2 - Any campus computer lab will also have CC on them (including STF 204, the Resource Center and the devices in the STF lobby).
Option 3 - purchase a year license from KU bookstore for $150. This is a significant discount!
We are adding new content weekly so make sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel to keep up!
New content
Learn how to create stunning mockups in Adobe Illustrator!
Learn about Photoshop's selection tools, including Marquee, Lasso, Magic Wand, Quick Selection, and Object Selection, plus the Select and Mask workspace settings for precise image editing.
Transform your resume into an interactive experience by adding hyperlinks, videos, and publishing it online for easy access on any device.
Cool stuff, Apps & Lessons
Share Certifications and Badges with your students
The Technology Committee has assembled a list of certifications and badges for students interested in demonstrating communication-related skills to potential employers. This information is available on a canvas course titled “JMC Certification Options” for instructors to import into their courses. If you would like to be added to the canvas course, please email halawrenz@ku.edu. We are also interested in growing the list of certifications/badges. If you have something you would like us to add to our list, please email halawrenz@ku.edu.
If you were added last spring, you are still in there - don't forget to copy content over to your new Canvas courses for Fall 2025. Instructions on how to do this are on the course home page.
Supporting portfolios in your classes
All students are expected to have and maintain a portfolio that they build and refine throughout their JSchool experience.
Portfolios are started in JMC 104. At this level, we expect students to have a good framework, a well-written about me and a few pieces of work added. Next, in JMC 304, we ask students to think deeper about what should be in their portfolio.
All other classes are expected to have some portfolio element. Each class may have a different approach, but the consistency of expecting to add portfolio content in each class is helpful to our students.
As you build your class syllabus, think about how you can support and scaffold student portfolio building. I like to think of portfolios as having a good, better, best approach. Let me know how I can help you with any of the below:
Good - Point out in your syllabus and in class which content should go in portfolios. Students often need help linking course work to job skills. This will help them easily identify content.
Better - Identify a portfolio item in each class on the syllabus. Provide a rubric for what should be in the portfolio at this stage. (I can link these on JST). Assess the portfolio using the rubric.
Best - Identify portfolio item, provide a rubric. Have Heather (or someone from the JST team) come in for portfolio training. Encourage or assist students in receiving a professional portfolio review at the senior level of coursework.
Credits:
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