Useful Tools, Information, & Resources For Wessels Library

From Internet Scout Report

"Staff at the State University of New York's University at Buffalo's Map Collection have worked to bring the general public this top-notch guide to teaching with maps. The resources are culled from the University at Buffalo, digital collections from other institutions, and the Internet. The materials are organized into 14 thematic categories, such as Gazetteers, GIS Maps and Sites, and Satellite and Remote-Sensing Images. Visitors will note that each resource has a brief annotation along with a direct link to the resource.

"Locating Maps on the World Wide Web is a great resource, as it features high-quality links to collections at the University of Texas at Austin, the United Nations, and the US Geological Survey. Moving on, the Teaching Resources and Other Materials area is another great find. Here visitors can make their way through over two dozen resources, including the Using Historic Maps in College and University Courses site from the Newberry Library in Chicago."

"Over the last few years, I’ve had the honor of leading PBL and design thinking workshops all over the world. Early on in each workshop, I ask participants to identify the challenges that they face when trying to implement innovative teaching strategies. Whether they teach in Australia or the Netherlands or Hong Kong or the U.S., certain challenges always emerge."

Online learning has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially due to the global pandemic. However, engaging students in this type of learning can be challenging. In this article, we explore seven innovative teaching strategies to help educators engage their students in online learning.

"AssemblyAI enhances its speech-to-text services by introducing support for 99 languages, offering advanced features at a single price point. Explore the latest developments in AI-driven language recognition.

In a significant advancement for language recognition technology, AssemblyAI has announced the expansion of its speech-to-text services to support 99 languages. The company is offering these enhanced capabilities alongside advanced features at a unified price point, according to assemblyai.com.

Key Features and Updates

AssemblyAI's latest update introduces a universal model that not only accommodates a wide array of languages but also incorporates advanced contextual text formatting. This feature is particularly beneficial for languages like Spanish and German, enhancing the accuracy and usability of transcriptions. The company has also streamlined its pricing model, making these features more accessible to a broader audience.

Technological Integration and Implementation

In addition to the language expansion, AssemblyAI has integrated OpenAI's Whisper technology for offline speech recognition. This integration supports browser and Node.js implementations, allowing developers to utilize powerful transcription capabilities in various environments. The Whisper API also facilitates audio transcription using JavaScript, broadening the scope for developers to create innovative applications.

Industry Impact and Future Prospects

The expansion to 99 languages positions AssemblyAI as a formidable player in the AI-driven speech-to-text market. By offering comprehensive language support and advanced features at a competitive price, the company is poised to attract a diverse clientele ranging from individual developers to large enterprises.

Furthermore, the inclusion of free speech-to-text APIs and open-source engines underscores AssemblyAI's commitment to fostering innovation and accessibility in AI technology. This strategic move is likely to stimulate growth and adoption of AI-driven language solutions across various sectors.AI-powered search engine

As AssemblyAI continues to enhance its offerings, the company is set to play a pivotal role in the evolution of speech recognition technology, driving forward the capabilities and applications of AI in everyday communication and business operations.

Image source: Shutterstock"

AssemblyAI Expands Speech-to-Text Capabilities with 99 Languages

Iris Coleman Aug 26, 2025 05:08

https://blockchain.news/news/assemblyai-expands-speech-to-text-capabilities-with-99-languages

#Metaglossia 

#metaglossia_mundus 

The CHLOE 10 report, focusing on online learning, reveals a boom in short-term credentials, along with uneven progress on AI across higher ed

"The power of translation services in patient care
When communication barriers impede care, Penn nurses play a role in bridging language and cultural gaps.

Aparticular patient in the emergency room at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania wasn’t assigned to resource nurse Monica Phann, but colleagues had asked for her help because the man and his wife had limited English proficiency, and they couldn’t immediately locate a translator. Phann grew up speaking Khmer with her parents and grandparents in South Philadelphia.

