Category Archives: Uncategorized

Application for 2021 Winterim Online Teaching Institute now open

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winter studying
The Call for the Winterim Online Teaching Institute is now open.


The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for a Winterim 2021 Online Teaching Institute in a shortened hybrid format. The overall goal of the institute is to align quality course design with best practices in online teaching, preparing faculty for online course development, and teaching in future academic terms.

This Winterim Institute is designed in a hybrid modality combining a series of short online workshops and asynchronous materials in Canvas. The course models hybrid and remote modalities including readings, materials, and short homework assignments. Participants will be required to build a fully online unit of a course they could teach.

There are six required synchronous workshops M/W/F scheduled from 1:00 pm to 2:00pm in Webex from January 4 through January 15. These will include a student panel discussion and a peer to peer review session to share ideas and collaborate on online course designs in progress. There will also be additional optional Canvas labs. Final course materials will be due January 29th.

We will be accepting 25 applicants into the Institute for Online Teaching this winter. Preference will be given to those faculty and full-time instructional academic staff who fully complete the application in a first come, first serve basis and who have not previously completed the Online / Blended teaching Institute since the summer of 2018. Once we accept 25 applicants, we will close the application. Applicants will be emailed regarding their acceptance on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 and be enrolled in the Canvas course site.

The application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Any incomplete applications may be rejected. We recommend completing the application on a computer, as some questions involve typed responses.

For any additional information or questions, please contact the LTC.
Learning Technology Center
(262) 472-1004
ltc@uww.edu

Apply here: http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7NyGyL3OnrRwnop


Increased Security for Webex Recurring Meetings

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Effective immediately, Webex Meetings, Events and Trainings will have a unique Host Key* generated for each occurrence of a recurring series. This means that if you previously made note of the Meeting Number and Host key for your recurring series, you will now need to check prior to each session for the new Host Key.

Why has this change been implemented? To prevent unauthorized use of the Host Key (or PIN), making your classes, meetings, and events even more secure.

What does this mean for you? It may not affect you at all, as most people do not need the Host Key to start and run Webex sessions. If you need to find your Host Key for a meeting, go to your account at uww.webex.com or to Host Information in the Outlook appointment.

Who will be impacted? Anyone who uses a Cisco Webex Control Panel to start Webex sessions in HyFlex Video-enabled classrooms or Video-enabled conference rooms will need to note the new Host Key for every recurrence. Anyone who uses or shares the Host Key for Meetings, Events, or Trainings will want to make note of this change.

When does this take effect? Immediately. It applies to previously scheduled sessions, so any Webex session moving forward will have a new Host Key after the scheduled time ends.

Does this only affect recurring meetings? No, the Host Key for any Webex session will renew when a session ends after its scheduled time.

*A Host Key (PIN) is a six-digit code generated when a Webex session is scheduled. The Host Key may be used to reclaim the host role within a live session, or it can be used to start a meeting from a video system.

Enter your Webex Host Key (PIN) when starting a meeting from a Cisco Touch Panel in our HyFlex Video-Enabled classrooms and conference rooms.

Canvas Update (10/17/2020)

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On Saturday, October 17, Instructure will deploy the latest release to the Canvas environment.  The highlights of this release are listed below.  The full release notes are also available.

  • Global Navigation – Recent History: The Global Navigation Menu includes a Recent History link, which displays recently visited pages in Canvas. This change helps users remember what page they last viewed in one or multiple courses.
  • Notifications – Notification Preferences Interface: The user-level Notifications page has been updated to match the design of the course-level Notifications page. Additional enhancements have been added to clarify notifications between each level..
  • MathJax Equation Improvements: The MathJax JS library has been improved to render equations in a more accessible format and promote ease of use. Math equations created anywhere in Canvas will be rendered as MathML. This change improves accessibility for equations throughout Canvas. Previously, equations were treated as an image and included title attributes and alternative text and were not available to keyboard users. Additionally, image views varied by browser and screen readers, equations could not be copied, and alternative text could be inadvertently changed or removed.

UW-Whitewater Updates

UDOIT Course Accessibility Checker is now available. The tool is designed to identify accessibility concerns and provide suggestions for improving course accessibility. There is an introduction and instructions for use available through the UW-System KB, and UWW trainings are available.

If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.

Call: Fall 2020 Institute for Online Teaching

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fall learning
The Call for the Fall 2020 asynchronous Online Teaching Institute is now open.


