IRT: News & Events: TechUpdates: May 03 2005

Monday, May 9 at noon:
The first will be on the topic Web Blogs and WebCT. There has been a lot of hype over the last few months about blogs (web logs) and blogging. This seminar will demystify the technology, and demonstrate the difference between blogs and the tools available in WebCT. (Hint: They're really complementary.) Discussion on pedagogical uses.

Wednesday, May 11 at noon:
What if you could drop all the multimedia content you create for a course into a drop box as you create it, and then make that content available to your students through a single URL? And whatever is Podcasting about? If either of these questions tweaks your interest, come learn about some exciting new, hot-off-the-assembly-line technologies that IRT has put in service. This seminar is called Multimedia Content Syndication and Podcasting.

Bring own your brown bag lunch. We'll supply soda and dessert. Reserve a spot at webct@drexel.edu.

2. Spam: A Nuisance That Keeps on Growing

Despite intense efforts by Drexel and other Internet gatekeepers, the flood of unsolicited and sometimes offensive email seems to grow every week.

According to Drexel's postmaster, the current spate of unwanted missives is getting in because spammers have learned to circumvent the impressive array of spam blockers on email servers. Drexel blocks almost 95 percent of incoming email connections before they even transmit a byte. However, the 5 percent that's left still adds up to a lot of unwanted messages.

What can you do?

Never respond to spam. A response gets you on somebody's active list, and may also install spyware and other nastiness on your computer.
Send any particularly egregious examples, including all the funky header stuff, to spamreports@drexel.edu. IRT will try to block the source.
Stay tuned. IRT will install another layer of antispam software this summer. We'll keep you informed and let you know when and if we need you to take action.

3. (Re-)Introducing DUNX1

Do you need extra storage space? Are you required to work on files both at Korman or another on-campus site and at home? If so, DUNX1, the Academic Unix Server run by IRT, might be the answer to your questions.

Everyone who has a Drexel computer account has the option to claim space on DUNX1. For details, see http://www.drexel.edu/irt/support/pickup_dunx1.html.

Users can select from options ranging from a simple login account providing file transfer to a number of "shell" environments which grant direct login access. A short tutorial is available at http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/services/workshops/unix/index.html.

There are a variety of uses for this special account:

First, you have up to 100 Mb of additional personal file storage space, including web space, which is accessible from anywhere you can ftp. If you need remote access to files from a variety of locations, store a copy in your DUNX1 space. Drexel faculty and staff also can use this space to create personal web pages. For info, see http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/support/webits/workshops.html.
Second, each person who logs into the Korman lab computers automatically creates a path to his or her own "X:" drive. The X: drive looks to the lab computer like another hard drive to which users can drag and drop, save to, open from, any type of file you can create and save.
Third, large applications are run on the Academic Unix server under server licenses. For some of these applications, a desktop version is not available or not as convenient (examples: SAS and Matlab). The DUNX1 server runs FORTRAN, C, and GCC program language compilers.

4. WebMail Security Improved

On April 29, IRT activated encryption for all WebMail use. Now, your password and the contents of your email will be encrypted as they travel over the network between your computer and the WebMail server.

This change is part of an ongoing effort to make our servers, our data, and our users' identities and privacy more secure.

WebCT News

5. Regional WebCT Users Conference

A regional WebCT Users Conference will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2005, in the Behrakis Grand Hall of the Creese Student Center (32nd and Chestnut Streets). It is hosted by Drexel University in cooperation with Villanova University and Bucks County Community College

Topics for the all-day conference will be organized into three tracks:

Online Pedagogy
Using Specific WebCT Tools
Supporting and Administering Faculty and Student WebCT Use

For information and to register for the event, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/services/WebCT/WebCTConf2005/.

6. Brown Bag Lunch Sessions: Join Us

Brown Bag Lunches are scheduled for noon-1 p.m. in Korman room 116 as follows:

Monday, May 9 - Multimedia Content Syndication and Podcasting
Thursday, May 26 - Using the Grade Book and Assignments Tools in WebCT
Tuesday, June 28 - WebCT Vista: More Features Faculty Asked For!
Wednesday, July 27 - WebCT Vista: Getting Ready for Fall Term

To reserve a spot, complete with a soda and a dessert, send email to webct@drexel.edu.

7. Major Update for Respondus

There is a new major upgrade for Respondus, the tool instructors use for getting materials into and out of WebCT.

Among the improvements in Respondus version 3 is a batch upload feature, whereby text can be inserted into multiple courses at once. Also, you will find courses are now identified by CRN number; no more wondering which of the freshman English sections is yours.

Users who currently have Respondus 2.x installed can use the "Check for Updates" feature under the Respondus HELP menu to get their upgrade. For new users, the Respondus 3.x zip file is available for download from the Designer 101 Course in WebCT.

Questions? Please contact the WebCT group via webct@drexel.edu.

8. WebCT Vista - Fall Arrival

We plan to upgrade to WebCT Vista effective Fall 2005, and to have this version available for faculty development during Summer term.

The WebCT group can help you migrate the best version of each of your courses to Vista. We need the CRN and term of any term-based course, or the name of a parent course. Note: This is for delivery of future courses in Vista, not for archiving of past courses.

Email webct@drexel.edu for details.

9. Training for WebCT

IRT is currently offering two types of training for WebCT Vista.

* For New Users: WebCT Boot Camps
WebCT Vista Boot Camps, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room 116 of the Korman Computing Center, provide an introduction to the most essential WebCT tools. Boot Camps have been scheduled for the following dates:

Friday, June 17
Friday, July 29
Friday, August 26
Friday, September 23

Laptops are provided as well as lunch. Reserve your slot at webct@drexel.edu.

* For Current Users: WebCT Vista Workshops
These are four-hour workshops to enhance your knowledge in selected areas, and especially get ready to convert your courses from WebCT Campus Edition to WebCT Vista. These workshops will be held in Room 116 Korman Center on the following dates and times:

Friday, May 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, June 10, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, July 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, August 19, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, September 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

To sign up, email webct@drexel.edu.

* Departmental Training
If you would prefer to have a WebCT workshop or boot camp just for your department, let us know. We'll provide the same information at a time convenient for your group. We can, if you wish, break it into shorter segments spread over several days. We can do it in Korman or in your own lab. Contact us at webct@drexel.edu.

10. WebCT Tip for This Month

Who is Joe Instructor?

When we provide every Banner course with a shell in WebCT, the default professor's name is Joe Instructor. To change this to your name, simply:

- Go into your WebCT course
- Click on the Control Panel button
- Click on the Course Settings button
- In the Instructor's Name area, enter your first and last name
- Click on the Update button

When you return to your myWebCT Page (Course Listing), you will see your name displayed instead of Joe Instructor.

To read previous issues of the IRT Technology Update, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news/technews/

To manage your subscription options to the IRT Technology Update and other Drexel Announcements, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/subscriptions. If you prefer to receive a plain text version, please email your request to mailreq@drexel.edu.

Modified: February 25, 2008

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