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April 16, 2020
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
Dr. Kanta Velamuri, a critical care specialist and graduate of our health science education M.Ed. program, captures how I’m feeling these days:
“It is a hard time for everyone — for the people getting sick, their families, the health care workers risking their own lives and those of their families, and the people whose jobs and livelihoods are affected by the shutdowns and social distancing. We are all making these sacrifices for the good of everyone.”
Hear more from our alumni in the trenches — in hospitals and virtual classrooms — in this latest story. I appreciate you all continuing to demonstrate empathy and strength as the semester winds down and we launch into summer session.
Onward with determination,
Bob
Banner: Celebrating Cougar Red Friday a day early with BOUNCE student worker Faride Kaun
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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A power outage is planned for Farish Hall on Sunday, April 26 from 6 a.m. to noon. CITE will power off all Farish computers Saturday, April 25 at 11 p.m. Be sure to upload files you need to OneDrive or Sharepoint. All Farish Hall computers should be powered on and accessible by 7 p.m. Sunday.
- The challenge is on! Step away from your computer and step outside for a walk. You can raise funds to support moms and babies at the same time. The March of Dimes walk has turned remote. Donate or participate as a virtual walker through our UHCOE team webpage. Contact Paula Canada for details.
- You have two weeks to submit nominations for COE Staff Awards. The deadline is Thursday, April 30. See April 1 email from Tracy Markovich for details.
- Stay tuned for an email from Staff Council and FEC about upcoming virtual meetups, including a mask making lesson and a scavenger hunt.
SPOTLIGHTS
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Never Stop Learning
Resilience — the word came up several times in interviews with faculty about their transition to online classes. Students have adapted, as have we, under great pressure. Read about lessons learned and silver linings in Q&As with Elsa Gonzalez (ELPS; pictured), Dustine Thomas (CUIN), Kayce Solari Williams (PHLS), Jahnette Wilson (CUIN) and Sissy Wong (CUIN). |
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Troubleshooting Technology
CITE’s Daniel Pineda typically ensures that classrooms are in good shape for teaching. Now, he’s working to make sure the same preparedness applies for virtual instruction, helping our faculty and charter school teachers remotely. He’s always enjoyed troubleshooting technology. “I like to make and destroy things and remake them again,” Pineda, a UH alum, said in this Q&A. (Non-experts shouldn’t try this at home!) |
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Visual Connections
With social media and electronic communication keeping us connected more than ever these days, graphic designer Jaime Questell has prepared photos that reflect our current reality and designed graphics that convey clear messaging. Before news broke that classes were going virtual, she had graphics ready to go, and she’s continued plugging away while juggling home-schooling. (Check out some of her work and follow @UHCOE on Instagram.) |
TIPS
Teaching
Working Remotely
 Creative desk hack from Kayce Solari Williams (PHLS): Natural light? Check. Books on instructional design and academic writing? Check. And a cake stand? Check, to elevate her iPad to serve as a second screen.- Feeling isolated or bored? Vice offers 57 ideas approved for social distancing, including binge watching a show with friends via Netflix Party, virtual art tours of MoMa, Tate Britain and Musée d’Orsay, and planning a “Chopped” food challenge.
Technology
- Want to show an up-close view of a document during a Microsoft Teams meeting or class? Use your cell phone as a document camera. Talk to Velvette Laurence (CITE) for a tutorial.
- To make Outlook365 look more like your normal email setup, click the gear icon at the top right and click “View all Outlook settings” to change features. Under “Message organization,” you can choose to display emails individually or as a conversation.
- Can anyone top Cathy Horn’s Zoom background? Email your screenshot to coecomm@uh.edu.
RESOURCES
- Find financial resources, mental health hotlines, ways to help and more in the Houston Chronicle’s COVID-19 resource guide.
- Who should be tested for COVID-19? Visit Harris County’s online tool to help determine whether you may need further assessment or to be tested.
- The Houston Food Bank continues to provide food at sites across town and is seeking volunteers (social distancing procedures are in place).
Submit ideas for the special edition of Dean’s Update to coecomm@uh.edu and emellon@uh.edu.
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