The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for a Fall 2020 Institute for Online Teaching which will pilot fully asynchronous delivery of the institute. The overall goal of the institute is to align quality course design with best practices in online teaching, preparing faculty for online course development, and teaching in future academic terms.

This Fall Institute is designed to be fully asynchronous and completed over a ten week period. The course models a fully online course including readings, materials, and short homework assignments. Participants will be required to build a fully online unit of a course they could teach.

We will be accepting 25 applicants into the Institute for Online Teaching this fall. Preference will be given to those faculty and full-time instructional academic staff who fully complete the application in a first come, first serve basis and who have not previously completed the Online / Blended teaching Institute since the summer of 2018. Once we accept 25 applicants, we will close the application. Applicants will be emailed regarding their acceptance on Friday, September 18, 2020 and be enrolled in the Canvas course site. Those who complete the Institute will be eligible for a $500 stipend through the UW System Online Learning Initiative.

The application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Any incomplete applications may be rejected. We recommend completing the application on a computer, as some questions involve typed responses.

For any additional information or questions, please contact the LTC.
Learning Technology Center
(262) 472-1004
ltc@uww.edu

Apply here: http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bHHZ00F1HaqPU8t

Webex Update (9/8/2020)

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On Tuesday, September 8, Cisco deployed the Webex Meetings 40.9 update. The highlights of this release are listed below. Full release notes are also available. Please note, some of the updates outlined in the full release notes are not yet available. We expect these to launch next Tuesday, September 15.

Optimized Audio and Video Preview
The larger, optimized Audio/Video Preview window makes it easier to look your best and find the settings you need before joining a meeting.

Webex preview window

Updated Controls in Meetings and Events
The look of the controls in Meetings and Events has changed to make them more intuitive and easier to use. Meeting controls are now clearly labeled and located at the bottom of your meeting window, which means you’ll always have them in sight, but without them covering up shared content or video.

Clear and easy-to-find meeting controls

Contextual Option Menus
Audio settings and camera settings can now be conveniently accessed in the menus at the right of their respective mute and camera buttons.

An easier way to adjust your setting

Consolidated Panel Controls
Panel controls (like Participants, Chat, and Q&A) can be found towards the right, where the panel opens.

Panel controls

Additional Virtual Background Improvements and Support
Cisco has added more virtual background images to choose from in your Meetings and Events. The virtual background feature is now supported on Macs with dual-core processors.

Virtual background preset images

Other Updates to Note:
-Users of Amazon Echo Show or Google Home Hub Smart Display devices will now be able to use Webex Meetings on these devices. Amazon Echo Show devices will be able to display meeting and recording lists, as well as play back recordings. Google Nest Hub devices will be able to display meeting and recording lists, play back recordings, and schedule meetings.
–Facebook Portal users will now be able to leverage their Webex Meetings app directly from all Facebook Portal devices! The experience will match what currently exists in the Android app.
–Cisco is officially retiring Support for Internet Explorer 10 and Windows 7. While users on these platforms won’t be prevented from joining or starting meetings, Cisco will no longer provide bug fixes or updates for this operating system and browser going forward.

If you have any questions or concerns about this update, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Canvas Workshops – Summer 2020

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During the Summer of 2020, the LTC will be offering opportunities to make simple changes to your courses to improve the canvas exerance for you and your students, and to dig deeper into Canvas features.  For self guided assistance, please view the Canvas Service Page.

What Students Want in Canvas 
There are many good ways to set up a course. This training will focus on making a series of small, easy, and optional, shifts from your current course design to a setup backed by feedback from student panels conducted right here at UW-Whitewater. We will focus on

  • Matching your Assignments and Grades area to your course syllabus
  • Reorganizing Modules to a chronological layout
  • Getting assignments and tasks populated to student calendars
  • Utilizing the description area of Quizzes and Assignments

The goal is not to change how you teach, just how students view the course.

Date/TimeLocationRegister
Thursday, May 28th
1:00pm – 2:00pm		WebexRegistration
Tuesday, June 2nd
11:00am – Noon		WebexRegistration
Wednesday, June 10th
10:00am – 11:00am		WebexRegistration
Thursday, June 25th
3:00pm – 4:00pm		WebexRegistration
Tuesday, July 7th
10:00am – 11:00am		WebexRegistration

Canvas Deep Dives (1 Hour)
We will focus on a single tool, and dive deep into various options and use cases for how that tool works.