View large image
Image: Doug Chayka
“When I stepped in, they let go of all their formalities and [the patient was] finally able to say, ‘yes, I don’t feel good, and I need to be able to have someone understand the pain that I’m in,’” Phann recalls.

With her as a go-between, the hospital team was able to run the appropriate tests and quickly diagnose the patient with lung cancer. He started radiation treatment within a week. Though the diagnosis was unsettling, Phann knew she had made a positive impact on his course of care.

“When there’s a language barrier, patients aren’t able to fully express what they’ve been feeling. It was really empowering to see how eliminating that barrier allowed this patient to then get further care,” Phann says. “It speaks to how powerful it is to have bilingual or multilingual nurses when other resources aren’t available. We need more of us at the bedside.”

Around the country, Penn Nursing alumni are using multilingualism to improve patient outcomes in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and community health settings. They reduce longer lengths of stay and readmissions and increase patient satisfaction. They foster trust with patients and their families, and serve as strong advocates for multilingual patients and those with limited English proficiency.

“We live in a multilingual world. I say this to colleagues in the United States and in Latin America. We have to develop those skills,” says School of Nursing professor and Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing Antonia M. Villarruel.

Federal law requires free translation services be offered to those who need it—in person or remotely through, for example, a videoconference on a tablet. And even multilingual providers call on certified medical interpreters to navigate complex topics. However, Villarruel says, when a nurse converses and tends to basic needs in the patient’s native language, “there’s a benefit to that one-on-one connection. To be able to say ‘hi, how are you’ humanizes care.”

Bilingual nurse scientists also contribute with more inclusive research. For decades, studies left out people who aren’t fluent in English. Penn Nursing faculty and alumni are addressing that gap, designing solutions with everyone in mind.

Still, multilingual day-to-day communication is valuable, says Phann. “You’re not always going to be able to predict that you need a translator or an interpreter at the bedside. When I started working in the health care system, I realized that my languages were a huge bonus … and needed in this world.”

This story is by Janine White.
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-nursing-translation-services-patient-care
#metaglossia_mundus

AI teacher assistant tools generated more-punitive recommendations for students with Black-coded names, a study finds.

A new report shows AI teaching assistants could be beneficial in the classroom — but may also bring invisible bias.

"TYSONS, Va., May 15, 2025 -- The Academy of Interpretation (AOI) proudly announces the launch of its highly anticipated Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Professional Medical Interpreter (PMI) course. The first class debut was this past March, and this initiative aims to empower language professionals and organizations with the skills, tools, and strategies to deliver AOI's signature PMI course and elevate the standards of medical interpretation nationwide.

The PMI course is widely recognized for preparing interpreters to meet the rigorous demands of healthcare settings by developing essential skills in medical terminology, ethics, and real-time interpretation techniques. The new Training of Trainers program will prepare qualified educators with in-depth knowledge and teaching methods to guide future interpreters successfully.

The AOI offers flexible licensing packages for educational institutions, healthcare providers, and language service companies interested in incorporating PMI training into their professional development programs. The ToT is a hybrid program and includes asynchronous material and live sessions with trainers. Partners will gain exclusive access to:
Comprehensive training materials and instructional guides
Expert-led workshops and support sessions
Certification options for both trainers and their students

Sameh Abdelkader, Director of Education at the AOI, shared, "We are thrilled to launch this program and expand the reach of high-quality interpreter training through strong partnerships. By empowering other organizations to teach PMI, we aim to set a new standard for medical interpreting excellence and improve patient outcomes through better communication."

The ToT initiative helps organizations meet the growing demand for qualified medical interpreters and strengthens their role in shaping the next generation of language professionals.

Maria Teresa Buendia, Assistant Director of Education at AOI, added, "This program is designed to create a ripple effect of knowledge and expertise in the field of medical interpretation. We’ve just signed our first licensing agreement, and they already have a full class. We look forward to working with other organizations that share our passion for bridging language barriers in healthcare."

