IRT Technology Update

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Contents:

Tips & Tricks

News & Notes from the Online Learning Team

10. Using Grading Forms in Bb Vista (Part 3)
11. Voice in Wimba Classroom
12. Preparing Your Students to Use Bb Vista
13. Use DragonDrop For Your Spring Term Class!
14. Take Five While Recording with Camtasia Studio
15. Schedule for Upcoming IRT Workshops

1. Microsoft Releases Update for Internet Explorer Vulnerabilities

On March 30, Microsoft released critical security update MS10-018 (KB980182) to patch vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer.

If your computer is NOT set up to automatically install updates, run Windows Update as soon as possible to download the critical update for Internet Explorer. IRT recommends that users set their computers to automatically install critical Windows Updates to help prevent security vulnerabilities.

Always ensure that your computer has the most recent updates!

For more information, visit Microsoft’s TechNet blog at this link.

2. Don’t Forget to Scan Your USB Flash Drives!

Even though IRT’s computer labs are set up to automatically scan machines for viruses, they can still be infected by USB flash drives that contain viruses. Just as a cold or flu can be transmitted from person to person through touch, so can viruses be transferred from computer to computer by a flash drive when it is plugged in and/or accessed.

To prevent the spread of infection through your flash drives, frequently scan them for viruses the same way you would scan your computer with your antivirus software--simply select to scan the USB drive instead of your hard drive. Also, turn off the autorun feature on your computer to prevent viruses from loading when you first plug in your flash drive. IRT’s computer labs already have the autorun feature disabled.

3. DragonFly Wireless Access at the Landmark Americana

With the opening of the Landmark Americana Tap & Grill in the new Drexel Recreation Center, options for meeting places have expanded! Due to the popularity of the Landmark Americana as a meeting place, DragonFly wireless access has been extended to cover the restaurant.

4. Sharing Large Files

If you have ever tried to send a large file via email, you have very likely encountered the frustrating size limitation that many email services place on attachments. However, as digital media continues to grow in size, it becomes increasingly difficult to share your files.

Luckily, there are free and easy-to-use applications that can help! Some of your colleagues have used the following applications, which are supported by their respective third-party vendors: Dropbox (https://www.dropbox.com) allows you to place large files and folders in a sharable 2 GB space where you can control who has access. Box.net (http://www.box.net) offers 1 GB of Web storage for files up to 25 MB. When you upload files and folders, Box.net provides you with a link to your uploaded content that you can then distribute to anyone who needs access to your online content.

If you simply want to send someone a large file, but don’t need to collaborate with them, YouSendIt (http://www.yousendit.com) might be the answer. The Lite version of this application allows you to send files of up to 100 MB and store them online for seven days, where they can be downloaded up to 100 times each. Recipients receive an email notification containing a link where they can access your files. YouSendIt also provides a downloadable plug-in for Microsoft Office.

All of the above applications also offer paid versions with fewer restrictions on file size and Web storage allowance, but IRT recommends that you use the free versions to get started.

5. ListServ Tip of the Month: Changing List Owners

Attention all list owners! Are you:

• A student who will soon graduate?
• A faculty or staff member who will soon be leaving Drexel?
• A student, faculty, or staff member who is interested in adding another list owner, or transferring ownership?
• Or, if you are not yet a list owner, are you a new faculty or staff member who needs access to a list?

Are there any changes not listed here that you need to make to your list(s)? If so, making ownership changes to your list(s) is easy! Simply email your request to the Mailing List Team at mailreq@drexel.edu, and the team will work with you to configure your list correctly.

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks are helpful articles that address a variety of Windows and Mac applications. Click on one of the links below to view the full article:

Quickly Create Interactive PDF Forms!
Formatting Text in Word
Use the F8 Key to Select Text in Word!
Creating and Using Custom Design Templates in PowerPoint 2007

News & Notes from the Online Learning Team

10. Using Grading Forms in Bb Vista (Part 3)

This is the third article in a three-part series about Grading Forms in Bb Vista. Part 2 of this article appeared in the Tech Update issue dated March 9, 2010. (Once this issue of the Tech Update is posted online, you can access it here: http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news/publications/techUpdate/techArchive.)

Grading Form Tips

1. Use small point values, with zero as the lowest value. If “excellent” is worth 40 points and “very good” is worth 30, you will almost certainly want to award someone 35 points; but in the Grading Form, you cannot. The only way to award point values other than those specified in the form is to override the score in the Grade Book.

