Category: Instruction

Clicker Technology is Alive and Well!

With the change from Turning Point to Turning Cloud I have not had many requests for use of this neat technology.  I still have many clickers that can be borrowed and  the latest version of TurningPoint Cloud will allow for anyone to pass out clickers to get anonymous responses that they can display immediately on the screen. Clickers only have to be licensed now if you want to collect the response data (quizzes, attendance, etc.).

If you would like to collect responses there is a free app called Socrative!  I posted about it last year and one of your colleagues is using it this semester.  From their website “Socrative is your classroom app for fun, effective classroom engagement. No matter where or how you teach, Socrative allows you to instantly connect with students as learning happens.

Quickly assess students with prepared activities or on-the-fly questions to get immediate insight into student understanding. Then use auto-populated results to determine the best instructional approach to most effectively drive learning.”

Want a demo?  Contact this office.

Resources which may help you and your students!

Student Blackboard Support

Faculty Blackboard Start of Semester Tips

Embedding Mediasite into Blackboard

Video Release Form

Requirements for Viewing a Mediasite Presentation

DE Orientation

SABA Web Conferencing

Using Pirate Port

Using VPN to Connect Remotely

Using Online Tools

Just to get you started! and here is the answer to one of many questions how to add an Instructor or TA to your BB course.

  1. Make sure Edit Mode is ON
  2. Click on the Users and Groups area of the Control Panel
  3. Click on Users
  4. Click on Enroll Users and select Find Users to Enroll from the drop down
  5. On the Add Enrollments page, enter the teaching assistant’s or instructor’s username (do NOT include their email address)
  6. Select the appropriate role from the dropdown (course builder, grader, student, instructor, student or teaching assistant)
  7. click on Submit

Break in the heat, summer session has been put to rest and fall is just around the corner!

A few years ago I did the countdown to fall semester.  I received various comments and some groans but in less than 3 weeks we have many new students and returning students headed into our classrooms so are a few resources to check out!  Some BB tips and some connecting with others in and around the classroom!

Profiles

Blackboard Calendar

InLine Grading with Blackboard 

Smart Podiums in the Classrooms

AirMedia Tool

Lecture Capture

SABA

Web Conferencing with WebEx

Skype for Business

I am stealing from Rutgers Office of Instructional & Research Technology

But it says it all! From https://oirt.rutgers.edu/end-of-semester-tips-for-instructors-using-lmss-learning-management-systems/

There is a lot for instructors to keep track of at the end of the semester.  Here are some tips on how to avoid some of the common problems we see instructors run into at the end of the semester:

  1. Get your Gradebook in order.
    If you have any questions about setting up your gradebook, setting up extra credit, or excluding some items for specific students, it is much easier to get help now than it will be during the rush period at the end of the semester.
  2. Make sure your Final Exams are setup with the settings that are the least likely to cause issues.
    The Internet is a wonderful thing that still fails on a regular basis. With the right settings, you can make sure that a small connection issue doesn’t cause you or your students major headaches.
  3. Make sure all assignments are setup correctly and clearly so students can submit their work.
    Which tool(s) are you using for assignments? Did you want to have SafeAssign review the paper? Make sure you have the settings correct!
  4. Are you planning on allowing some or all students to make up missed work?
    Many tools can all be set up to allow a student to take them after the due date, or even retake them in some cases, but each tool requires specific settings to allow this to happen.
  5. Preparing for a summer course? Want to reuse some of the material from your spring or earlier course?
    There’s no reason to reinvent the wheel every semester. Reuse your best material by duplicating an existing site.

So why Tweet?

Or why not?  I will admit I have not embraced this technology but I am exploring it’s use in higher ed and have found some articles which tempt me to continue in this endeavor.  If you use “tweets” as part of your class or were thinking of incorporating them into class let me know and we can explore together.

Some articles which may help you get started:

10 Twitter Tips for Higher Education | University Business Magazine

Tweeting alternative to Discussion Board

Tweeting in Higher Education: Best Practices | EDUCAUSE

Inviting a Guest to Speak

I often get the request to assist with enabling a guest speaker to present to a class from outside the college.  We do have SABA web conferencing software which easily allows guests to share content but often the technology gets a bit frustrating for some guests.  Did you know that in recent versions of Skype a guest can present their desktop i.e. PowerPoint, word files etc.  Easy to use, and easy to test. Questions?  Contact OET.

So what are you doing?

Please share here with a comment or send me an email, have you tried something different this semester, is it working or did it bomb?  Have you heard of a new  or old tool that you want to try?  

When talking to CAHS students recently one comment that was made was how some faculty really make you think and solve problems.  What are some ways you get students to “go outside of the box”?

Let’s make this a collaborative effort, please share!

New Year? New Semester? Update Course?

As the ITC for our college I can do more than monitor room recordings.  The ITC page on the OFE website describes “The role of the ITC is to promote, support, and help integrate digital technologies into learning and teaching at East Carolina University and to empower faculty members in the use of technology in education. . .assist in the use of Blackboard for course material delivery, advise on the organization and presentation of course materials, support the creation and presentation of multimedia components, and teach web page creation and design. They must be able to make creative proposals for course design, supervise projects, direct personnel, and carry through from design to course delivery.”

So take advantage of my skill set and let me help you try something different with your course or maybe just a bit of tweaking!

They might not know as much as you think

Tech wise that is.  According to a recent article I read in Campus Technology “American millennials (those between the ages of 16 and 34) may be the first generation that grew up with computers and Internet access, but all that time spent glued to a small screen hasn’t translated to technology competence. While they spend an average of 35 hours every week on digital media, nearly six out of 10 millennials can’t do basic tasks such as sorting, searching for and emailing data from a spreadsheet.’ (http://campustechnology.com/articles/2015/06/11/report-6-of-10-millennials-have-low-technology-skills.aspx)  Distance Ed students can find many resources here and you can also use Lynda.com to help students build skills.  Questions?  Contact OET.