Author Archives: Aaron Axelsen

Fall 2019 Learning Technology Center Updates

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The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) serves all staff in acquiring technology skills needed to be successful in a 21st century learning and working environment. Our enthusiastic team of experienced staff and dedicated student assistants assist: Instructional Staff to effectively use technology to support teaching and learning; and All Staff to effectively use technology to enhance communication, collaboration, and productivity related to their work.

Canvas

Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) for the UW-System. Canvas is capable of organizing course materials, accepting student submissions, housing online discussions, autograding quizzes, and more. Canvas offers an enhanced teaching and learning experience for you and your students, which includes a streamlined grading experience and easy to use rubrics! As of summer 2019, Desire2learn is no longer available for courses but will remain available until June 2020 to transfer materials.

Here are a few of the recent highlights.

  • Canvas Course Templates: Additional Flexibility Available.  On Tuesday May 28th, UW-System approved a change in Canvas to allow for additional flexibility in the Course Navigation area and in the number of Announcements shown. Additional information is available at: http://blogs.uww.edu/instructional/2019/06/06/canvas-course-templates-additional-flexibility-available/
  • Grade Posting Policy. Located in the gradebook settings, the Grade Posting Policy can be set to automatic or manual. When set to Manual, grades are automatically hidden (muted) by default which can later be released to students from within the SpeedGrader tool.
  • Total Grade Calculations with Missing Assignments. Any ungraded items can result in different final grades being presented to Teachers, Students, and/or the WINS, depending on the settings used by each individual. The only way to ensure grades are consistently displayed is to follow these best practices.
  • Course Combinations.  Do you want to combine multiple sections of the same course into a single Canvas course?  Follow the steps in the Cross-Listing/Merging Canvas Courses guide.  If you need to combine courses that you are not the teacher for or if you have any questions please contact Canvas support.
  • Internet Explorer 11 Support. Canvas recently dropped support for the Internet Explorer Browser. If you have been using Internet Explorer, please switch to a supported Canvas Browser.

Helpful Links

24/7/365 Support

Canvas has a robust technical support service that includes 24 / 7 / 365 toll-free hotline and live online chat interactions.  Please use this for all Canvas Questions.

Tell us about your Canvas support experience!

Whether you got an awesome answer from Canvas Support, or if you were wishing they would have provided more information – let us know! We review all support interactions on a regular basis – and we want to make sure you get the support and answers you need!

Submit your feedback by going to http://uww.edu/icit/services/canvas and clicking on the Vendor Support Feedback button.

UW-Whitewater Mobile App

The official UW-Whitewater App is now available to download. Instructors may find the App useful for communication with students, to see upcoming campus events, and to help students connect with resources. Be sure to authorize the UW-Whitewater App to interact with your course in Canvas. This will allow your students to get assignment due notifications inside of the app. For directions, visit our information page on using the UW-Whitewater App in Canvas.

For additional information please check out our website: http://www.uww.edu/icit/services/uw-whitewater-mobile-app

Canvas Workshops

During the Fall 2019 semester, the LTC will be offering opportunities to work on and learn about Canvas features. Open labs will be available to answer your Canvas questions whether you are working on your current course, or planning for the future. Deep Dives will focus on specific tools can help you in your current courses.

View the Workshop schedule and signup now at: http://go.uww.edu/ltc-workshop-signup

Canvas Snippets

We have collected some tips and tricks from your colleagues to help you setup your courses in Canvas.

Adaptive Learning

During the 2019-2020 academic year, the LTC is continuing to explore adaptive learning. A small group of instructors is currently exploring using adaptive learning in a variety of courses, with the goal of sharing their experiences using adaptive learning next spring or summer. Additionally, the LTC would like to invite all members of the UW-Whitewater campus community (students, staff, faculty) to two open discussions on adaptive learning this fall.

  • Friday September 27th from 9:30 am to 10:15 am in McGraw 19A
  • Friday October 25th from 9:30 am to 10:15 am in McGraw 19A

For more information on the LTC’s adaptive learning exploration, please feel free to contact us at icit-techpilots@uww.edu

Humanizing Your Courses

The 2019-2020 LTC Learn Center workshop series explores creating human-centered learning experiences. Humanized learning leverages the potential of digital technologies to connect with students, foster relationships, and build community. This process blends course design and facilitation, while engaging the cognitive and affective domains of learning.

