Category Archives: Announcements & News

Announcements and news on technologies

Fall 2016 Updates from the Learning Technology Center

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From left to right: Elizabeth Simpson (Instructional Design Specialist), Jessica Eddy (Technology Training & Advancement Advocate), Nicole Weber (Director of Learning Technology), Elaina Barr (Media & Training Specialist), Aaron Axelsen (Operations Manager).

The UW-Whitewater Learning Technology Center (LTC) is here and ready to help you! Our team of experts have a wide range of skills to tackle all of your instructional course related needs.

Join us Monday, August 29th from 2PM to 5PM at the annual ICIT Technology Open House to chat about teaching and technology. The event is located in room 275 (Grand Ballroom) in the University Center.  We hope to see you there!

Desire2Learn 10.6 Upgrade

Logo_Brightspace_rgb_1200x630On June 9th, 2016, the Desire2Learn 10.6 upgrade was complete.  Overall, there were not any major changes to the way D2L operates.

The Turnitin integration has been updated.  The new integration moves the configuration to a new tab within the Dropbox edit screen.  There are some additional options that are now available directly inside of D2L as well.  Peermark is currently not available via the integration, and must be used directly from turnitin.com.tii

Respondus Lockdown Browser configuration has also been moved to a new link on the quizzes windows.  The new integration allows for the use of Respondus Monitor, the Respondus iPad App and now has options to support Jaws and other screen reader technologies for enhanced accessibility.rldbFor a full list of changes, see: What’s new in Desire2Learn 10.6.

Instructor Support Survey

Thank you to all the instructors who completed the LTC Instructor Support Survey this past April. Congratulations to Andrew Dahl (Marketing) and Rachelle Yankelevitz (Psychology) whose names were selected from the drawing to win mini iPads!

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Over 100 instructors completed the survey and we could not be more pleased with the information that was provided. We intend to use the information to make data-driven decisions about our support, programming, resources, and emerging technology exploration projects over the next year.

We received so much great data that we are still sifting through it, but we will be sure to share what we learned on the LTC Instructional Resources Blog when the final report is complete. As a sneak peak, instructors identified being most interested in learning more about active learning strategies for technology-enhanced, blended, and online courses. This helped us to focus our themed workshop collaboration with LEARN this fall on Active Learning Strategies!

Weekly Email Updates

figure3_4Did you know that you can get a weekly email updates 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!


Active Learning Workshop Series

The LTC and LEARN Center are pleased to co-sponsor a 3-part workshop series focused on active learning.  This series will explore a variety of approaches to active learning, applicable to both face-to-face, hybrid, and online learning environments.

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Session 1: Active Learning, an Introduction: September 15th, 11 am – noon, UC 262

Session 2: Incorporating Active Learning Strategies into your Teaching: Evidence-Based Practices, Case Studies, and Stories from the Field: October 19th, 12:30-2 pm

Session 3: The Unique Challenges of Active Learning in an Online/Blended Environment: November 17th, 11 am – noon

For more information, visit: https://wp.me/p2U0PY-foU

Fall 2016 Starter Course

The Learning Technology Center is pleased to share an updated D2L Starter Course for faculty and staff.

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The Starter Course is a template, pre-loaded with important campus policies, teaching resources, student support resources, and module outlines.  It can be copied into your course and edited to meet your teaching needs.  While it was designed for the needs of online instructors, it is useful for any modality.

These student support resources come from the LEAP project of Jodi Galvan and Stephanie Douglas, who implemented these resources in their courses. Their students responded positively, and stated that they helped them to understand if online learning is a good fit for them, reduced fear and anxiety, and gave them time management skills to help them succeed.

For more information, visit: https://wp.me/p2U0PY-fp0

Instructor Spotlight!

Do you want to help us promote a technology for your fellow colleagues?  If so, let us know!  We are currently putting the final touches on some short videos featuring D2L, Quality Matters, and ePortfolio that we will be releasing soon.  In the meantime, check out these videos from Carol Scovotti on using WebEx and Matt Vick on Rubrics!

Educause ELI Initiative

ELI_103X103ICIT has purchased a membership to the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI)! Creating a profile and selecting UW-Whitewater as your organization allows access to the “community of higher education institutions and organizations committed to the advancement of learning through the innovative application of technology.” (http://www.educause.edu/eli).

