Category: Tech Tips

Yes it is!

Only 3 weeks to Thanksgiving break, 4 weeks to reading day and finals begin! But not to belabor that point here are some tips for keeping above water.

  • It is harder for your students, you’ve been here before
  • Calendar activities and set reminders
  • Make notes on what worked and what didn’t (this will help when you transition Fall 2019 BB courses to Canvas Fall 2020)
  • Make lists, there are various programs and apps which can be used to help keep you on track, many available through Office 365  such as To Do, OneNote, Class Notebook, and Teams.  Get used to using One Drive to store your files as you can link them with Canvas.
  • Take a break and watch a funny video, movie or walk outside!

What are your tips???

 

 

 

 

Skype Retires

Reporting from Austin, Texas at the Mediasite Experience User Conference.

November 1, 2019, campus will switch from Skype for Business to Teams, Microsoft’s all-in-one, collaboration and communication replacement for Skype.

Microsoft Teams boasts many more convenient messaging features, like

  • Individual chat. Message any of your contacts and pick up the conversation anytime, anywhere even if it was last week, last month or this morning.
  • Teams chat. Create a “channel” within a project team so everyone can trade ideas together.
  • Office app integration. See this Microsoft article for both desktop and mobile app features.
  • Share Files. Just like Skype, you can attach files to a chat.

Everything you need to communicate and collaborate – all in one platform. Microsoft has taken the best of Skype and added many new features.

On November 1, rather than the usual Skype for Business login, you’ll see this dialog box announcing that ECU has made the switch from Skype for Business to Teams.

Just click the Go to Teams button to make the switch on your computer.

Click here for more information!

Be safe on the go!

Since it is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month “When you’re traveling— whether domestic or international—it is always important to practice safe online behavior and take proactive steps to secure
Internet-enabled devices. The more we travel, the more we are at risk for cyberattacks. #BeCyberSmart and use these tips to
connect with confidence while on the go.

Security While Traveling

You’ve heard about it, read about it, now

Come and See the Virtual Reality Lab at Laupus Library.

Using the VR Lab

The stations may be reserved individually or together for group or class projects. For users needing help developing programs or VR renderings, expert consultations are available upon request.

To use the facility, each VR user must attend a 20-minute orientation session, for which one can sign up in advance. Please contact vr@ecu.edu to request an orientation session. Observers are not required to take orientation.

Still available, easy to use and here’s a new feature!

Turning Point and location-based attendance, see how it’s done!

Here’s an interesting article using the tool Increase participation by reducing anxiety 

Polling Options

As an instructor, you can create instant polling questions from Web content, PDF’s, Microsoft Office products, whiteboards and more. In addition, you can create and save quizzes or create interactive presentations in a PowerPoint format. Grades from polled responses can also be downloaded into the Blackboard Grade Center.

Clicker & Receiver Options

Instructors may choose to have students purchase a physical clicker or by allowing them to respond using the free TurningPoint mobile app. Mobile device polling comes at no additional out-of-pocket cost to students. From https://itcs.ecu.edu/services/educational-technologies/clickers/

Take a Break?

Now that summer session is almost closed you may be able to take a bit of a break before we head into a new school year!  But before you go here are some tips to keep in mind.

Backup, File, Protect, Mark, Track, Find and Power!  More on these from this site.

Lots of good travel apps out there here are a few from PC Mag and one to keep in touch in most countries WhatsApp and don’t forget to share some of your pics on Instagram and Twitter!

Bon voyage!

Happy 4th of July!

Mid week break but some may make it a long weekend. The migration to Outlook 365 and Office 365 gives you access to your One Drive for storing files and content relevant to your courses.  Tutorial on syncing files on your OneDrive.

OneDrive for Business cloud storage is available through your Office 365 subscription and alumni email. Features include:

  • Sync. Choose which files are automatically uploaded to OD4B through the sync client. Folders shared with you can also be synced.
  • Store. 5TB for non-sensitive files.
  • Access. Synced files are available from a work, personal or mobile device.
  • Share and Collaborate. Share files or folders with ECU and non-ECU users.
  • Edit. Edit files online using Office Web Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Shared files can be simultaneously edited by multiple users.
  • Create. Create new documents within OneDrive using the Office Web Apps.
  • Learning Tools. Improve reading and writing skills using read aloud features, immersive reader and other comprehension tools. Learn more from Microsoft’s Learning Tools page.

OneDrive for Business (OD4B) is approved for storage and sharing of general research and academic information (e.g., FERPA but NOT SSN). OneDrive is not approved for storage of sensitive data,