SU is now running Blackboard Learn SP14

Here are videos & web resources that we recommend you review to see the changes in SP14 at occurred on 12/22/2013.

• What's New in Service Pack 14 Video - This video provides an overview of the new features and enhancements found in SP 14
• What's New in Blackboard Learn Website - The blackboardlearn.com/new website is always updated with the latest features and enhancements to the Blackboard Learn platform
• Blackboard Learn Quick Hit Video Playlist - This YouTube playlist includes short feature introduction videos
• On Demand Learning Center - This site provides comprehensive resources for how-to-videos and guides for educators and students
• 9.1 Feature Showcase - Dive deep into the individual features and workflows in Blackboard Learn 9.1, for all service packs
• Educator Cohort Programs - Invite your educators to join Blackboard and their peers for a webinar series on topics like the latest Service Pack, Digital Content, and more.
• Blackboard Innovative Teaching Series (BITS) -  All educators and administrators that teach are invited into this training initiative that was developed to help augment SU's Bb support. Harnessing our community of users, BITS will share the top strategies and pedagogy for both increasing educator efficiency and improving learning outcomes. Educators can register for live webinars or watch recordings of past events.
• SP14 End-User Guide , A detailed overview of each of the new features and enhancements that are part of Service Pack 14. You can also download this guide as a .PDF file format by clicking here. 
• SP14 Flyer that summarizes changes in PDF file format.

Should you have additional questions, please submit a Help Ticket by clicking on the Resource Link to the left or by going to http://workorder.su.edu/.

Note: The information contained in the above documentation is general to all Bb Learn instances, how SU uses these items maybe be slightly different. You can find SU specific information on SU's Blackboard Support Site at www.su.edu/bb

Reminder: Blackboard Will Upgrade Over the Winter Break

Blackboard (learn.su.edu) will be unavailable 12/22-12/24 as the IC Bb Team upgrades to SP14.

Once the upgrades have finished installing successfully an "All Clear" announcement will be made on the Bb log in screen and users will once again be able to access Bb.

Possible Wirless Services Disruption 12/20 between 7:30a-8:00a

The IC Department will be conducting a test on one of our wireless security certificates this Friday, December 20, 2013 between 7:30am - 8:00am.  There may be a 15 minute disruption in wireless services during that time.

If you have any questions regarding this test, please contact the Help Desk at help desk@su.edu or 540-665-5555.

Blackboard Profile Terms of Service

Just a quick heads-up about something you may notice when you are navigating around SU's Bb environment.

When you enter into any of the Blackboard Profile features (People, Messages, Spaces) you will now be prompted to confirm that you agree to Blackboard's Terms of Service, and that you are over the age of 13.  
 

This is normal, and it is just a way that Blackboard can confirm that you are old enough to be responsible using social profiles, and that you understand your right and responsibilities with regards to posting content on Blackboard Profile features.

SU Technology Tips and Tricks From Devon

Option Click Everything!

The option key is one of the most overlooked and underused keys on a Mac keyboard.  This extremely versatile key gives you whole set of new power moves when it comes to navigating on your MacBook.  Check out the link for a whole bunch of things you can do with this fabulous key!

 

Vote for the Bb Moose Name!

Submissions are in, let the voting begin!  If you want to be a part of SU History, cast your vote for your favorite name for the SU Bb Moose!  Voting goes on until 12/21, so make sure you vote before the deadline hits!  

 

 

Google Sheets Update

Google Sheets has updated with a whole plethora of new features to make this a definite Excel competitor.  Some of the new features include offline access to Sheets, built in formula help and many others.  Check out the link for a complete rundown of the new features. 

  

On a holiday note, if you are looking for some fun to have with the kids or even just for yourself, checkout the Google Santa Tracker.  This countdown to Christmas has games and other activities to keep you smiling during the holidays! 

 

As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to stop by a drop in or send me an email!

MIT Media Lab's easy Android App Builder.

The last post related to MIT Media Lab came from a short blog about Scratch, MIT Media Lab's very basic programming language for kids that can help people get acclimated with very basic programming.