FALL 2019

  • What is Humanizing?
    September 24th 12:00pm – 1:15pm
  • Facilitation: Presence, Empathy and Awareness
    October 21st 12:30pm – 1:45pm
  • Choice, Control, Constructing Meaning, Challenges, Collaboration, and Consequences: Human-centered Course Design
    November 12th 12:00pm – 1:15pm

Register at http://signup.uww.edu

Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference – May 2020 – Save the Date!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference this past may. We will be holding the next Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020!

Add to Outlook Calendar

Weekly Email Updates

Did you know that you can get a weekly email update about what’s going on in the LTC? Every Monday morning, you’ll get an email that contains a summary of the latest items from our blog. To signup for these updates, just fill out the form below!


Turning Point 8

Turning Point is a student response system that allows instructors to integrate polling slides into their PowerPoint presentations or to pose standalone questions. Students can respond using an app / website on a mobile device or a physical clicker. Self paced polling and Canvas gradebook integration is also available.

The cost for students has been greatly reduced for the Fall 2019 semester! The student license has been reduced from $24.99 to $14.99 for a 1 year term.

Additionally, a no-cost pilot is available for new instructors who want to try out TurningPoint in their courses.

Join us on Wednesday, September 11th for some Turning Point workshops!

Contact the Learning Technology Center for more details!

Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere offers flexible options for interaction in the classroom. Instructors choose from a large variety of poll activities, including multiple choice, open response, live word clouds, clickable images, up- and down-voting for Q & A, and rank order. Students respond on the web or via SMS texting at no cost to them.

If you think you might be interested in using Poll Everywhere but aren’t sure where to get started, consider attending one of the LTC’s information sessions this spring.

http://go.uww.edu/ltc-workshop-signup

LinkedIn Learning

Let the learning begin! All UW-Whitewater staff, faculty and students now have access to LinkedIn Learning, which teaches the latest software, creative, and business skills through high-quality online instructional videos featuring recognized industry experts. Lynda.com was bought by LinkedIn in 2015 and this is the roll out of the same great content under the LinkedIn Learning branding.

Explore a wide range of subjects from Microsoft Office (2013 and 2016), Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Etc) photography, 3D animation, music, and video to graphic design, project management, and web development. New courses are added every week.

Access the LinkedIn Learning library 24/7 from desktops, laptops, smartphones, or tablets. Use the lynda.com app for iPhone, iPad, or Android or log in via the LinkedIn Learning mobile site. Watch entire courses or single tutorial videos as needed, share course playlists, bookmark courses you’d like to watch, or use exercise files to follow along with the instruction as you learn, and much more.

Access full video training courses by going to https://go.uww.edu/linkedinlearning, then login using your Net-ID and password.

Collaboration Tools

Here are just a few of the collaboration tools we have available! Looking for something else, just ask us!

Webex Teams is a collaboration tool designed for continuous teamwork with video meetings, group messaging, file sharing and white boarding. Get started at: https://www.uww.edu/icit/services/webex-teams

Webex Meetings is an online web conferencing tool that allows you to meet with colleagues or classmates anywhere in the world using your internet. Get started at: https://www.uww.edu/icit/services/web-conferencing-and-webex-meetings#WebexMeetings

The Cisco Webex Education Connector is now available for use in Canvas! The Webex Connector allows you to interact with Webex Meetings and Webex Teams directly from your Canvas course. It can be accessed by clicking on “Cisco Webex” in the course navigation menu. Get started at: https://spaces.uww.edu/x/74I3AQ

Google Apps are web-based tools available to all UW-Whitewater users. They allow you to create, share and access documents from any internet-connected computer, tablet, or mobile device. Get started at: https://www.uww.edu/icit/services/google

Technology Training

Hands-on training offered focuses on productivity, communication, and collaboration tools. See the schedule at signup.uww.edu

Custom Consulting and Training Services are aimed at helping departments find software solutions to meet their needs. Small-group training sessions can be customized to cover topics relevant to your team and available schedule.

Contact the Learning Technology Center for additional information!

Media Recording Scheduling

The Learning Technology Center (LTC) offers video recording and media production services for instructional use. We now have a new web based scheduling form! 

Choose from one of our popular configurations:

  • Presenter Only
  • Interview Setup
  • Weatherman Setup
  • Lightboard Setup
  • Any many more!

Schedule your recordings by going to http://www.uww.edu/icit/services/media-production#Scheduling

Canvas Media Management Tools

There are several different methods to create and publish media within Canvas. The preferred solution at UW-Whitewater is Vbrick Rev.