  • Groups: This training will discuss what the tool is, how it differs from what we are use to in D2L, when it should be used, and when it shouldn’t be used.
  • Webex Tools: Webex is usable through Canvas, but does take some initial setup there.  If you are interested in using Webex for your classes, this is the workshop for you.
  • Content: This training will walk through embedding video content, linking to other course content, and utilizing the student “to-do” list.
  • Rubrics: This training will start with the general creation of rubrics, then expand to specific use cases of instructors attending the session.
Event NameDate/TimeLocationRegister
GroupsWednesday, June 3rd
1:00pm – 2:00pm		WebexRegistration
Webex ToolsWednesday, June 3rd
3:00pm – 4:00pm		WebexRegistration
ContentThursday, June 4th
1:00pm – 2:00pm		WebexRegistration
RubricsThursday, June 4th
3:00pm – 4:00pm		WebexRegistration
GroupsMonday, June 15th
11:00am – Noon		WebexRegistration
Webex ToolsTuesday, June 16th
11:00am – Noon		WebexRegistration
ContentMonday, June 29th
1:00pm – 2:00pm		WebexRegistration
RubricsTuesday, June 30th
1:00pm – 2:00pm		WebexRegistration

If you have any questions about these sessions, please reach out to the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Summer 2020 Online/Blended Teaching Institute Applications due May 13th

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The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the Summer 2020 Online/Blended Teaching Institute.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 13th, 2020. Deans will select participants from their College’s pool of applicants.

online learning

Online/Blended Teaching Institute Summer 2020

The overall goal of the institute is to align quality course design with best practices in online teaching, preparing faculty for online course development, and teaching in future academic terms.

The Summer 2020 Institute will be offered entirely online via a combination of synchronous Webex seminars and asynchronous content in Canvas.  You will be able to complete the Institute remotely!

The schedule for the 2020 Online/Blended Teaching Institute:

June 19, 2020: choice of EITHER 9:00 am – noon OR 1:00pm – 4:00pm
June 26, 2020: choice of EITHER 9:00 am – noon OR 1:00pm – 4:00pm
July 10, 2020:  9:00 am – 12:00 pm
July 17, 2020:  9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Submission of final Institute content July 31, 2020.

For any additional information or questions, please contact the LTC.
Learning Technology Center
(262) 472-1004
ltc@uww.edu

Apply here:
http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NaNlIAHkegdxt3

“Humanizing Your Courses” Workshop Series Spring 2020

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You’re invited to attend this the continuation of the “Humanizing Your Courses” LEARN Center / LTC Workshop Series.  The first session this Spring on “Developing Affective Learning” is February 13 in the UC.  Lunch is provided!  Sign up here.

Humanizing Your Courses

Learning Domains workshop February 13

Inspired by the thinking of Michelle Pacansky-Brock, the “Humanizing Your Courses” series will explore ways to create human-centered learning experiences. Humanized learning leverages the potential of digital technologies to connect with students, foster relationships, and build community. Throughout Spring 2020, we will explore the main topics of Learning Domains, Accessibility, and Communities of Inquiry.

Upcoming sessions: times and locations to be determined
March 9th: Universal Design: Reaching our Diverse Learners
March 16th: Using campus technology for Universal Design
April 21st: Communities of Inquiry – Going beyond information conveyance to collaborative exploration

Spring 2020 Canvas Course Prep Session

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On Friday, January 10th there will be a three hour Open Lab in McGraw 19C, spotted with five-minute mini sessions about targeted reminders on a wide range of topics. The LTC and LEARN Center would like to help you work on anything on your start of semester to-do list. Even if the mini session don’t touch on your tasks, there will be people here to help with anything during the Open Lab times.

  • 1:00pm-1:30pm Canvas 24-7 Support vs HelpDesk followed by Open Lab
  • 1:30pm-2:00pm Transferring content from one Canvas course to another followed by Open Lab
  • 2:00pm-2:30pm What goes into a syllabus, and what resources are available? Followed by Open Lab
  • 2:30pm-3:00pm Gradebook setup followed by Open Lab
  • 3:00pm-3:30pm Designing good assignments in Canvas followed by Open Lab
  • 3:30pm-4:00pm LEARN Center offerings for Spring followed by Open Lab

If the above is too much to keep track of during this busy time of year, just stop in during any time that works for you, and we will be here to help you get done the things YOU need to get done.

While walk-ins are encouraged, if you plan on joining us at any point, please consider signing up in advance so we know to expect you.

If you have any questions about these sessions, please reach out to the UW-W Learning Technology Center.