This means access to:

Updates from the System: LERG

Fall 2016 is the beginning of the Learning Environment Requirements Gathering (LERG) process, in preparation for the learning management system RFP.

shutterstock_345584081As many are aware, the current UW System contract for the D2L Brightspace learning management system (LMS) will end on June 30, 2018. Information from the requirements gathering process and the UW System Learning Environment Needs Analysis (LENA) project will be used to create and issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) in late 2016 with the objective of identifying and selecting the appropriate digital learning environment for the UW System institutions by Spring 2017.  The Learn@UW Executive Committee will manage and oversee the requirements gathering process.

The UW System intends to gather requirements from various stakeholders this fall.  We will update you are we receive additional information.

CaptureFilms on Demand D2L Integration

If you are not aware, UW-Whitewater has a license for the vast array of film content available in the Films on Demand library.  You can now access these Films directly from Desire2Learn!

More information at: https://spaces.uww.edu/x/A4Bk

Exploration: New Technologies

shutterstock_382942804We have been exploring a number of cool technologies and have some new things for you to try out!

  • Learning Analytics Tool Chest Pilot. We are participating in the UW System Learning Analytics Tool Chest Exploration Project for the Spring 2017 semester. Learning analytic software allows students, instructors, advisors, and administrators insight into specific avenues that can influence student success in a course. More information to come soon!
  • KleerBoard.  We recently added a new technology into our media recording studio.  The KleerBoard is a clear acylic board that you can use like a white board.  Being clear, we can shoot through it with the camera and create some unique videos.  More at: https://wp.me/p2U0PY-fnC
  • TurningPoint Cloud.  We have deployed TurningPoint Cloud to campus.  This comes with a number of new features and better D2L integration.  More at: https://wp.me/p2U0PY-fnL

Need Desire2Learn Help?

We are here to help you with all your Desire2Learn (D2L) course needs! The best way to request support is by using our online support form which is located at http://d2l.uww.edu/contact

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We do our best to respond to all support request within 1 business day of receiving them.  We do monitor the box on evenings and weekends for critical issues on a best effort basis.

Don’t forget to request for fall semester courses!  Course creation must be completed every semester, and it is a manual process on our end.  Courses created by 3pm on business days are typically available the next day.  Request for your courses at http://my.uww.edu/d2lrequest

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 around 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!

Transitioning to TurningPoint Cloud Webinar

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Turning Technologies will be offering a series of complimentary webinars to help acclimate current users to their newest software, TurningPoint Cloud. Learn about new features and enhancements that have been introduced from customer feedback to effectively engage students, measure understanding and track progress.

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The topics included are “Creating an Account”, “Downloading Software”, “Starting a ResponseWare Session”, and “Differences between Softwares and Reports”.

You can register below:

Thursday, April 28th at 3:00pm

Tuesday, May 3rd at 10:00am

Wednesday May 11th at 2:00pm

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at ltc@uww.edu .

 

Update to TurningPoint Cloud

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On Tuesday April 26th at 11:00am, the LTC will be holding a workshop to introduce the newest version of our Student Response System, Turning Point Cloud.

This session will talk about the relevant updates to TurningPoint Cloud, including the licensing model changes.  This change will impact all clicker users.

Tuesday April 26th: 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112
Please Register:
https://my.uww.edu/signup/Registration/Details/14663

Updated documentation can be found here:

If you have any questions regarding current clicker issues, or anything that’s coming, let us know by calling us at 262.472.1004 or ltc@uww.edu

 

Fall 2016 Course Requests Available

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Fall 2016 D2L course requests are available in the D2L Course Request Application.

As a reminder, course requests for a semester become available on the first day of priority registration for students, and course shells for D2L need to be requested for every semester you plan on using D2L.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UW-W D2L Support.

RFP, Community of Practice Project Grants

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LTC_Logo_FBThe University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Learning Technology Center is pleased to announce the Request for Proposal (RFP) for funding for five course-based projects, focusing on innovations in online or blended education.

Each project will be funded $300 for the completion of a semester-long, course based project, which will take place the Fall 2016 semester.  If the project specifically investigates issues related to accessibility, the Center for Students with Disabilities has graciously agreed to supplement an additional $300, for a total of $600 per project. There is a small amount of additional funding for the purchase of licenses, if necessary for the project.

The purpose of these course-based projects is to experiment with a variety of technology-based teaching solutions that work to solve a pedagogical challenge in online and blended teaching and learning, and create a repository of resources to assist faculty who are confronting similar issues.  These five projects will focus on innovation in online/blended education, with the intention that these innovative practices will be shared with the UW-Whitewater community, the UW-System, and beyond.  

