This and That

Email Evolves – From Information Technology and Computing Services –

Over the next few months, ECU is modernizing faculty and staff email. There are four steps to this remodel:

  • Enable the new cloud-based Online Archive folder
  • Switch to Office 365 Exchange Online Protection
  • Move Enterprise Vault items back to your mailbox
  • Migrate staff mailboxes to Office 365

Using your OneDrive – Alyssa De Santis Figiel our University Program Associate recently share the photos from the Scholarship Ceremony another way to share files with colleagues without having to set up special permissions, find out more about using Office 365 and what it can do here.

Why should I upgrade to Windows 10?

Well it will happen to your desktop sooner than later.  So here are some reasons to just do it!

From PC Mag  “The key takeaway, however, is this: In most of the things that really matter—speed, security, interface, compatibility, and software tools—Windows 10 is a vast improvement over its forbears.

Reasons to upgrade to Windows 10
  • Speed. Startup and more. …
  • The Start Menu. …
  • Cortana. …
  • Universal Apps. …
  • Touch. …
  • Action Center. …
  • A Better Browser. …
  • Security.

Contact help desk with a request to upgrade, if not now perhaps once the semester has ended so you have the summer to become acquainted!

 

Guest Speaker Tips and Tricks

As instructors you have a wealth of information but sometimes there is someone who may be an “expert” on a topic and having them share their experiences and knowledge can be priceless.  Some things to consider when hosting a guest speaker, first will they be lecturing on site or virtually.  Depending on their location please follow these guidelines –

On site – check if they are bringing their own laptop and whether it is a Mac or PC.  If the class content is to be lecture captured there are certain “dongles” which must be connected to do this.  Find out what else they might need in presenting their content.  Ask if they can arrive 15 minutes early so that we can help get them set up prior to the start of class.

Virtually – all general classrooms have microphones and cameras to connect virtually.  OET has webcams with tripods which also can be installed.  ECU supports the use of SABA and WebEx for virtual meetings.  Skype can be used with an online login and content can be presented using Skype.  If the speaker is initiating the call there are many systems that can be used.  Best practice have a practice call prior to the class session.

Need more information contact OET.

Working together?

At a recent meeting with the Instructional Technology Consultant’s (ITC’s) of the university we were introduced to Microsoft Teams.  Before I tell you what Teams can do think about this scenario you are involved in multiple projects with multiple people within and outside of ECU wouldn’t it be nice to have all correspondence, files etc in one spot which also allows you to quick chat/comment on something rather than sending emails? Well . . .

Microsoft Teams is a messaging app for teams where all conversations, meetings, files, and notes can be accessed by everyone, all in one place. It’s a place for collaboration and work to happen in the open.

Here’s why you should use it:

  • It makes communicating one-on-one and with groups a snap.
  • Collaboration happens in real time.
  • Everything your team cares about (all your files, docs, contact info, and more) is in one place.

One college has been using it and here is a quote from their ITC “Now that the planner can be integrated into Teams, it is a great way to use both tools at once. I have also integrated a notebook into the team, which also helps keep everything in one place. I haven’t gotten everyone into the chat feature, but the organization part seems to be a nice way to at least get people started in the right direction, at least for us.”

They are not missing their connectors.

Slide advancer and pointer are installed in all general classrooms and the USB connector is plugged directly into the back of the room computer and are NOT missing.  There is a switch on the side to turn it off/on.  Please leave in the classroom for your colleagues to use.  One note though if you are recording your class the laser pointer does not show up in the recordings it is better to use the mouse and or pen attached to the monitor.  Need to borrow one for a room not equipped?  Contact this office.

Check out the New Clicker! or keep it simple!

All ECU Students Licensed

Just like in the fall, all ECU students have access to a Turning Account license. This license enables ECU students to use the TurningPoint Mobile app to respond to TurningPoint polls at no additional cost to the student. Additionally, students are able to purchase unlicensed clickers (available at the ECU students store) at a reduced rate because they no longer have to purchase a clicker that’s bundled with a license.

New QT2 Clicker

In the fall, Turning Technologies released a new clicker that includes a full keypad. This next-generation clicker will enable students to respond to text-based polls more quickly. Please feel free to follow this link for more information on the new QT2 clicker (or as I’ve been calling it, the blackberry clicker):

https://www.turningtechnologies.com/response-options/qt2

It’s important to note, however, that the old NXT clickers that have been used on campus for more than 6 years are still fully compatible with TurningPoint and will continue to work for students who already have them.

New User Registration

Even though all students have access to a Turning Account License, that license must be claimed and registered in Blackboard before that student’s results will appear to the instructor. Also, any student using a physical clicker must register the Device ID on the back of their clicker to their Turning Account in Blackboard in order for the software to know which clicker they’re using. Please share with your students the tutorial link below on how to claim the Turning Account license and, if applicable, register their physical clicker.

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/clickers/upload/TurningRegistrationInstructions_ECU_1.pdf

Note: Students who completed this registration process in the fall, do not need to do it again for the spring.

Clicker Resource Page

In case you missed the Technology Newsletter

WebEx and Skype: Is There a Difference?

Yes! Two great tools for different scenarios

With both WebEx Cloud and Skype for Business available to ECU users, how do you pick the right online meeting solution? Both tools share collaboration tools, audio and video options, scheduling through Outlook and a “Meet Now” feature.

However, there are also differences that make the choice clear depending on your requirements. Here’s how you can decide which is the best tool for your meeting.

Skype

Skype is part of the Office 365 download and is available to students, faculty and staff. It is currently ECU’s standard for instant messaging and desktop sharing. It is used to determine another user’s “presence” through Outlook – not available (red), green (available), yellow (away from the computer).

Read more

Some quick reminders and links as we start a new semester in a new year!  Startup tips from BB can be found here. 

Course Copy, Merge, – Merge and Copy

Make Available –

  • Control Panel > Customization > Properties > Set Availability > Yes

Add instructor, TA to course –

  • Control Panel > Users and Groups > User > Find User to Enroll > type username only in the box > change role if needed, and then Submit.
  • If that does not work, please send an email to ecublackboard@ecu.edu with the username and role (TA or instructor). The Blackboard team will add your TA or instructor.

Mediasite Desktop Recording – click here

Embed Mediasite into Blackboard – click here

Reusing Mediasite Recordings? – go to Control Panel, Mediasite Options and Click Submit to update the Spring Semester Settings.

Saba Web Conferencing – click here

WebEx – click here

Turning Point Cloud – click here

Using Turning Point  in Allied Health – contact OET

Yammer – click here

Lockdown Browser – click here

Some tools to consider Voice Thread and Blackboard New Inline Grading Tool.

Anything else?  Contact OET for assistance!

Welcome back!