This time, MIT Media Lab has almost outdone itself by creating Appinventor a user-friendly way to develop Android Apps. Like Scratch, MIT Media Lab has made tutorials and information incredibly accessible and user-friendly for users of all technical backgrounds.  Meaning, that whatever app you can dream-up, you can create!  The opportunity presented by Appinventor to have a lot of fun, make something incredibly useful, and learn a lot about apps is also 100% free.

Curious about what types of apps you can create with Appinventor? MIT Appinventor Stories has all sorts of posts about interesting and creative apps that have been developed by the Appinventor community.  Check it out!

So, as Miss Frizzle used to say, "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!"  Most of all, enjoy!

Here's a quick sneak-peak at Appinventor's user-friendly layout

This Moose is ready for his/her name! Make sure to vote

The Traveling Bb Support moose is excited to enter into the final stages of receiving a name.  

From the moose of the Canadian wilderness, to the stuffed variety that travels around SU providing the best Bb support that the IC Bb Team can provide, all moose have one thing in common, they search far and wide for a fitting name.

Please visit the following link and cast your vote for the best name for our Traveling Bb Support Moose. He/She thanks you for your time and your very very moosey-consideration!

Voting continues until 12/21.

Winner announced and $100 prize handed out 1/13/2014 in the student center.

Contest rules are as follows:

• Users are strongly encouraged not to vote for their own submission.
• One vote per person.
• Copyrighted and inappropriate names have been removed from the eligible name pool

As video evidence that all moose search for a name, I submit to you a video of a moose clearly searching for something.  We speculate that this moose is searching for a fitting name to accompany such majestic antlers. 

Student Tech Buzz 12/9-12/13   IC Department wants to remind student users: Students will NOT see Spring courses until after all final exams have concluded. Good luck on all of your exams, and enjoy your break!  Voting for the Traveling Bb Support Moose's name begins!   After receiving a ton of fantastic names, it is finally time for the Traveling Bb Support Moose to enter into the final stages of receiving his/her name. Please follow this link to go to the naming poll: Vote to give the Traveling Bb Support Moose a name  The voting will be open until 12/21/2013 On 1/3/2014, the announcement will be made and the prize of $100 will be awarded to the user who came up with the winning name. Contest rules are as follows: Users are strongly encouraged not to vote for their own submission. One vote per person. Copyrighted and inappropriate names have been removed from the eligible name pool Blackboard Seeking Feedback from SU Student Users Blackboard has asked specifically for SU STUDENT feedback regarding a potential feature that would make gathering classroom resources easier for students. If you have a moment to spare, please fill out the form at the following link:Blackboard's Thoughts on Bookstore. When it comes to Blackboard, your voice matters! Your submissions are much appreciated.   Blackboard 9.1 Service Pack 14 Upgrade Scedule:   In last week's Tech Buzz, we talked briefly about what student's can expect from Blackboard 9.1 SP 14.    This week, we want you to know the maintenance schedule so all users who happen to log on over break are not caught off-guard.  No, Blackboard is not sipping delicious bottls of soda-pop on the shores of some tropical island during break. Yes, Blackboard will be inaccessible for a few days while the upgrades are installed.  The maintenance schedule is as follows: On 12/22-12/24 Bb will be inaccessible while being upgraded to SP14

Tech Tips & Tricks Brought to You by Institutional Computing

Where Devon Will Be This Week Wednesday - Cork Street - 11:00 - 1:00 - Room 142 Thursday - Wilkins Building - 11 - 1 - Conference Room 2:30 - 4:30 - Room 140 Friday - HPB - 11 - 1 - In Front of the Library

Facebook Twitter Training Website Google Plus YouTube 24/7 Support BB Info

Good Morning Everyone, I hope that everyone had a safe and relaxing couple of days off!  Exciting news this week regarding updates to Google Calendar, a great iPad (and now also PC,Mac soon) application, and some great resources for Hour of Code Week!  Also, if you wanted to learn more about using Google Apps for the classroom (or just in general), there is a Google Apps for Education Summit in Charlottesville, VA in March that you may want to attend.  Details can be found here...GAFESummit. As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

SU Tips and Tricks

TouchCast brings a whole new feature-set to video creation!  If you haven't tried this out yet, you should give it a go.  Create interactive videos by adding websites, twitter feeds, news feeds and whole bunch more to your videos.  Want to see some examples.  Click the picture above to check it out!

