AI Resources for Students Spotlighted at 2023 Tech Fair

More than 2,030 student interactions were one outcome of the 2023 Tech Fair. Another outcome is that many students learned about some of the technology resources and services available to them at UFIT’s largest outreach event. Veronica Rams is a student who stopped by the event.

“GitHub Web Flow is so cool and useful when it comes to learning how to make a good website, since learning HTML was a bit hard,” Rams said.

This year’s Tech Fair focused on helping students utilize AI and online tools while completing their undergraduate degrees to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. Students learned how to use LinkedIn Learning’s Learning Paths, tried out new AI drawing software with the help of UFIT’s instructional designers, and got their tech issues solved from the expert staff in the UFIT Help Desk tent. Students also also learned how AI evaluates their resumes, courtesy of the Career Connections Center. Marston Science Library brought out 3D printers and rentable technologies available. Victoria Garcia, an Innovation Academy student, appreciated the display.

“I learned about 3D printing and where they have printers which are helpful for my classes.”

For any questions about Tech Fair, email UFIT Communications at it-comm@ufl.edu!

Tenth Anniversary of Tech Fair!

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Tech Fair, UFIT’s largest annual outreach event, features experiential activities that focus on helping students utilize AI and online tools.

Students can get advice and support on setting up their e-Portfolios, improve their digital literacy, meet with C3 staff to learn how AI programs evaluate resumes, and see what’s available in the Marston Science Library Makery. Students can also get assistance with campus tech such as help with Wi-Fi (eduroam), setting up GatorMail on their phone, and learning what software is available for free or at seriously discounted prices.

2023 Tech Fair
Wednesday, Feb. 22
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tech Fair is held in Tech Plaza, the space created by Marston and the CSE Building. (Look for the tents!) In addition to getting help with campus tech that could boost your future plans, students could win a Tribit Stormbox Bluetooth Speaker or a Roku Ultra Streaming Device just for answering the Tech Fair survey. Students with questions about Tech Fair are welcome to email it-comm@ufl.edu. See you on Tech Plaza!

Experiential Tech Fair: Feb. 23-24

Listening to student feedback, 2022 will be the first time Tech Fair is a two-day event. So, if your lunchtime schedule (11am – 1pm) is full on Wednesday, Feb. 23, you can stop by on Thursday, Feb. 24. This year’s experiential Tech Fair has a twist: participants are solely focused on helping students successfully get to the next level.  Whether that means your first full-time job up the career ladder, a coveted internship, or being offered a place in the graduate program of your choice, stop by Tech Fair!  UFIT is partnering with the Career Connections Center (C3) to enhance the expertise offered in the event tents.  Here are two examples of what’s available at the 2022 Tech Fair:

  1. ePortfolios                                                                                                                                 Get expert assistance and recommendations on which app to use to build your professional ePortfolio. In addition to learning how to best showcase your skills and experience technically, our partnership with the C3 means that a content expert will also be on hand to answer your questions and offer suggestions for making your ePortfolio stand out to recruiters.
  2. LinkedIn Learning                                                                                                                      Always a part of Tech Fair, this year the LinkedIn Learning tent will feature an education technology expert to help you build a course list to assist you on your professional journey. In addition, we’ll have a curated list available that focuses on building a LinkedIn profile to get you noticed, using LinkedIn to network, and videos to help you prepare for an interview.  UFIT provides LinkedIn Learning free to students, faculty, and staff.

The 2022 Tech Fair will also have AI-focused experts on hand to answer career planning  questions and discuss apps that could enhance your job market value. More information about Tech Fair will be posted regularly on UFIT’s Twitter and Instagram channels.