2. Do not release the grade column until you are satisfied with the form. Try out your new Grading Form by grading a representative sample of good and poor work. Point values in the Grading Form can be changed even after papers are graded; values in Grade Book columns will be automatically recalculated. (To hide a Grade Book column: In “Grade Book Options > Column Settings,” set “Released to Student” to “No.”)

3. Note that completed Grading Forms cannot be imported or exported except with the full course, or by copying and pasting cell-by-cell. However, there are many excellent rubrics available online, and copying cell-by-cell might encourage you to refine a rubric to suit your needs.

Web Resources

A PowerPoint Rubric from the University of Wisconsin-Stout (http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/pptrubric.html) specifies four performance levels and nine criteria. One complete criterion row is shown below:

Rubistar contains thousands of rubrics from K-12 through higher education. Gems can be found among the numerous rubrics available: http://rubistar.4teachers.org.

Michigan State’s Online Instructional Resources page on rubrics includes links to articles and other rubric resources: http://fod.msu.edu/oir/Assessment/rubrics.asp.

11. Voice in Wimba Classroom

If you want to use voice in Wimba Classroom, there are three options available to you:

1. Presenters, or anyone who has been granted presenter permissions, can click on the "Options" link and then select "Lock Talk." Upon activation, the “Talk” button will turn orange and an image of a small lock will appear.

2. Click and hold down the "Talk" button. When you are finished speaking, release it.

3. Hold down the “Ctrl” key. When you are finished speaking, release it.

12. Preparing Your Students to Use Bb Vista

If you are using Bb Vista for a hybrid or Web-delivered course, consider including the following information in your syllabus or your welcome e-mail so that your students are prepared for the first week of class:

1. Visit http://learning.drexel.edu to access your course.

2. Run the Browser Check and configure your browser as recommended. (Find the link to the Browser Check at the top of the login page and in the top right-hand corner of the Bb Vista Home page after you login.)

3. Watch the student “Quick Start” video tutorials at http://drexel.edu/irt/coursetools/toolList/bbvista/help/students/StudentVideos to learn how to adjust your Bb Vista settings and how to use the course tools.

(NOTE: If you are not using all of the tools in your course, specify which tutorials would be the most helpful to your students.)

4. Read the “Important: Read Me First” or “Getting Started” document.

(NOTE: this document explains to students the types of information and documentation you will include on the site and how frequently you expect them to check the course site. This document is particularly important if you plan to use the Mail and Announcement tools to communicate with students. Include any other information students should know about how they are expected to use Bb Vista.)

5. Contact the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu for Bb Vista-related issues. Contact the IRT Help Desk at consult@drexel.edu or 215-895-2020 for other technical issues.

If you are using Blackboard Classic (http://drexel.blackboard.com), contact your system administrator for assistance in preparing similar information for your students.

13. Use DragonDrop For Your Spring Term Class!

Slim down your Bb Vista section this spring! If you have large media files in your class, consider removing them from Bb Vista and uploading them to DragonDrop, a media server designed to host images and videos, along with other digital media. Once uploaded, you can use the Web Links tool in Bb Vista to link your students directly to the content. Newly-created media files for your course can be uploaded directly to DragonDrop.

For a quick overview of what DragonDrop can do, visit: http://www.drexel.edu/irt/coursetools/toolList/dragonDrop.

14. Take Five While Recording with Camtasia Studio

If you are using Camtasia Studio to record a lecture, you don't need to do everything perfectly in the first take! If you are interrupted, press “F9” to pause your recording. When you can come back to it, press “F9” to begin recording again (however, be sure to record a little bit of overlap).

So, if the phone rings, or if there is a knock at the door, don't throw out everything you have already recorded. Simply pause, and finish your recording later.

15. Schedule for Upcoming IRT Workshops

Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will be held in Korman 116. To sign up for any of these workshops, please email olt@drexel.edu.

Bb Vista

• Bb Vista Full Day Workshop
  Tuesday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Wednesday, June 16, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Aimed at instructors and administrators who are new to Bb Vista or who have not worked in Bb Vista for a while. Lunch will be provided.
• Bb Vista: Using the Teach Tab and More
  Friday, April 23, 9:00 a.m. – noon
  Wednesday, June 2, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  This workshop is geared towards individuals who are familiar with Bb Vista and want to learn more about using the system from a teaching perspective (managing assignments, creating assessments, using the Grade Book, etc.). Come with questions!

