IRT: News & Events: TechUpdates: Thursday, November 30, 2006

Microsoft has announced January 30, 2007 as the launch date for the new Windows Vista operating system. Although this debut is imminent, IRT recommends that Drexel PC users hold off in favor of a managed migration plan.

Elements of that plan, recently reviewed by Drexel's Computing Advisory Committee, include:

No overall campus-wide upgrade of University-owned machines to Windows Vista will take place until further notice. This is projected to occur, at the earliest, after graduation in June 2007.
In the interim, IRT will be testing the new application and operating system intensively. Results of these tests will be posted on a comprehensive informational webpage at http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/support/winvista/index.html.
All newly-purchased PC computer equipment should be Windows Vista capable, but should not have Windows Vista installed; for now, stand pat with Windows XP. Information and references for checking hardware specifications will be posted on the above website.

Drexel's formal testing program is a joint effort of all three IRT groups - ITS, CTI, CES. This testing will check hardware configurations, verify that MS Vista works smoothly with a wide variety of applications, and certify compatibility with Drexel's many enterprise software systems (Banner, Hyperion, Web*Financials, etc.). Many of these systems have not yet been certified for Windows Vista by their vendors.

Keep checking the web page above and watch future IRT Technology Updates for information on the progress of this testing.

2. Is It Vista? ... or Is It Vista?

The advent of Microsoft Windows Vista offers a new opportunity for confusion for Drexel computer users. In Tech Update, we will strive to be consistent:

Microsoft Windows Vista will be referred to in short form as Windows Vista or WinVista.
Blackboard (used to be WebCT) Vista, our course management system, will be referred to as Bb Vista.

If/when things change again, we'll let you know.

3. Workshop: Technology in Korman Classrooms

IRT will conduct an intensive introductory workshop about the technologies available in classrooms in the Korman Computing Center on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 from 9 a.m. to noon in Korman room 116.

This workshop is intended for instructors who have reserved classrooms in the Korman Computing Center during Winter term. The workshop is by invitation only. Watch for your emailed invitation.

4. Heads Up for Documenters: New Look Coming for DrexelOne

If you write "how-to" information for services in BannerWeb, Bb Vista, or email, there is a good chance that some part of your instructions refer to DrexelOne.

You should therefore know that some significant improvements to DrexelOne, which will also change the "look and feel" of the service, are in the works. Existing functions remain, but some of the wording and placement of links will change. These changes may be installed as early as the upcoming Fall-Winter term break.

If you have questions, please send your queries and your contact information to DrexelOneDoc@drexel.edu. (Note: This is a temporary email alias that will go away after the transition is complete.)

5. New Voice Mail - First Notice

Meridian Mail, Drexel's voicemail system, has been discontinued by its manufacturer, Nortel. The University will replace its voicemail system sometime early in the new year. Training and online support for use of the new system will be provided.

Stay tuned.

6. Expanded Software Opportunities at Computer Marketplace

Check out some new software products in the Computer Marketplace (go to http://www.drexel.edu/IRT, click Computer Marketplace and then Get Software).

Under Buy It, you will find two new choices in addition to the listing for e-Academy. These are Impatica's online purchase link for students, and JourneyEd.

At JourneyEd, after identifying your type of school (College) and state (Pennsylvania), you will select your Drexel campus and arrive at a page that offers significant discounts on software packages, including QuarkXPress, Microsoft OneNote, Microsoft Project, and some Adobe packages. Some of these are available for students only, some for faculty and students.

7. Webcasting, Anyone?

Interested in webcasting your class or departmental event? Let IRT help.

We can show you how to do it yourself, or we can produce the event for you. You can use Horizon/Wimba's "Live Classroom" as part of Bb Vista; we can show you how to use Camtasia in "live" mode; we can show you how to use Windows Media and Real encoders; and we can show you how to tap in to specialized classrooms across campus to access Video Conferencing or built-in webstreaming capabilities.

For more information or for an appointment to discuss your needs, contact us at webcast@drexel.edu.

8. Verify Your Directory Listings

Is your information correct in Drexel's official directory? Check it on the Drexel web page (click on Directories) or use the direct link to http://www.drexel.edu/search. Use the drop-down menu to select "all information" and fill in your own name. Check your name, title, department, university address, phone number, fax number, and official email address.

If you find anything to be corrected, please contact the human resources department.