VBrick Rev is the preferred and recommended media management system at UW-Whitewater.

Recommended Rev Use:
• Reusable videos.
• Password protected content.

Kaltura is the media management system available for all of UW-System through integration in Canvas.

Recommended Kaltura Use:
• One-time use videos.
• Student assignments.
• Recording screen captures and webcam recordings.

Visit the Canvas Media Management Tools page for more information.

Don’t forget to Visit Us

Are you still with us? If so – great, you made it to the end! Be sure to stop by the LTC throughout the semester to visit. As a reminder, we are located in McGraw Hall, Suite 120 and are available between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM weekdays. We can also be reached at ltc@uww.edu or 262.472.1004. We’ll always be willing to help, and have plenty of treats on hand for your sweet tooth. Have a great semester!

Enhance Learning with TurningPoint Polling

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Interested in incorporating polling into your classroom? TurningPoint is the campus supported student response system, that allows you to poll your class and display results instantly. Representatives from Turning Technologies will be on campus Wednesday, September 11th. Join us for one of these sessions Virtually via Webex or physically in McGraw 19a to learn more.

Introduction to Turning Technologies

This session will go over the basics of Turning Technologies and everything you need to know to get started.  Don’t worry, if you are new to the software we can get you setup with a no cost pilot for your students! Light refreshments will be served.

Register now for either session at 9am or 2pm!

TurningPoint Web

TurningPoint web is a new, fully web based solution available for use on campus this Fall. Previously, downloading the TurningPoint application was required to run a polling session. Light refreshments will be served.

Register now for either session at 11am or 3pm!

If you have any questions about these workshop, contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Recent LTC Staff Presentations

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Over the last six months, several Learning Technology Center staff members have given presentations and workshops at national and regional conferences.

Learning Technology Center

In February, Director of Learning Technology Nicole Weber co-presented, with Professor Matt Vick, “What it took to create my first adaptive course: A Faculty Perspective” as a webinar for the adaptive learning platform Realizeit. 

In April, several LTC staff members presented or co-presented several presentations at the UW System Learning Technology Development Council Virtual Showcase. The presentations were “Experiences incorporating a student perspective into an adaptive learning pilot project,” “Piloting adaptive learning with an upper-level professional course,” and “Open Educational Resources (OERs) to help transform students to learners.” 

In August, Director of Learning Technology Nicole Weber co-presented “Building a comprehensive online and blended faculty development program” at the 2019 Distance Teaching and Learning (DTL) Conference. Learning Technology Specialist Andrew Cole also presented at the DTL Conference, facilitating a workshop called “Facilitate genuine communication in your online course.” Proceedings papers from the DTL Conference can be found at this link.

For more on the Learning Technology Center, please see the LTC website.

Interested in personalized and adaptive learning?

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Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement in your online course? Are you not sure how to best monitor student progress when you don’t see your students in class? Would you like to be able to have resources that more specifically meet the needs of your students, while allowing them to skip things they have already learned? If so, you might be interested in joining the conversation about personalized and adaptive learning on campus! Adaptive learning platforms incorporate analytics with the aim of helping instructors monitor student progress, and use various methods to cultivate individualized pathways to better meet students’ specific needs.

Adaptive learning pathways can function similarly to nodes in a network.

Over the past year, the Learning Technology Center (LTC) has collaborated with instructors around campus to explore adaptive learning. The LTC would like to invite any UW-Whitewater faculty, staff, or student interested in adaptive and personalized learning to our two meetings discussing the state of adaptive learning on campus this fall:

Friday September 27th from 9:30 to 10:15 am in McGraw 19A
Friday October 25th from 9:30 to 10:15 am in McGraw 19A

No registration is necessary! Just stop in and join the discussion!

You can find out more information on adaptive learning from EDUCAUSE’s “7 Things You Should Know About Adaptive Learning.” If you have any questions about these meetings, or adaptive learning, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Learn about Respondus LockDown Browser

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Respondus LockDown Browser (LDB) is a secure browser for taking quizzes in Canvas. It allows students to take a quiz in a locked down environment. When students use LockDown Browser, they are unable to print, copy, go to another website/URL, or access other software programs.

Respondus is offering some instructor training webinars this month!  This comprehensive training webinar is intended for instructors who plan to use LockDown Browser and/or Respondus Monitor with online exams. The session provides a detailed demonstration of both applications, including new enhancements that make Respondus Monitor even more effective and easy to use.

