Teaching & Learning

Introduction to Zotero: workshop

When: Wednesday, May 9, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Where: Regenstein Library, Room 127
1100 East 57th Street, Chicago, IL
Description:
Zotero is a free citation manager that allows you to save citation information while searching and browsing the Web. With a single click, Zotero saves citations and enables you to create customized bibliographies in standard citation styles, including MLA, Chicago and APA. This hands-on workshop will introduce some of the key functions of Zotero such as: installing the Zotero extension in your web browser, adding citations to your Zotero library, organizing and managing your citations, creating a bibliography, and using the Microsoft Word plug-in to easily insert citations from Zotero into your documents. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. Register by selecting the website below.
Register: Website
Contact: Joseph Regenstein Library
773-702-4685
Calendars: Library, Student Events, Training, Workshops
 
Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact the event sponsor for assistance. Information on Assistive Listening Device

EndNote, RefWorks, or Zotero? Selecting the Best Citation Manager: Workshop

When: Tuesday, May 1, noon – 1:00 pm
Where: TECHB@R
Regenstein Library, Room 160
Description:
Citation managers are powerful, time-saving tools that help you manage your research. This workshop will compare how EndNote, RefWorks, and Zotero – three of the most popular citation managers – allow you to save, share, and cite information. In order to provide a side-by-side comparison of tools, the format of this workshop is demonstration rather than hands-on training.

To register, click on the website below.

Register: Website
Contact: Joseph Regenstein Library
773-702-4685
Calendars: Library, Student Events, Training, Workshops
 
Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact the event sponsor for assistance. Information on Assistive Listening Device

MATLAB seminars at the University of Chicago

Two free seminars on using MATLAB, a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numerical computation, will take place on Thursday, May 3, 2012 in the Kathleen A. Zar Room in the John Crerar Library. Join MathWorks engineers as they demonstrate how MATLAB and Simulink can be used as a flexible platform for technical computing and application development in engineering, math, and science curricula and research. The seminars will be led by an application engineer from Mathworks, the parent company of MATLAB.  There is no cost to attend one or both sessions.

Pre-register at http://mathworks.com/seminars/UCHI2012

9:30 – 10:00 a.m.

Registration and sign-in. Walk-ins are welcome. 

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Session 1: Optimizing Performance and Memory in MATLAB

This session will focus on techniques for developing efficient MATLAB programs using best coding practices. We will demonstrate simple ways you can improve and optimize your code to boost execution speed by orders of magnitude. We will also address common pitfalls in writing MATLAB code and explore the use of the MATLAB Profiler to find bottlenecks. Other topics include strategies for handling large amounts of data in MATLAB and avoiding “out-of-memory” errors. We will provide you with an understanding of the causes of memory limitations in MATLAB and a set of techniques to increase the available memory in MATLAB. You will gain an understanding of how different MATLAB data types are stored in memory and how you can program in MATLAB to use memory efficiently. We will also show techniques for minimizing memory usage in MATLAB while accessing, storing, processing, and plotting data.

 Highlights include:

  • Leveraging the power of vector and matrix operations in MATLAB
  • Identifying and addressing bottlenecks in your code
  • Understanding memory and its constraints
  • Minimizing your memory footprint in MATLAB 

12:00 – 12:30 p.m.

 A light lunch will be served.

12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Session 2: Parallel Computing with MATLAB on Multicore Desktops and GPUs

During this session you will learn how to solve computationally and data-intensive problems using multicore processors, GPUs, and computer clusters. We will introduce you to high-level programming constructs that allow you to parallelize MATLAB applications and run them on multiple processors. We will show you how to overcome the memory limits of your desktop computer by distributing your data on a large scale computing resource, such as a cluster. We will also demonstrate how to take advantage of GPUs to speed up computations without low-level programming.

 Highlights include:

  • Toolboxes with built-in support for parallel computing
  • Creating parallel applications to speed up independent tasks
  • Scaling up to computer clusters, grid environments or clouds
  • Employing GPUs to speed up your computations

 –Register now–

Register at http://mathworks.com/seminars/UCHI2012

Tech Treats: Presentation Tools – TECHB@R event

Photo of a Presentation in the TECHB@R

Photo by Jason Smith

Treat Yourself to New Technology

Thursday, April 26
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
TECHB@R, Regenstein Library, Room 160

Refreshments will be served.

Drop by the TECHB@R in Regenstein Library to learn about the variety of presentation tools available to make your next presentation stand out. Compare the standard presentation tools like Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote to OpenOffice’s Impress and web apps like Slide Rocket and Prezi. Try out the tools and check out how presentations look on a variety of devices (laptops, phones, tablets, etc.) to determine which will work best for your next presentation.

Tech Treats: Presentation Tools is co-sponsored by the Library and IT Services.  Look for additional Tech Treat programs in the coming months.

Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact 773-702-4484 for assistance.

Deepening Student Learning with Library Research Skills: workshop

Photo of Library Instruction Program at Crerar Library

Photo by Lloyd DeGrane

Have you found that your students aren’t using the academic sources you expect for their assignments? Do your students seem to lack basic library research skills?

TAs, instructors, and faculty are welcome to attend the Library’s upcoming workshop:

Deepening Student Learning with Library Research Skills
Monday, April 23
2:00 – 3:30 pm
Regenstein Library, Room 523

In this program, University of Chicago librarians will highlight ways you can integrate library research instruction into your courses to promote the acquisition of the skills necessary to complete research assignments. We’ll demonstrate ready-to-go online tools that can be integrated into your Chalk site, and discuss the different types of in-class instruction the Library can provide. At the end of the session, we’ll work together to create some sample assignments designed to help students learn how to use the Library’s collections and online resources.

Presenters:
Julia Gardner, Head of Reader Services, The Special Collections Research Center
Rebecca Starkey, Librarian for College Instruction and Outreach, Regenstein Library
Debra Werner, Librarian for Science Instruction and Outreach, Crerar Library

We hope you can attend.  Registration is recommended.

Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact Rebecca Starkey at 702-4484 for assistance.

Get Help with EndNote, RefWorks, or Zotero

Photo of a librarian helping a student

Photo by Jason Smith

University of Chicago librarians now offer weekly office hours to help RefWorks, Zotero, and EndNote users at the TECHB@R in Regenstein Library.  Feel free to drop by on Mondays from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. if you need assistance, or if you would just like to learn more about these tools.  Below are a few examples of the service we can provide:

  • Expert advice on how citation managers may be used for your research
  • Guidance on selecting the best citation manager for your needs
  • Instruction on each tool for individuals or small groups (2-3 people)
  • Assistance diagnosing problems and finding solutions

Support for citation managers is just one of the “Ask the Expert” services offered at the TECHB@R.  To learn more, visit: itservices.uchicago.edu/techbar

More information about RefWorks, EndNote, or Zotero is available online at the Library’s guide to citation management

David Stern’s ‘The Haggadah and the Jewish Imagination’ lecture available online

Illustration of Seder dinner - 1867 Livorno HaggadahDavid Stern, professor of Classical Hebrew Literature at the University of Pennsylvania, opened the Haggadah exhibition and lecture series on April 1 with a talk on the Haggadah, the book of prayers, illustrations, and stories recited on the Jewish holiday of Passover, marking the freeing of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

An audio recording of the lecture is now available for download and listening on the UChicago News site.

Collecting Assignments Electronically using Chalk: TECHB@R Event

When: Thursday, April 12, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Where: TECHB@R
Regenstein Library, Room 160
Description:
See the features of the Assignment Manager which has replaced the Digital Drop Box. This session will be held at the IT Services TECHB@R on the first floor of the Regenstein Library, room 160. Please RSVP to: chalk@uchicago.edu.
Contact: Academic Technologies
773-702-9944
Calendars: Academic Technologies, Featured, Seminars, Training, Workshops
 
Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact the event sponsor for assistance. Information on Assistive Listening Device

Chalk for TA’s: TECHB@R Event

When: Thursday, April 12, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Where: TECHB@R
Regenstein Library, Room 160
Description:
This overview session will focus on familiarizing Teaching Assistants with Chalk. You will learn how to build a course site by uploading course documents and organizing materials. We will also highlight helpful tools and resources used specifically by teaching assistants such as Discussion Boards, the Assignment Manager, and the Grade Center. This session will be held at the IT Services TechB@R on the first floor of Regenstein Library, room 160. Please RSVP to chalk@uchicago.edu
Contact: Academic Technologies
773-702-9944
Calendars: Academic Technologies, Featured, Seminars, Training, Workshops
 
Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact the event sponsor for assistance. Information on Assistive Listening Device

Firefox Add-ons for Research & Writing: TECHB@R Event

When: Thursday, April 12, noon – 1:00 pm
Where: TECHB@R
Regenstein Library, Room 160
Description:
Are you a Mozilla Firefox browser user? Do you want to learn how to customize your browser to facilitate research and writing? During this workshop, we will demonstrate selected tools that assist with searching and writing/citing (for example, the ProxyIt! bookmarklet, smart keywords, Zotero). Not only will you be able to experiment with downloading, installation, and use of these tools, there will be time to share your favorite Firefox tips and tricks. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops.
Registration is not required, but recommended.
Register: Website
Contact: Joseph Regenstein Library
773-702-4685
Calendars: Library, Featured – Homepage/Students, Student Events, Training, Workshops
 
Persons with disabilities who need an accommodation in order to participate in this event should contact the event sponsor for assistance. Information on Assistive Listening Device