Category Archives: Announcements & News

Announcements and news on technologies

Canvas Update (03/19/2022)

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On Saturday March 19, Instructure deployed the latest release to the Canvas environment. The highlights of this release are listed below. The full release notes are also available.

  • Gradebook – Enhanced Gradebook Filters:  When the Enhanced Gradebook Filters feature preview is enabled for a course, instructors can create filters that can be saved or used one time.
  • Rich Content Editor – Equation Editor Update: When a user creates equations in the Rich Content Editor, the Equation Editor displays an updated user interface.
  • New Quizzes – Item Bank Filtering Terminology Adjustments: In New Quizzes item banks, the All My Banks and All My Course Banks filters have been replaced as the All Banks and Banks Shared to Course filters. Additionally, the This Course filter has been added to the filter options.

If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, or even just curious about how they can help you, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.

2022 Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Honorarium

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The Cisco/Presidio Teaching with Technology Innovator Honorarium is a recognition that will be bestowed upon an instructor who displays an outstanding commitment to leveraging learning technologies to solve common teaching challenges related to creating rich learning experiences to increase student success.

For 2022, finalists for this award need to be willing to present at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.  The instructor selected as the Teaching with Technology Innovator will receive a $1000 honorarium.  The other finalists will receive $250 honorariums.  These awards are paid for by private donated funds.

Eligibility and Expectations

There is an open call for applicants for this recognition. Any individual who applies must have taught at least six credits for the past year to be eligible. If selected as a finalist for the Teaching with Technology Innovator, the individual will receive a $250 honorarium and must agree to present an interactive session at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference (May 18, 2022), where they will also be recognized.

The individual selected as the 2022 Teaching with Technology Innovator will receive a $1000 honorarium (instead of the $250 for finalists) and must also agree to the following conditions:

  • Have their name and picture highlighted in a Learning Technology Center blog post and in the ConnectIT newsletter;
  • Have their name and photograph displayed in the Learning Technology Center
  • Partner with the Learning Technology Center to highlight their work during the Fall 2022 and/or Spring 2023 semester.  

Please note: this honorarium counts toward the 20% base salary overload maximum. 

Submission of Application Materials

  • Application packages must include a: Personal reflection (1-2 pages) that includes the applicant’s teaching philosophy and the role technology plays in it, specifically discussing how they have demonstrated the innovative and effective use of learning technologies to create rich learning experiences for students that work to increase retention and success. 
  • Portfolio of 3-5 items that serve as evidence of their teaching philosophy and the role technology plays in it, as well as ways their use of technology contributes to student learning and success. Possible items include, but are not limited to: 
    • Letters of support from students, colleagues, or leadership.
    • Course evaluation data. 
    • Evidence of student impact (e.g., grades, learning, etc.) after trying a technology intervention. 
    • Examples of how the instructor contributes to their college, campus community, and beyond related to teaching and learning with technology.

Materials must be submitted through Qualtrics (http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3eflnjKb810emUt) by March 27, 2022 April 11, 2022. If materials are missing, an individual’s application may not be considered.

Selection Process

Application packages will be reviewed by a committee composed of Learning Technology Center (LTC) Staff and members of the LTC Advisory Group (which is composed of 1-2 instructors from each college) after the deadline.  Notifications of the selected finalists will be made by April 11, 2022.  Finalists will be expected to submit a description of an interactive, synchronous session to be presented at the Celebrating Teaching and Learning Conference in the University Center on the Whitewater Campus.

About the Sponsors 

This award is sponsored by Presidio and Cisco Systems in conjunction with UWW’s Division of Instructional, Communication, and Information Technology (ICIT) and ICIT’s Learning Technology Center (LTC). Presidio and Cisco are proud of their work with institutions of higher education to inspire learning and connect campuses to enhance student outcomes. ICIT and the LTC are dedicated to working with instructors to understand teaching challenges, explore solutions, implement strategies, and evaluate their effectiveness.

