Google Docs

Google Docs (Drive) is a web-based office suite and data storage service offered by Google, which allows users to create and edit documents online, while collaborating in real-time with others, from any computer with internet access.

Faculty and students have the ability to upload and create Documents, Spreadsheets, Forms, Drawings, and Presentations online without having to install any software. Google Docs serves as a collaborative tool for editing in real time, allowing documents to be shared, opened, and edited by multiple users at the same time.  Additionally, the application can notify users when a comment or discussion is made or replied to, facilitating collaboration and supplying a revision history, allowing users to see what changes were made.

Google Drive is primarily intended as a convenient online location where students and faculty can store files, completely eliminating or reducing the need to rely on portable USB drives.  This functionality extends beyond simple file storage: files stored on Google Drive can easily be shared with on- and off-campus colleagues or coworkers, eliminating the need for sending bulky e-mail attachments.  Now you can simply include a link to the file stored on Google Docs, and recipient will always have access to the most recent information.

The tutorial is available at: Google: Docs and Sites, or sign up for training at http://signup.uww.edu.

If you have any additional questions regarding Google Docs, please contact the UW-W TSC Helpdesk.

D2L Known Issues List

On the Instructional Technology wiki, a page is available that lists known issues with the current version of D2L. These are issues, bugs, or errors that Desire2Learn is aware of and have plans to correct in future Service Packs and updates. This Known Issues list wiki page is available here.

As Service Packs and updates are applied to D2L, we will update this wiki page with information on what the Service Pack has fixed.

Tips for Working in D2L During Performance Issues

As of 1:00 pm on 9/6/12, the Learn@UW Utility is actively engaged with D2L and Microsoft experts for a solution to our D2L performance problems. All UW System campuses are experiencing slow D2L system performance.  As we wait for a resolution to the D2L issues, we have the following recommendations for you:

  • Try to work during low usage periods, including early morning (i.e., before 9 a.m.) and in the late evening or at night (i.e., after 8 p.m.). Avoid the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. time period whenever possible as this seems to be the highest peak of usage time.
  • Draft your discussion messages in Word and copy/paste to D2L when you want to post. This strategy will save you from losing a message you draft in D2L in the event that D2L times out when you are submitting.
  • Print Content items for the current week so you can still reference course materials if/when D2L is down.
  • Ask your professor if it is acceptable to send assignments via email if you are unable to access the Dropbox. You can find your professor’s email address in the UW-W Directory (http://wp.uww.edu). Make a note of the instructor’s email address (and phone number if provided) in case you are unable to login and need to send a message.
  • Save each answer when taking a quiz. This strategy will prevent you from losing your quiz answers, in the event that D2L times out at the moment you submit your quiz.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute! Plan ahead and give yourself extra time to meet deadlines. Do not submit a quiz or upload a file to the Dropbox right before a deadline in the event that the system times out or takes longer than anticipated to process your request.
  • View the Dropbox submission history to verify that your Dropbox submission was successful. In the Dropbox area, click the “View History” button.
  • Check the D2L login page for news. Any information or updates we receive about outages or problems with D2L will be posted on the D2L login page.

We will continue to share any updates regarding the performance issues with you as we receive them from Learn@UW in Madison. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience at this time.

If you have questions, please email UW-W D2L Support.