 

Facebook Twitter Training Website Google Plus YouTube 24/7 Support BB Info

Good Morning Everyone, I hope that everyone had a safe and relaxing couple of days off!  Exciting news this week regarding updates to Google Calendar, a great iPad (and now also PC,Mac soon) application, and some great resources for Hour of Code Week!  Also, if you ever wanted to learn more about using Google Apps for the classroom (or just in general), there is a Google Apps for Education Summit in Charlottesville, VA in March that you may want to attend.  Details can be found here...GAFESummit. As always, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

SU Tips and Tricks

TouchCast brings a whole new feature-set to video creation!  If you haven't tried this out yet, you should give it a go.  Create interactive videos by adding websites, twitter feeds, news feeds and whole bunch more to your videos.  Want to see some examples.  Click the picture above to check it out!

A recent Google Calendar update allows for some interesting new features.  For starters, the location box now auto populates with addresses.  That means you can put in where your meeting is going to take place, and all invitees will have a link to a map of the location in the event!  You can now also search your calendar events using the same great search that is available in Gmail.  Want to see the whole list of updates?  Click the image above.

 

 

This Monday started Computer Science Education Week, and there has never been a better time to start learning.  Resources like code.org, khanacademy.org, codeacademy.com and many more offer free tutorials to get you started down the path to learning about computer science!  Want to get in on the action?  Click the image to check out code.org and begin learning something new today! 

Blackboard Seeks SU Student Input On Feature Design

Blackboard is designing a potential new feature that would make it easy for students to get the resources need for classes. Students please consider helping out the university's LMS by answering a few questions and taking a look at Bb's proposed design ideas.

The survey is short and can be completed from any Web browser. You can find the survey at https://bbuxresearch.wufoo.com/forms/thoughts-on-bookstore/ Thank you in advance for your time and willingness to make Bb an even better product for SU.

Below is the "Final Exam" policy for the University, just in case you don't know what it is.

RESCHEDULING EXAMS DUE To CAMPUS CLOSURE DURING FINAL’S WEEK   Faculty have several options: 

1. Faculty may offer the students the option to take the final either on the date for make up that  appears in the closure notice or within another mutually defined time through consultation  with the deans/director to be no later than the add/drop period of the following semester.  The  university will follow the schedule as outlined for the day it closed. Faculty will have to  coordinate with their department to find exam locations for returning students who wish to  take the exam at the beginning of term.  

2. Faculty may offer the exam as a take home exam or use distance learning means to have the  students submit their final work (i.e. online exams through Blackboard, podcasts of  performance or presentations, web page creations, power point presentations, etc.).  

3. Faculty may change the final exam assignment to something that can be done through digital  means, such as a paper or a podcast.  

 

4. Faculty may offer their classes the option of reassigning different weights to already completed  course work (e.g. quizzes, exams, papers, portfolios, projects, presentations, etc.), thereby  forgoing the final. However, if a student wants to take a final exam, faculty must grant that  request and offer the student the option to do so within the time specified in #1.  

 

Stay safe and warm during this cold winter day!

Bb Support Team

Moose Naming Continues Until 12/8

That's right, she/he is loveable, cute, knowledgeable, mobile, and overwhelmingly moosey (has anything in history ever been described as moosey, as in moose-like?).  

Do you have a great name to fit the above moose-characteristics?  

If you do, then you should submit a name for the moose, and be entered to win $100.  

 Naming submissions will be accepted until 12/8/2014 and voting will begin 12/9/2014.  Good luck!