Questions? If you have questions, please reach out to the Learning Technology Center

March “Teaching and Learning” Madness @ LTC

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March will be another busy month at the LTC as we reach the mid-point of the academic You’re at the mid-semester! This March, the LTC will focus on assessment and student feedback which are critical components of any course.

Faster, Easier Grading

Grading can take a long time, but it does not always have to. Learn how to easily create and consistently use rubrics in Canvas to streamline evaluation of student work, especially compositions and mid-term papers.

Canvas Lab: Rubric and Quiz Building, March 2, 2022 at 9am (online)

Canvas Open lab: Check Your Gradebook Settings!

Meet with our team to verify the numerous settings within your Canvas Gradebook to make sure everything is set as intended. Drop in to our any of our Canvas Grading Labs:

Learning Analytics to Support Student Success

A screenshot showing the banner of Canvas New Analytics

Learn the basics or dig deeper with Canvas Learning Analytics. Canvas Learning Analytics offer instructors detailed insight into student performance and engagement, especially useful to connect with under-performing students before it is too late.

Rethinking Design with “Universal Design for Learning”

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guides the design of learning experiences to proactively meet the needs of all learners. When you design through UDL, you assume that barriers to learning are in the design of the environment, not in the student. 

Read more about this series and register in advance for a presentation session!

More Information

The LTC offers individual and small group consultations on a variety of topics and services, please email ltc@uww.edu to learn more and get started! Subscribe to our blog for frequent technology updates and information about our workshops, campus events, and other announcements.

If you require assistance or have questions on campus technology, please feel free to contact the Help Desk. Outside of Help Desk hours, we invite you to search our Knowledge Base for helpful articles on using and troubleshooting campus technology.

March 2022 @ LTC – General Campus Technology

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Whether you’re new to campus or need a refresher on general campus technology tools and resources, the LTC is here to support you!

Transition from Cisco Jabber to Webex

With the upcoming transition from Jabber to the Webex App (formerly Webex Teams), you may want to learn how to Get Started with Webex!

General Campus Technology

Join our Campus Technology Orientation (in-person or online) to learn about the wealth of resources available to you. Can’t make it? Check out our on-demand technology orientation to get you started strong at UW-Whitewater!

Microsoft Outlook

Learn time-saving strategies to manage email, add attachments, create calendar appointments and more! This session is useful for both Mac and Windows users.

More Information

The LTC offers individual and small group consultations on a variety of topics and services, please email ltc@uww.edu to learn more and get started! Subscribe to our blog for frequent technology updates and information about our workshops, campus events, and other announcements.

If you require assistance or have questions on campus technology, please feel free to contact the Help Desk. Outside of Help Desk hours, we invite you to search our Knowledge Base for helpful articles on using and troubleshooting campus technology.

Learning Analytics to Support Student Success

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A screenshot showing the banner of Canvas New Analytics

Canvas Learning Analytics offer instructors detailed insight into student performance and engagement, especially useful to connect with under-performing students before it is too late.

New to Canvas Analytics? No problem! Jump into the data with an introduction on March 1 (1pm) or March 9 (9am)

Do you already have a handle on learning analytics or are you looking for a deeper exploration? Come to the presentation, “Use Canvas Analytics for Better Teaching Learning” to explore the following questions:

  • Is there some material that can receive less in-class attention?
  • Is there some material that needs to be circled back to multiple times?
  • Is there anything I can do to identify at-risk students before it is too late?

Register in advance for this presentation offered on March 8, 2022 at 1pm and Mach 16, 2022 at 9am!

Consult our full calendar of events for more information about all of our workshops and presentations. The LTC offers individual and small-group consultations on a variety of topics and services – simply fill out our online consultation form to get started!

February @ LTC

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Spring 2022 Calendar
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It might be chilly outside, but the learning is alive and well at the Learning Technology Center! Join us for a workshop, discussion group, or a one-on-one consultation about how to more deeply integrate technology in your office or classes.