Brown Bags and Workshops

• 7 Things Instructors Must Know about Adobe Acrobat
  Friday, June 4, noon – 1:30 p.m.
  During this session, seven Adobe Acrobat features will be demonstrated that you can immediately use to benefit your face-to-face or online courses.
• Creating Audio Podcasts with Audacity and DragonDrop
  Thursday, May 27, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  Learn how Audacity, a freely-available software package, can be used to record and edit audio for use in your course. This hands-on session will cover basic functionality and techniques, and provide an introduction to podcasting using DragonDrop.
• Editing Images for Your Course
  Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. – noon
  Learn how GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), a freely-available software package, can be used to fix and edit images for use in your course or personal collections. Basic functionality and techniques will be covered in this hands-on session.
• Incorporating Publisher Materials into Bb Vista
  Tuesday, May 18, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
  Learn how to import e-Packs and PowerPoint files into Bb Vista, use test generator software and testbanks to create assessments, and utilize Respondus to upload exam questions created by the publisher.

Camtasia

• Desktop & Presentation Recording: Camtasia Relay
  Wednesday, April 14, 11:00 a.m. – noon
  Wednesday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  Tuesday, June 1, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
  Learn about the basics of screencasting, how to prepare yourself for the recording process, and how to use Camtasia Relay to record your desktop for publication on the Web.
• Recording and Editing with Camtasia for Mac
  Thursday, May 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Learn how to use Camtasia for Mac to record your desktop and presentations, edit your work, and produce media files. Prerequisite: Desktop and Presentation Recording: Camtasia Relay. Recommended: Bring your Intel-powered Mac laptop (MacBook, Pro, or Air).
• Recording and Editing with Camtasia Studio for Windows
  Tuesday, April 20, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Thursday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Tuesday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  Learn how to use Camtasia Studio for Windows to record your desktop and presentations, edit your work, and produce media files. Prerequisite: Desktop and Presentation Recording: Camtasia Relay.

DragonDrop

• DragonDrop Basic Training
  Monday, April 19, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  Friday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  Tuesday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  This workshop will introduce you to the basics of working with DragonDrop, a Web-based application for capturing, encoding, and publishing rich media for Web access.

Dreamweaver

• Dreamweaver Basic
  Friday, April 9, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Thursday, May 13, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Thursday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  In the Basic course, create simple pages using Dreamweaver CS4 that will include headings, lists, images, and links.
• Dreamweaver Intermediate
  Thursday, April 22, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Thursday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  Thursday, June 24, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  In the Intermediate course, create and modify stylesheets and apply styles, including fonts, float positioning, and colors.

Respondus

• Respondus
  Tuesday, April 27, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  Thursday, June 17, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  This workshop will discuss how Respondus products can help you to easily import quiz questions/answers into Bb Vista, secure the online testing environment, and create interesting (and entertaining) learning objects.

SharePoint

• SharePoint Basic
  Thursday, April 22, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  Friday, May 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  Tuesday, May 25, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Thursday, June 3, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Wednesday, June 30, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  SharePoint is a powerful tool for document collaboration. This session provides step-by-step directions and an overview of SharePoint's key functions. Topics covered include site navigation, creating and editing items, and uploading documents.

Snap

• Snap Basic
  Wednesday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  The Basic course is geared towards new users of Snap, Drexel's survey software. A demonstration of the entire survey setup process will be presented.
• Snap Advanced
  Wednesday, April 7, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  Tuesday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  In the Advanced course, users of Snap will learn how to create a survey, set up routing rules, and send automated survey invitation and reminder messages through Snap. Password-protected surveys and iterative surveys will also be discussed.

Turnitin

• Streamline Your Grading with Turnitin's GradeMark
  Friday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
  Dr. Mike Scheuermann will demonstrate Turnitin’s GradeMark tool, a powerful electronic grading and commenting feature. By building rubric sets and reusing frequently-used comments, you can streamline grading and markup of your students’ submissions electronically.

Wimba Live Classroom

• Wimba Classroom and Other Wimba Tools
  Wednesday, April 21, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Thursday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. – noon
  Wimba Classroom is a synchronous, virtual classroom. Its features include multi-way audio and video, easy upload of PowerPoint presentations, application sharing, polling, and more—all designed to create a robust online classroom experience.