Contact AOI at support@academyofinterpretation.com or visit https://www.academyofinterpretation.com/trainingoftrainers/pmi

The Academy of Interpretation (AOI) is a leading organization in the language services industry, dedicated to professionalizing the field and maintaining high-quality standards. AOI offers education, training, and credentialing to interpreters, translators, and language professionals to ensure effective communication across linguistic and cultural divides."
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/05/15/3082414/0/en/Academy-of-Interpretation-Launches-Professional-Medical-Interpreting-PMI-Training-of-Trainers-Program.html
#metaglossia_mundus

Inspired by past educators, Aida Hadzovic has built a reputation for innovative teaching strategies for English. Hadzovic earned a degree in English education and later pursued a science degree in part because of the demand for science teachers in Brooklyn, New York. Her diverse background in teaching writing, science and coding positioned her well to participate in the Project Topeka pilot, a multifaceted AI program that gave real-time feedback to students to support the development of argumentative writing skills.

Google has rolled out new Gmail and Chat features to improve search experience with labels and related results.

The tech giant has introduced three features for accurate and customized search suggestions and results -- 'Search suggestions', 'Gmail labels' and 'Related results'.

These features do not have an admin control, the company said in a blogpost.

With 'Search suggestions' users can see search-query as they type in the Chat search field based on their prior search history. Additionally, it help users to quickly recall important messages, files, and more on mobile.

The Search suggestions feature is available on Android devices and will roll out to iOS devices by the end of October.

'Gmail labels' allow users to search messages under a specific Gmail label in the app to give results only under that label. Additionally, users can refine label searches using search chips in the Gmail search bar.

The labels feature is available on Android and iOS devices.

'Related results'Ais for Gmail search-queries that give no results, related results will be displayed to improve the overall search experience.

The result feature is only available on the web, the company said.

Meanwhile, recently, the company had announced that over 250 million monthly active devices were powered by Android Go, after the company declared the release of Android 13.

--IANS

aj/ksk/

The Trump administration moved on Tuesday to accelerate vaccinations of Americans against COVID-19, releasing the rest of the doses it had been keeping in reserve and recommending states immediately open inoculations to those aged 65 and over.  Federal and state health officials have scrambled in recent days to step up vaccination programs that had given shots to only 9.3 million Americans as coronavirus infections remain at record highs in many U.S. states nearly two weeks into the new year. Many U.S. states had strict rules in place giving shots to healthcare workers and nursing home residents first, telling “non-essential workers” they might wait months for their turn. “We’ve already distributed more vaccine than we have healthcare workers and people in nursing homes,” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told ABC News. “We’ve got to get to more channels of administration.” Roughly 27.5 million doses have been distributed by the U.S. government to states so far, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Azar said the outgoing administration, which had been keeping doses in reserve to make sure that all those who got a first inoculation receive their second shot on schedule, was now confident enough in the supply chain to release that stockpile. 

Last week, a spokesman for Joe Biden said the president-elect, who takes office on Jan. 20, would release more of the reserved doses. The pace of vaccinations has risen to 700,000 a day nationwide and was expected to hit 1 million a day within 10 days, officials said. “Michigan and states across the country remain ready to get more shots in arms, which is why the Trump Administration’s decision to grant our request and release millions of doses of the vaccine is so crucial,” Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. Whitmer, who had backed the lower vaccination age, is seeking permission from the U.S. government to purchase 100,000 vaccine doses directly from manufacturer Pfizer Inc.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the vaccine from Pfizer and partner BioNTech SE and a second vaccine from Moderna Inc for emergency use. As of Monday night, the United States had reported a total of 22.5 million coronavirus infections and 376,188 deaths during the pandemic, the most of any country. Nearly 130,000 Americans were hospitalized with COVID-19 at midnight on Monday.