Click below to go directly to a topic:
Starting Soon • EDUCAUSE Top 10 • Canvas Training
Campus Technology • Webex • More Information

Starting Soon!

This month, we kickstart a series of workshops and presentations around the themes of flipped classrooms where students engage in active learning opportunities before coming to class to more deeply apply learning.

  • Flipped Learning Fundamentals – examine the fundamentals of flipped learning to design your course in a hybrid manner to support the flipped classroom, apply active learning techniques, and discuss methods to engage students.
  • Adaptive Learning Community of Practice – Join the LTC as we re-explore adaptive learning strategies through the use of Realizeit and launch and new Community of Practice!
  • Universal Design for Learning – Explore the principles of UDL that offer students multiple means of engagement with course materials, representations of their understanding, and meaningful action and expression based on their learning.

EDUCAUSE Top 10 IT Issues in Higher Education

On February 3, 2022 we “Set Sail” in a long-term study and discussion of the EDUCAUSE Top 10 Issues in Higher Education. Every two weeks, we will gather to discuss various challenges our campus faces and whether advances in information technology can offer any pathways forward. Some speakers in this series include CIO Elena Pokot (ICIT) and Dean Frank Goza (College of Letters and Science)!

Check out our previous blog post to learn more and register in advance!

Canvas Training

Improving the student experience is the focus of quite a few workshops this month:

We offer several opportunities to have your gradebook set up, get a check-up on any quizzes you are offering, and to discover options within Canvas to grade more efficiently and with meaningful feedback for all students.

Campus Technology

Whether you’re new to campus or just want to develop stronger skills and abilities with campus technology, we’re here to help. Numerous opportunities are available each month that present new features and suggestions for best use:

Webex

With the upcoming transition from Jabber to the Webex App (formerly Webex Teams), you may want to learn how to Get Started with Webex!

Join us as well for a workshop on how to lead more impactful and meaningful events and meetings through Webex.

UW-Whitewater’s cutting-edge use of Webex was recently recognized by Cisco! Be sure to check out the article featuring our very own Kirsten Mortimer!

More Information

Consult our full calendar of events for more information or to register in advance!

New to campus or looking for a refresher? Sign up for “Campus Technology: Resources to Help You Succeed” or check out our on-demand technology orientation to get you started at UW-Whitewater!

The LTC offers individual and small group consultations on a variety of topics and services, please email ltc@uww.edu to learn more and get started! Subscribe to our blog for frequent technology updates and information about our workshops, campus events, and other announcements.

If you require assistance or have questions on campus technology, please feel free to contact the Help Desk. Outside of Help Desk hours, we invite you to search our Knowledge Base for helpful articles on using and troubleshooting campus technology.

Canvas Update (01/15/2022)

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On Saturday January 15, 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 Quizzes – Content Import Terminology Adjustment:  The Import Assessment Content as New Quizzes checkbox has been replaced as the Import Existing Quizzes as New Quizzes checkbox.
  • Gradebook – Missing Status Removal: When a grade is entered manually for a missing submission, the missing status is removed.
  • Courses – Course Navigation Menu State: The Expand/Collapse state of the Course Navigation Menu now persist throughout all Canvas Courses.
  • Modules – Modules Link State: When an External URL or LTI tool is added to a module, the state of the Load in New Tab checkbox is retained for all additional link entries. 
  • SpeedGrader – Unposted Comment Warning: Graders are notified about unposted comments when attempting to navigate away.

If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, or even just curious about how they can help you, please contact UW-W Canvas Support.

Spring 2022 @ LTC

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The Learning Technology Center is offering a full roster of learning opportunities ranging from training on the nuts and bolts of Webex and Canvas to rethinking traditional student learning and engagement. Consult our full calendar to see all sessions and to register in advance. LTC workshops are open to faculty, staff, and student employees.

