IT’s a Wrap! 2012/05/09
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With the close of Spring Semester here are some reminders for start of semester (I know Spring just ended!)-
- Copy/collapse your courses from past semesters for summer session, info at BB on how to do this easy task.
- Submit your mediasite recording form or request for release of past recordings. Contact the OET for form and or additional information
- If you are interested in using the “clickers” for your class please advise the OET what dates, times and rooms you will need the equipment.
- Advise OET of any special software that should be loaded onto classroom computers.
- If you have a guest speaker whose voice needs reinforcement contact the OET to reserve their voice reinforcement system.
- For those conducting online office hours or class meetings with Centra make your reservation at this link http://centra.aos.ecu.edu/ or
- Download Microsoft Communicator http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/communicator2007/index.cfm as another way to have real time communication with your class, the OET has webcam/microphones for loan.
Contact the OET for assistance in your start of semester preparations!
Here’s a cure for the Summer Session Class Blues! 2012/04/25
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Try something new in your classroom! OET can supply you with tips and tools to help cure those blues!
Let’s start with clickers, a/k/a Audience Response Systems and here at ECU we use Turning Point.
Students make their selection on a “clicker” and you project your “audience’s” response in your PowerPoint! Audience Response System aka “Clicker Technology” is a great way to evaluate if your “audience” is getting it! All classrooms at Allied Health have the Turning Point Audience Response System Software installed. Our office has receivers and clickers for loan. Put the two together and you have a great tool for content or test review. They are used when discussing sensitive topics to students opinions and input. Team challenges are another way to test students’ knowledge and comprehension. They can also be integrated with Blackboard’s Gradebook for attendance and quizzes.
Stop by OET’s office for a demo of this easy to use and “fun” product!
What is everyone talking about? 2012/04/18
Posted by Jean in Tech Tips.comments closed
Not talking but Yammer!!! Lot’s of great ways to use this tool. Think about incorporating it into your Summer classes. Training sessions are offered via ITCS training calendar or via OET’s training calender. Yammer with it’s recent acquisition will soon allow desktop sync capability and file folder sharing. Click here to find out more!
All locked up! 2012/04/04
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Not your test in Blackboard but your student’s ability to access information on their computer while taking a test. Lockdown browsers when run on a computer prevents the student from printing, copying, screen capturing a test. Students are also unable to navigate to other locations within their Course Management System or on the Internet. Securexam is one type of lockdown browser being used by some departments and the university is also looking at Respondus LockDown browser. Contact OET if you would like to see a demo of either of these lockdown systems.
27, 26, 25, 24 . . . . 2012/03/28
Posted by Jean in Allied Health, Blackboard, Tech Tips.comments closed
Not just days until I leave for Sicily but to the end of the semester! Spring semester is winding down so here are a few end of semester tips/reminders:
SafeAssignments – when using this tool in Blackboard make sure you “Synchronize your Course” whenever you deploy a Safe Assignment so that it checks against the most current database.
Grade Center – need assistance in weighting grades contact OET! Remember that anytime you download grades (work offline) you must save that file to a piratedrive location not your desktop, laptop, personal home computer or unencrypted devices. A lost or compromised device could result in unauthorized release of student records.
Test Creation – need to convert a test created in word to Blackboard use Respondus to make this an easy transition.
Course/Content Copy for Summer Semester – you can request BB to do this or select the components you want copied via Packages and Utilities.
Want to explore new tools, devices, programs? Contact OET to help with your exploration!
Agree Strongly? Disagree Somewhat? No Opinion? 2012/03/21
Posted by Jean in Allied Health, Tech Tips.comments closed
Today is Wednesday and the day I send out my blog. Had not prepared it yet and was perusing my various readers, feeds, yammer and twitter accounts for ideas and found one on my Yammer feed (that’s for another blog)!
ECU offers lots of tools for sharing information as well as obtaining information. One very handy and user friendly tool is Qualtrics Survey Software. Qualtrics is a web-based survey software for East Carolina University faculty, staff and students. There is lots of training, tutorials and webinars available from Qualtrics on how to use this powerful but easy to use tool. OET has helped create surveys for CAHS departments if you would rather pick OET’s brain than read the tutorials!
So you took the leap! 2012/03/14
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Continuing on my lecture capture dialogue one caveat to remember is that law we all must abide by, COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT! To quote from my colleague Bob Fainter’s post of last year “There be dragons“!
Questions and information about copyright issues can be found here, contact Beth Winstead ECU’s Copyright Officer with questions or check out the FAQ site which may just help you out!
Take the Leap! 2012/02/29
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Into Lecture Capture! The CAHS has two lecture capture options, Mediasite is located in rooms 1305, 1335, 1340, 1345, 1410, 2305, 2345, 2365 and 3405. Tegrity, currently being tested, is now located in 2330, 2350, 2425 and 3350. The only requirement for the instructor is to put on the mic, make sure it is turned on and for Tegrity users press “Record a Class” on their Tegrity link.
Contact OET for demonstrations in either Mediasite or Tegrity.
Dropbox not Blackboard 2012/02/22
Posted by Jean in Tech Tips.comments closed
You know it is no longer a part of Blackboard but a handy software program that let’s you share files. Here are just a few of the things that can be done with the Dropbox program:
File Sync – Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically.
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2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.
File Sharing – Sharing files is simple and can be done with only a few clicks.
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Shared folders allow several people to collaborate on a set of files.
Online Backup – 
Dropbox backs up your files online without you having to think about it. (more…)
Taking a break . . . 2012/02/08
Posted by Jean in Allied Health.comments closed
From my usual tips etc. and wanted to share a great program available through ECU that I participated in last summer the “ECU Strawberries on 903 CSA” program. Great way to go outside your food “box”.
COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE
Subscribers will receive a box of produce each week of a 12 week season, running from May through July. The assortment of produce will vary throughout the season and contain a wide variety of seasonal items.
Due to the unpredictability of farming, we cannot guarantee any specific item. We do not customize individual boxes although fresh eggs and cut flowers will be optional for the subscribers.
Subscribers can purchase a Community Supported Agriculture Agreement – Grower Agreement for $240 (12 weeks @ $20/week). The prices of the produce will reflect retail values of seasonal items. (more…)