Potential projects may include:  

  • Engaging students through adaptive learning or gamification
  • Exploring the effectiveness of different presentation styles and lengths using V-Brick Rev
  • Flipping a current face-to-face course
  • Incorporating open educational resources into content course design
  • Investigating a new approach to online discussions
  • Revising course using universal design principles for an accessible course
  • Revising PDF readings to promote accessibility with screen readers
  • Supporting collaborative assignments

Project proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Potential to meet stated learning goals;
  • Ability to be implemented on a larger scale;
  • Potential to impact instructor teaching;
  • Potential to impact student learning; and
  • Adding to the body of knowledge at the Learning Technology Center and UW-Whitewater

The participants of these projects will be required to have three project development meetings with an LTC mentor over the course of the summer and fall semester. Participants will also need to collaborate with the LTC mentor for IRB approval.  Upon completion, participants will be expected to present their experiences at a session of the Community of Practice, have a formal presentation recorded in a media studio for distribution, and create artifacts to help others implement their practice. It will also be strongly encouraged that participants seek to publish in relevant journals or present their experiences at conferences such as the Learning Technology Development Council’s Virtual Showcase, the OPID conference, and the regional D2L Ignite conferences.

Deadlines:  Proposals are due April 15, 2016.  Accepted projects will be announced by May 2, 2016.  Submit your proposal at: Community of Practice RFP.

Applications will be completed in Qualtrics and will need to address the following:

  1. What is your name?
  2. What is your email address?
  3. What is your college?
  4. In what Fall 2016 course will you be implementing your strategy?  Please provide the department, course number, and title (e.g., EDFOUND 243:  Foundations of Education in a Pluralistic Society).
  5. What is your expected course enrollment?
  6. What is the title of your project?
  7. Who will be working on this project?  Please include yourself and any collaborators, along with appropriate contact information (i.e., phone number, email address, office location)
  8. What problem or issue are you planning to investigate in this project?
  9. What is your project plan?  Please provide a plan and timeline that includes SMART objectives that account for designing your project (e.g., how you will analyze the software or strategy to make sure it works for your needs, how you will introduce it to your students in your Fall 2016 course, how you intend to assess its impact on teaching and learning, how you will gain IRB approval, etc.) over the summer, implementing your strategy in Fall 2016, and creating your artifact before the start of the Spring 2017 semester.

    SMART objectives are:  
    Specific:  your objectives must be clear so that if someone reads them, s/he can interpret them.  
    Measurable:  you should be able to measure whether you are meeting the objectives or not
    Achievable:  do not try to attempt more than you can reasonably achieve
    Realistic:  do you have the resources to achieve the objective(s)?
    Time-specific:  specify when an objective will be attained (date/timeline)

  10. How have you determined that your project is a possible solution to the project or issue you identified (e.g., tried a similar product in the past, did research, spoke with colleagues, etc.)?
  11. How do you intend to address universal design or accessibility in your project?
  12. How you do see your project impacting students, instructors, and/or the UW System?
  13. How will you evaluate the success of your project (e.g., how will you know that your strategy positively impacted students)?
  14. What other resources (LMS campus administrator, UW System technical staff, campus student support services, LEARN Center, Center for Students with Disability staff, etc.) that you will need assistance from to design and/or implement your project?
  15. Do you need to purchase additional software for this project?  If so, how much is it and what purpose does it serve for your project?  

Link to proposal:  Community of Practice RFP

If you have any questions, please contact the Learning Technology Center.

Summer 2016 Course Requests Available

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Summer 2016 D2L course requests are available in the D2L Course Request Application.

As a reminder, course requests for a semester become available on the first day of priority registration for students, and course shells for D2L need to be requested for every semester you plan on using D2L.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UW-W D2L Support.

D2L Winter Workshops, January 11-12, 2016

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DSC_3956The Learning Technology Center is pleased to invite faculty and instructional staff to the D2L Winter Workshop series, a series of hands-on sessions held on Monday and Tuesday, January 11-12, 2016 from 1:00-4:00PM in Hyer 210.

This D2L Winterim Workshop series includes breakout sessions on D2L tools, such as Quizzes, Discussions, Dropbox, and Content.  These will include a variety of hands-on “How To” sessions for all levels of D2L users. Each session will be “hands on” and include some tips and tricks for attendees to become D2L power users.

All faculty and instructional staff are welcome.  Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.  There is no stipend associated with this workshop series.

Program Summary:

If you have any questions about this workshop, please contact the Learning Technology Center.

Spring 2016 Course Requests Available

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Spring 2016 D2L course requests are available in the D2L Course Request Application.

As a reminder, course requests for a semester become available on the first day of priority registration for students, and course shells for D2L need to be requested for every semester you plan on using D2L.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UW-W D2L Support.