9. Support on Saturdays - and Weekdays Too

Faculty members, teaching assistants and trainers using Bb Vista or associated technologies may contact the Online Learning Team in person in the Faculty Development Center (FDC) in room 109 of the Korman Computing Center, by calling 215-895-1224, or via email at OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu.

During Winter quarter, the FDC will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Normal weekday hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Hours during the Fall-Winter term break will be Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. except official University holidays. For the weekend before the start of Winter term, the FDC will be open Saturday, January 6, 2007 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, January 7, 1-9 p.m.

The Online Learning Team can be called on to assist users in learning newer and emerging technologies.

10. Report a Problem with Bb Vista

You asked for it! There is now a link to Report a Problem on the Log-In Screen for Bb Vista and on the IRT home page (http://www.drexel.edu/IRT). The link takes you to a short Survey form where we can gather data from you about your problem with Bb Vista. In addition to helping you with your own problems, this enables us to spot trends, persistent problems, etc.

The direct address to report problems having to do with Bb Vista is https://surveys.drexel.edu/TakeSurvey.asp?SurveyID=7KIlo35K9o7KG.

For a quicker answer to common questions, check whether we've posted an answer already in our Frequently Asked Questions area for Bb Vista users. Find it on the IRT web site at http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/services/webct/faq/index.html.

11. Brown Bag Lunch on Live Classroom

A brown bag lunch session is scheduled in Korman Computing Center room 116 on Tuesday, December 12 at noon. The topic of discussion will be Live Classroom - Horizon/Wimba, a program that simulates a live classroom experience with two-way audio and content sharing.

All interested faculty and staff members are welcome, but the number is limited. Email OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu to sign up. Use the same email address to recommend brown-bag topics for next term.

12. Training for Online Instruction

The schedule for Bb Vista and related trainings is given below. As always, register early (OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu) since capacity is limited; watch for schedule updates and possible additional sessions at http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/services/workshops/index.html.

* For New Users: Bb Vista Boot Camps
Vista Boot Camps, held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in room 116 of the Korman Computing Center, provide a comprehensive introduction to the most essential Bb Vista tools for novice users. Boot Camps are scheduled quarterly. For Fall term 2006, the Boot Camp will be held on:

Friday, December 15, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Laptops are provided for use in the workshop as well as lunch. Reserve your slot at OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu.

* Bb Vista Modularized Training
In response to participant feedback, the Technology Support Team offers numerous short, highly-focused workshops on Bb Vista tools and features (as well as other emerging technologies). One more Modularized Training session will be held in Korman room 116 this term:

Tuesday, Deceember 5, 9-11 a.m.: Media Library and more

For workshop details, see http://www.drexel.edu/IRT/services/workshops. To sign up, email OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu.

* Camtasia and Impatica Training
Licenses are available for both Impatica and Camtasia, software packages that enable you to record voiceover and other elements for lectures for inclusion in Bb Vista online course sections. When you attend a one-hour session on either application, we make arrangements for you to get the software. There are some limits on the number of licenses for faculty and staff.

Here are the sessions scheduled currently:

Wednesday, December 13, 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Korman 116 - Impatica
Wednesday, December 13, 2:45-3:45 p.m. in Korman 116 - Camtasia

To sign up, email OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu.

Also, let us know at OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu if you're interested in intermediate-level Camtasia training.

13. Qwik Tips for This Month

* Get started on winter quarter classes now. If you need a template for course development, email the OnlineLearningTeam@drexel.edu.

* If you want winter quarter sections crosslisted, it is best to work through your department administrators who arrange for issuance of the CRNs for your course sections. As the start of term approaches, the Online Learning Team can help with crosslisting in Bb Vista.

* Holiday break is a great time to clean up your Bb Vista Home Page. The Team's html experts can help make your Home Page something to be proud of.

* For a large section, Bb Vista can automatically generate "groups" to facilitate student collaboration. Students can be in multiple groups, you retain edit capability to modify the randomly assembled groups ... and much more. We can show you how to do this at the Faculty Development Center.

* Bb Vista does time release. You can sequentially release content, assignments, assessments, discussions, or just about any component of your course through Selective Release feature. You can create availability times for individual students, groups of students, or using criteria so that students must master existing concepts before going on to more challenging areas.

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: December 4, 2008

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News and Notes for Online Learning

1. Microsoft Windows Vista Is Coming: Be Patient