GRIM SCENES AT CALIFORNIA HOSPITAL

A Reuters tally has shown that the number of COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization may have leveled off, at least temporarily, although public health officials warn that further spread may still be seen from holiday gatherings. California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly cited several promising trends in COVID metrics statewide in recent days, including a slowing in confirmed daily case numbers and a leveling off in positive tests. The number of new COVID hospitalizations statewide has fallen to about 2,500 admissions a day over the past two days from a daily average of about 3,500 admissions in previous days. Ghaly called that “the biggest signal to me that things are beginning to flatten and potentially improve."  Despite the encouraging statistics, staff at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, California, said that the situation was grim. “Where in the beginning we were overloaded with a lot of patients - we still have a lot of patients - but now it seems like they’re sicker than they’ve ever been before,” said Mary Mendy, executive director of acute care services at the hospital some 90 miles northeast of Los Angeles.  “And every day there’s Code Blues on the floor and more and more patients are updated to ICU. It’s devastating,” Mendy said. The latest surge has potentially been compounded by a more infectious variant of the virus first seen in the UK and now found in at least 10 U.S. states - California, Florida, New York, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Connecticut, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Texas.

"This year is the first time that more U.S. college students will learn entirely online compared to being fully in-person. And research shows most online programs cost as much or more than in-person."

How to spark AI creativity. Discover 5 unconventional AI prompting tactics to get bold, creative results. Plus 10 odd prompts to push AI beyond boring responses

