The Tech Savvy Professor
The Tech Savvy Professor, hosted by Dr. Marty Jencius (Kent State University) and Dr. Eric Perry (Keiser University), are two professors' love for all things technology. TSP will be brief weekly conversations regarding what technology they are currently enjoying. You'll get helpful ideas of great software, apps, and hardware as they can be used in your academic and non-academic life.
Episodes
Eric and Marty speak about how to get things out of your email and into your workflow
The Built-In Tools: Mail Rules
Faculty Guide: Managing Outlook Email Effectively
https://helpdesk.lsua.edu/support/solutions/articles/48001276836-faculty-guide-managing-outlook-email-effectively
Set Up Rules in Apple Mail
https://www.macuncle.com/blog/set-up-rules-in-apple-mail/
10 Essential Outlook Rules to Amplify Your Productivity
https://exclaimer.co...
Eric and Marty return to TSP and talk about their favorite new hardware.
EPOMAKER TH108 PRO Full Size Mechanical Keyboard with Screen & Knob, Wireless Gaming Keyboard
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FVLS8Z9B
MacBook Neo - Apple
https://www.apple.com/macbook-neo/
Plaud Note Al Voice Recorder, Note Taker w/Case, App Control, Transcribe & Summarize with Al
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZX48H2Z
MOKiN 10Gbps USB C Hub Ethernet, 7 in 1 USB ...
Marty and Eric give their tips and resources for how faculty can create, edit, and publish professional-quality video.
Platform-Specific Video Creation Tools
macOS Tools
Final Cut Pro – https://support.apple.com/guide/final-cut-pro/welcome/mac
iMovie – https://support.apple.com/guide/imovie/welcome/mac
ScreenFlow – https://www.telestream.net/screenflow/overview.htm
Ecamm Live – https://www.ecamm.com
Windows Tools
Ca...
Eric and Marty talk about how they use their phones, tablets and laptops at work
Articles & Resources
Using Mac and iPad Together: Tips and Tricks
https://education.apple.com/resource/250012976
How I turned my iPad into a work machine
How to Integrate Tablets into Existing Workflows
https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/knowledgebase/how-to-integrate-tablets-into-existing-workflows/
Marty and Eric talk about ways in which you can plan, organize, execute your digital academic brand.
Helpful Tools for Academic Websites & E-Portfolios
Website Builders:
- WordPress – https://wordpress.com
- Squarespace – https://www.squarespace.com
- Wix – https://www.wix.com
Academic-Focused Platforms:
- Google Sites – https://sites.google.com
- Notion – https://www.notion.so
- Weebly for Education &ndash...
Eric and Marty diving into classroom polling and quiz apps—like Poll Everywhere, Mentimeter, and others—that allow professors to gather instant student feedback. Live polls inject interactivity into lectures and have been shown to improve attention, participation, and retention.
Quick Tips for Success:
· Integrate polls directly into PowerPoint or Keynote (Poll Everywhere plug-in).
·&nbs...
Marty and Eric look at tools that organize, polish, and publish your academic work — balancing power, simplicity, and ethical use.
All-in-One Writing and Organization
Scrivener – Powerful long-form writing, corkboard planning, manuscript export.
https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener
Manuscripts App – Simplified alternative to Scrivener with structure tools.
https://www.manuscriptsapp.com/
We’ve all been the “go-to tech person” in our department. Colleagues often ask for help with software or hardware, and while it can feel rewarding, it can also be frustrating. This episode explores how to balance being supportive with keeping your sanity intact.
The 7 Rules for Teaching Colleagues about tech
1. Start with purpose, not features. Ask: “What do you want this to help you do this week?”
2. O...
Marty and Eric provide ideas and resources for your consideration is using project management software
Why move past email?
Email buries decisions/files in long threads.
Slack (real-time chat + threads) + a project manager (kanban/tasks/timelines) make work visible, searchable, and faster.
Slack is already common in higher ed for communication and collaborative learning; pairing it with a project manager levels up coordination.
30-minut...