The Help & Support Menu Item

This semester, do not hesitate to check out the Help & Support menu item button.  This button contains information for all of your SU related needs.  The following information will be accessible right at the tip of your left-mouse click:

• Accessibility and Disability Services
• Library Information
• Student Handbook
• Stay Alert! Stay Informed! Stay Safe!
• SU Mobile App
• Academic Calendar
• Student Government Association (SGA)
• Student Support Services
• Book Store
• Registrar's Office 
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Catalogs
• Disability Services
• Academic Enrichment 
• Health Services
• Financial Aid
• Career Services
• WebAdvisor
• IMLearning
• Technical Requirements
• Recommended Computer System Configuration
• Browser Plug-ins & Downloads
• Adobe Shockwave Player
• Adobe Flash Player
• RealPlayer
• iTunes
• Apple QuickTime
• Windows Media Player
• Excel Viewer (Windows Only)
• Word Viewer (Windows Only)
• powerPoint Viewer 2007 (Windows Only)
• Open Office
• Compatibility Pack for Office 2010 Documents (Windows Only)
• Adobe Reader
• Safari
• Firefox
• Internet Explorer
• Java
•  Online Support Services
• Technical Support Information
• Blackboard Support
• Media Services Chat
• Student Forms
• Technology Blog
• Google Support
• Blackboard Inc.'s Entrenchment Suggestion Site
• Tutorials
• Collaborating and Communicating Online
• An Overview of the Internet & the World Wide Web
• What Netiquette is & Why it is Important
• Netiquette Guidelines You Should Follow
• Netiquette- The Do's & Don'ts of Discussion Board Forums
• Navigating Through Cyberspace Safely and Securely
• Using the Blackboard Application
• BB Student Orientation
• Blackboard Support Site
• Blackboard Login
• WebAdvisor
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Student Help Documents
• Using the SU Student E-Mail (Gmail & Google Apps) System

When you need help, this will be the most intuitive and accessible resource available; so please feel free to browse, explore, dig, spelunk, peruse, and digest all the valuable information within this menu item.

GOING GLOBAL FYS PROGRAM NEEDS STUDENT MENTORS FOR FALL 2014 SEMESTER

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) student mentors assist faculty members by serving as advisers to first-year students on the transition into university life and as academic tutors in one of the Going Global First-Year Seminar sections in the fall 2014. Each mentor acts as a liaison between the student and instructor and helps to build a “Class of 2018” community.

Student mentors must attend all classes of their assigned course during the fall 2014 term (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2 to 3 p.m.), and assist the instructor to develop and maintain academic interest and enthusiasm. Student mentors also support the instructor in designing and delivering out-of-class learning experiences, are available for student consultation outside of class hours, and lead at least three class discussions or exercises on topics approved by the mentor and instructor.
To apply, you must be a sophomore, junior or senior with an overall GPA of at least a “B.” You must possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. Student mentors must complete mandatory training in social transition and academic tutoring techniques on a weekend during the spring 2014 semester.

Student FYS mentors will receive a $1,050 stipend, an iPad for the fall 2014 semester and all required books for the assigned section. The three-part application includes: letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members (if you have been an FYS mentor before, one letter must be from your FYS professor); a one-page letter addressed to the FYS committee explaining why you want to be a student mentor and what qualifies for you for the position; and a creative, one-minute iMovie that demonstrates what makes you awesome and unique.

Application materials are due by Friday, Jan. 31, and incomplete applications will not be accepted. All recommendation letters and application letters should be emailed to Jo Strader at jstrader@su.edu or submitted in person in Henkel Hall, Room 206. iMovies should be submitted on a jump drive or disc with your name on it, or include a YouTube link to your iMovie.

The list of mentors will be announced no later than February 2014. For more information on application guidelines, contact Director of General Education/Going Global First-Year Seminar Amy Sarch, Ph.D., at asarch@su.edu or 540/542-6534. The recommendation letter form will be available online by Friday, Dec. 13. This form is also available by contacting Sarch.