Can’t join at the scheduled time or missed a session? No problem, schedule an individual meeting with the LTC. Links to previously recorded materials are often available too. 

Don’t see a session on something you would like to learn more about? Let us know! We look forward to meeting your needs as best we can – email ltc@uww.edu with your request. And, don’t forget, LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of industry-vetted on-demand courses!

Click any session title below to see dates and links for registration.

General Campus Technology

Instructional Workshops

Close-up view on white conceptual keyboard - Register Now (blue key)

Webex

Canvas

Getting Started Each Semester: 

Assessment and Feedback

Course Navigation and Design

Learning Analytics

Flipped Learning Fundamentals

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Pexel’s Photography – Alena Darmel

In a “flipped classroom”, teachers “flip” the traditional approach of presenting and explaining new information in the classroom and assigning some sort of practice at home to the opposite.  The instructor asks students to read or view material on the new concepts at home and then uses class time to actively engage with the material through solving problems, group work, or other active learning models.  

This workshop series will examine the fundamentals of flipped learning to design your course in a hybrid manner to support the flipped classroom, apply active learning techniques, and discuss methods to engage students. Additionally, we’ll examine technologies that can support your flipped classroom.

Flipped Learning Fundamentals

  • Small Changes You Can Make Now to Flip a Class
    January 27, 3:00 pm
    • Introduction to the “Flipped Learning Fundamental Series,” and part of the Flipped Learning Pathway. Why it is important, what steps you can do to flip your classroom, the advantages and disadvantages, and hands on tips to better utilize your students time in class. 
    • Sign up: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17105

  • Flipped Learning Fundamentals: Hybrid Course Design
    February 3, 3:00 pm
    • This workshop explores one of the first fundamental of flipped learning…hybrid course design.  Come join us as we look at the transformation process of “the sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side” and engage in flipped learning techniques.  
    • Sign up: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17106

  • Flipped Learning Fundamentals: Active Learning
    February 17, 3:00 pm
    • This workshop explores the second fundamental of flipped learning…active learning. Come join us as we look at how to use class time to support active learning in a flipped model. Join us for techniques and activities to support assessment and authentic learning.
    • Sign up: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17107 

  • Flipped Learning Fundamentals: Student Engagement
    February 24, 3:00 pm
    • This workshop explores the third fundamental of flipped learning…student engagement. Come join us as we look at strategies to engage your students during your classroom time to support a flipped learning model.
    • Sign up: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17108

Additional Workshops Supporting Flipped Learning

  • Interactive Polling Overview (Slido, PollEverywhere, and Turning)
    Two sessions: January 25 1:00 pm and February 23 9:00 am
  • Google Apps for Education: Essentials  
    Two sessions: February 2, 9:00am and March 1, 1:00pm
    • Learn about how to effectively use Google Drive and Apps for collaboration and file-sharing. This workshop offers an overview of Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Presentations, Forms, Drawing, and Sites. Learn the basics of each program to get you up and running quickly with Google applications as well as some helpful tips and tricks.
    • Sign up: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17046

Universal Design for Learning

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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guides the design of learning experiences to proactively meet the needs of all learners. When you design through UDL, you assume that barriers to learning are in the design of the environment, not in the student. 

This workshop series explores the principles of UDL: provide multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression. Additionally, we will answer the following questions:

  • How can I engage all students in my class?
  • How can I present information in ways that reach all learners?
  • How can I offer purposeful options for students to show what they know?

Workshop Details

  • How Universal Design Helps Everyone
    March 4, 1:00 pm
    • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. The human-centered approach to design that Universal Design supports is user-friendly and convenient, but is also respectful of user dignity, rights and privacy. Learn about how incorporating UDL into your classroom helps everyone!
    • Sign up: https://my.uww.edu/SignUp/Registration/Details?id=17117
  • Next Level Design: Action and Expression
    April 8, 1:00 pm