Are you ready to learn more?  Signup for one of Respondus led webinar sessions below.

If you have additional questions about Responds LockDown Browser and/or Monitor please contact the Learning Technology Center.

What’s New in Canvas? (07/13/2019)

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KNOWN ISSUE: Some instructors report that Canvas Gradebook columns have been “hidden” from students even through the instructors did not choose that setting. Canvas is working on a fix for the issue. There is a workaround and more information available at: https://kb.wisconsin.edu/dle/news.php?id=10487

On Saturday, July 13, Instructure deployed the latest release to the Canvas environment.  The highlights of this release are listed below.  The full release notes are also available.

New Features

  • Grade Posting Policy.  Located in the gradebook settings, the Grade Posting Policy can be set to automatic or manual.  When set to Manual, grades are automatically hidden (muted) by default.

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

2019 Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference Recap

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On May 22nd, 2019, the LEARN Center and Learning Technology Center held the 2nd Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference.  We had 107 attendees – with almost 50 presenters and 30 volunteers we really owe it to you for making this a successful event!

There were a number of great talks on a wide variety of topics, and a great keynote presentation “Even Online Students” from Dr. Evie Oregon of Western Kentucky University. If you want to see some of the handouts from the sessions,or view the recording of the keynote presentation – jump on over to the conference site: http://blogs.uww.edu/ctl/schedule

Most importantly, we heard your feedback loud and clear –and planning is underway for the 2020 Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference, which will be held on Wednesday, May 20th, 2020!  That’s a lot of 20s!  Be sure to subscribe to our blog, and keep your eye out for more information.

Don’t be a stranger in the meantime, look for a great lineup of workshops and events for the next academic year!

View Pictures on Facebook

Save the Date

Cisco Webex Education Connector for Canvas

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The Cisco Webex Connector is now available for use in Canvas!  The Webex Connector allows you to interact with Webex Meetings and Webex Teams directly from your Canvas course.  It can be accessed by clicking on “Cisco Webex” in the course navigation menu.

To get started with the Cisco Webex Education Connector, see: https://spaces.uww.edu/x/74I3AQ

This is a replacement for the “Webex (Legacy)” integration which will be removed on Monday, August 19th, 2019 after the completion of the Summer term.

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

Kaltura Media Migration: D2L -> Canvas

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As of May 28th, 2019, all Kaltura media that was created by instructors and accessed with Desire2Learn (D2L) between September 1st, 2018 and May 21st, 2019 has been migrated to Canvas.

This does not impact media material that is located on Vbrick Rev (Streaming.uww.edu).

We have created a Canvas Media Management Tools guide to help explain the best use cases for each of the media management tools available at UW-Whitewater.

If you have additional questions regarding the Kaltura Media Migration, please contact the Learning Technology Center.

What does this migration mean for me?

Inside of Canvas, you can access the “My Media” tool by clicking on the “Account” item on the left global navigation menu, and then by selecting “My Media” from the account menu.  Within this interface, you will be able to create, edit, delete and view all of your Kaltura media that exists within Canvas.

From the editing toolbar in Canvas, you can click on the “More Tools” icon highlighted in the image below, and select “My Media” to embed videos in your content.

Can I still use Kaltura CaptureSpace?

Kaltura CaptureSpace has been discontinued as of June 1st, 2019 and is no longer supported by the vendor.  There is a new tool called Kaltura Capture which has the same functionality as CaptureSpace.  Visit the Kaltura Capture guide to get started.

What if I can’t find all of my media content in Canvas?

If there is video content missing that you had within D2L, contact the Learning Technology Center and we can migrate that over as well. Currently, we only moved over media that was created by instructors and accessed since September 1st, 2018.

Why was it necessary to migrate my media?

With the launch of Canvas, there was also a new Kaltura instance that was put in place by UW-System. This is totally separate from the Kaltura instance that has been connected with D2L.


[Resolved] Blogs@UWW Outage 5/8

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The Blogs@UWW service was unavailable between approximately 9:00 AM and ~12:13 PM on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019. The service has now been restored, but any media content (images or files) uploaded to the service between Sunday, May 5th at 11:00 PM and Wednesday, May 8th at 12:13 PM will need to be re-uploaded and linked. We apologize for the inconvenience.

If you have any additional questions about this outage, please contact the UW-W Helpdesk.