Student Tech Buzz 12/2-12/6

Student Tech Buzz 12/2-12/6

Service Pack 14 Coming to Blackboard After Break. Students, when you arrive back from break, you will notice that your Blackboard environment has been updated to reflect the most cutting edge Blackboard Service Pack. There are lots of great upgrades within this service pack. Most of the upgrades are on the faculty side, but student users are certainly not going to be left out! Perhaps the best student user update is a "My Grades" update which will allow students to order their grades more intuitively.   Studying into the night?  Remember, you have access to After Hours Support Finals have almost arrived, and for many of you that means late nights!  Just because SU staff members have gone home for the day, does not mean that you are left without support. Remember, all SU users have after hours support available to them. The best part about this support is that you just call the Help Desk phone number that you already use, and an operator will assist you with your issue. After Hours Support & Help Desk Phone Number: (540) 665-5555 Blackboard is asking for SU STUDENT participation. Blackboard has asked IC if there were any students who would volunteer to do a 45minute-1 hour usability study. If you or your friends would like to participate please contact Dan.Rinzel@Blackboard.com directly and receive further instructions! As many of you know, the feedback that Blackboard receives from SU Students can and often does contribute directly towards changes within Blackboard. Your opinions make a difference and matter to Blackboard!

Heavy Google Drive User? Get Ready for One More Awesome Feature!

Have you noticed that Google has changed the way you view attachments in Gmail?  At first glace, I thought it was a mere thumbnail, but at second glance, I realized that Google, silently, came out with, and implemented, yet another feature that can shave a little bit of time off of your already busy schedule.

When you hover your mouse over an attachment in Gmail you will now be able to directly save the file to your Google Drive. In true Google-fashion, they have allowed you to customize the destination of the file by selecting which folder, or to create a folder within your Drive, that the file will land in.

Here is what it will look like when you hover over your attachment.  All you have to do is click the Drive button:

IC's Devon Taylor created a phenomenal Youtube tutorial about this very feature.  Take a few seconds and check it out:

Student Tech Buzz 11/25-11/29

On behalf of the IC Department, may you, your family, and all of those close to you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. IC Department Annoucement: Students will NOT see Spring courses until after all final exams have concluded. The Moose With No Name   Help the new Traveling Blackboard Support mascot get a name! Click here to participate. If you submit the winning name, you will receive the $100 prize! Visit the moose at any of the Traveling Blackboard Support sessions to receive some Moose naming inspirado (Also visit if you have any Blackboard related questions that you need assistance with)! Visit the moose at the following times and locations around campus: Bb Traveling Schedule: Mondays: Ruebush 11-12p Tuesday: Shingleton 10-11a, Brandt 12-2p, Gregory 2:30-3:30p Wednesday: Cork 11-1p, HPB 1:30-5p Thursday: NVC 9-12p 1st & 3rd Weeks, Shingleton 2-3p, HHH 3-4:30p Friday: Bowman 12-1p, MOB II 1-3p Taking Tests in Blackboard, Best Practices   Facing final exams? Let's take a moment to breathe deep, think about the tasks in front of you, and understand how to accomplish these tasks efficiently. That's better. The panic is already shedding off of you like rain on a waxed car. When it comes to taking tests online there are a few steps you can take to ensure a nice smooth exam.  If you fail to take these steps, you might not necessarily have problems, but why expose yourself to more stress than you currently possess. Before the test begins: Clear your browser's cache.  Restart your computer, or turn the wireless card off/on at the testing location (this makes sure your computer is connected to the nearest wireless access point). Close all nonessential programs.  During testing, you should refrain from virus scanning, Skyping, World of Warcrafting, Tweeting, and anything else that is on your computer that is not related to your test.  Not only do other programs distract you, they could potentially disrupt your connection to the internet in a way that can negatively impact your ability to take tests.   Overhaul to Su.edu/Bb The Blackboard Support Team has overhauled Su.edu/Bb to make the site more informative and user-friendly for all SU users! As most of you know, SU's version of Blackboard is different than the stock Blackboard Learn. Su.edu/Bb is your nexus for specific information about SU's Blackboard environment. Additionally, check System News often to see the most recent news and information about your Blackboard system.