Tectonic shifts in society and business occur when unexpected events force widespread experimentation around a new idea. During World War II, for instance, when American men went off to war, women proved that they could do “men’s” work — and do it well. Women never looked back after that. Similarly, the Y2K problem demanded the extensive use of Indian software engineers, leading to the tripling of employment-based visas granted by the U.S. Fixing that bug enabled Indian engineers to establish their credentials, and catapulted them as world leaders in addressing technology problems. Alphabet, Microsoft, IBM, and Adobe are all headed by India-born engineers today.
Right now, the Coronavirus pandemic is forcing global experimentation with remote teaching. There are many indicators that this crisis is going to transform many aspects of life. Education could be one of them if remote teaching proves to be a success. But how will we know if it is? As this crisis-driven experiment launches, we should be collecting data and paying attention to the following three questions about higher education’s business model and the accessibility of quality college education.
Do students really need a four-year residential experience?
Answering this question requires an understanding of which parts of the current four-year model can be substituted, which parts can be supplemented, and which parts complemented by digital technologies.
In theory, lectures that require little personalization or human interaction can be recorded as multi-media presentations, to be watched by students at their own pace and place. Such commoditized parts of the curriculum can be easily delivered by a non-university instructor on Coursera, for example; teaching Pythagoras’ theorem is pretty much the same the world over. For such courses, technology platforms can deliver the content to very large audiences at low cost, without sacrificing one of the important benefits of the face-to-face (F2F) classroom, the social experience, because there is hardly any in these basic-level courses.
By freeing resources from courses that can be commoditized, colleges would have more resources to commit to research-based teaching, personalized problem solving, and mentorship. The students would also have more resources at their disposal, too, because they wouldn’t have to reside and devote four full years at campuses. They would take commoditized courses online at their convenience and at much cheaper cost. They can use precious time they spend on campus for electives, group assignments, faculty office hours, interactions, and career guidance, something that cannot be done remotely. In addition, campuses can facilitate social networking, field-based projects, and global learning expeditions — that require F2F engagements. This is a hybrid model of education that has the potential to make college education more affordable for everybody.
But can we shift to a hybrid model? We’re about to find out. It is not just the students who are taking classes remotely, even the instructors are now forced to teach those classes from their homes. The same students and instructors that met until a few weeks back for the same courses, are now trying alternative methods. So, both parties can compare their F2F and remote experiences, all else held equal.
With the current experiment, students, professors, and university administrators must keep a record of which classes are benefiting from being taught remotely and which ones are not going so well. They must maintain chat rooms that facilitate anonymized discussions about the technology issues, course design, course delivery, and evaluation methods. These data points can inform future decisions about when — and why — some classes should be taught remotely, which ones should remain on the campus, and which within-campus classes should be supplemented or complemented by technology.
What improvements are required in IT infrastructure to make it more suitable for online education?
As so many of us whose daily schedules have become a list of virtual meetings can attest, there are hardware and software issues that must be addressed before remote learning can really take off. We have no doubt that digital technologies (mobile, cloud, AI, etc.) can be deployed at scale, yet we also know that much more needs to be done. On the hardware side, bandwidth capacity and digital inequalities need addressing. The F2F setting levels lots of differences, because students in the same class get the same delivery. Online education, however, amplifies the digital divide. Rich students have the latest laptops, better bandwidths, more stable wifi connections, and more sophisticated audio-visual gadgets.
Software for conference calls may be a good start, but it can’t handle some key functionalities such as accommodating large class sizes while also providing a personalized experience. Even in a 1,000-student classroom, an instructor can sense if students are absorbing concepts, and can change the pace of the teaching accordingly. A student can sense whether they are asking too many questions, and are delaying the whole class. Is our technology good enough to accommodate these features virtually? What more needs to be developed? Instructors and students must note and should discuss their pain points, and facilitate and demand technological development in those areas.
In addition, online courses require educational support on the ground: Instructional designers, trainers, and coaches to ensure student learning and course completion. Digital divide also exists among universities, which will become apparent in the current experiment. Top private universities have better IT infrastructure and higher IT support staff ratio for each faculty compared to budget-starved public universities.
What training efforts are required for faculty and students to facilitate changes in mindsets and behaviors?
Not all faculty members are comfortable with virtual classrooms and there is a digital divide among those who have never used even the basic audio-visual equipment, relying on blackboards and flipcharts, and younger faculty who are aware of and adept in newer technology. As students across the nation enter online classrooms in the coming weeks, they’re going to learn that many instructors are not trained to design multimedia presentations, with elaborate notations and graphics. Colleges and universities need to use this moment to assess what training is needed to provide a smooth experience.
Students also face a number of issues with online courses. Committing to follow the university calendar forces them to finish a course, instead of procrastinating it forever. And online they can feel as they don’t belong to a peer group or a college cohort, which in real life instils a sense of competition, motivating all to excel. Anything done online suffers from attention span, because students multi-task, check emails, chat with friends, and surf the Web while attending online lectures. We’re parents and professors; we know this is true.
Can these mindsets change? Right now we are (necessarily, due to social distancing) running trial and error experiments to find out. Both teachers and students are readjusting and recalibrating in the middle of teaching semesters. The syllabus and course contents are being revised as the courses are being taught. Assessment methods, such as exams and quizzes are being converted to online submissions. University administrators and student bodies are being accommodative and are letting instructors innovate their own best course, given such short notice. Instructors, students, and university administrators should all be discussing how the teaching and learning changes between day 1 of virtual education and day X. This will provide clues for how to train future virtual educators and learners.
A Vast Experiment
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced a global experiment that could highlight the differences between, and cost-benefit trade off of, the suite of services offered by a residential university and the ultra low-cost education of an online education provider like Coursera. Some years ago, experts had predicted that massive open online courses (MOOCs), such as Khan Academy, Coursera, Udacity, and edX, would kill F2F college education — just as digital technologies killed off the jobs of telephone operators and travel agents. Until now, however, F2F college education has stood the test of time.
The current experiment might show that four-year F2F college education can no longer rest on its laurels. A variety of factors — most notably the continuously increasing cost of tuition, already out of reach for most families, implies that the post-secondary education market is ripe for disruption. The coronavirus crisis may just be that disruption. How we experiment, test, record, and understand our responses to it now will determine whether and how online education develops as an opportunity for the future. This experiment will also enrich political discourse in the U.S. Some politicians have promised free college education; what if this experiment proves that a college education doesn’t have to bankrupt a person?
After the crisis subsides, is it best for all students to return to the classroom, and continue the status quo? Or will we have found a better alternative?