Just in time for the start of the semester, Marty and Eric talk about ways you can organize and manage your document backups
The Simple Backup Plan (3-2-1)
Rule: 3 copies, 2 types of storage, 1 off-site.
Step-by-step (7 steps)
Make a home base: Create folders: Teaching, Research, Service, Admin.
Turn on encryption: FileVault (Mac) / BitLocker (Win).
Cloud copy (off-site): Save active work inside OneDrive/Google Drive/Box (edu account). M...
Eric and Marty talk about how to make virtual meetings effective with students and colleagues
The New Normal – Virtual Office Hours
How virtual office hours are becoming more common post-pandemic.
Benefits: Accessibility for online/hybrid students, schedule flexibility for faculty.
Tech tools that support flexible scheduling (Calendly, Bookings, Google Appointment Slots).
Best practices:
- Set clear boundaries (availability, respon...
Marty and Eric speak about the state of AR and VR in education and speculate on the future.
A new computer uses AR glasses to create a 100- inch virtual workspace
https://qz.com/spacetop-g1-first-look-hands-on-ar-vr-1851509236
Project Aura
Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest 3: In-Depth Comparison and Review 2025
https://ts2.tech/en/apple-vision-pro-vs-meta-quest-3-in-depth-comparison-and-review-2025/
Website...
Eric and Marty review tips for using reference managers for scholarship and some of the experiences they have had using them.
Getting Started
Pick One & Stick With It
Both tools are excellent—Zotero is known for openness and simplicity, Mendeley integrates tightly with PDFs and is Elsevier-backed. Try both, but avoid switching mid-project.
Install the Browser Connector
The Zotero and Mendeley browser plugins let you grab citat...
Eric and Marty talk about monitors and their office and travel setups for monitors
Eric
Home: https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/gaming/49-odyssey-oled-g95sc-dqhd-neo-quantum-processor-pro-0-03ms-240hz-curved-smart-gaming-monitor-ls49cg954snxza/
Travel - fits my 17” screen: https://www.amazon.com/siaviala-Portable-Ultra-Slim-Extension-Compatible/dp/B0D3646F12
Marty
Home Office:
Dell 3218HN
https://us.amazon.co...
Marty and Eric talk about their approaches to testing coursework online.
Fun Stuff? - Kahoot!
ProProfs
https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/browse
Rubrics
https://www.quickrubric.com/r#/create-a-rubric
Rubrics with ChatGPT
https://blog.tcea.org/how-to-create-a-rubric-with-chatgpt/
ChatGPT
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-KAxQZe7ON-rubric-generator
Quizlet
Quizlet.com ...
Marty and Eric each speak about how they manage their communications with students and colleagues along with what we wished we could do.
Macstock
Macstockconferenceandexpo.com
ThePodTalk.Net
Eric and Marty speak about devices they use for capturing audio and video when working with clients of sampling their teaching.
Client options for recording
Plaud AI
Samson Portable Mic
https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Mic-Portable-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B001R76D42?th=1
DJI Mic Mini
https://www.amazon.com/DJI-Microphone-Ultralight-Detail-Rich-Cancelling/dp/B0DDL8WGH5
RODE wireless GO Gen 3
https://www.amazo...
Eric and Marty talk about the reasons and ways to use VPNs to protect your access to internet.
Topic for this episode : VPNs
Security and Privacy
Look for a strict no-logs policy and strong AES-256 encryption.
Choose VPNs that support secure protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN.
Essential features: kill switch and DNS leak protection.
Server Network
A large number of servers across many countries ensures better access a...
Eric and Marty Join forces again to start up the Tech Savvy Professor once more. This episode features discussion of tech and services we have been relying on since we last braodcast, and Marty talks about wireless mics and upcoming show ideas.
DJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case), Wireless Microphone for iPhone/Camera/Android, Ultralight, Detail-Rich Audio, 48h Use, Noise Cancelling, Automatic Limiting, Vlog, Streaming
Marty and Eric reflect on the tech that surprised and inspired them this year with a look toward the future.
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