Category Archives: For Instructors

“Open in New Window” Button in Content Item Does Nothing

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With the deployment of the latest Service Pack for Desire2Learn (D2L), a new bug was introduced that causes the “Open in New Window” button within Content items to do nothing for all student roles.  This has been confirmed as a bug from Desire2Learn Inc. However, we do not have a timeline for receiving a fix at this time.  The image below illustrates the issue as well as the workaround.

Students
When using this workaround, you may receive a Mixed Content warning from the browser.  For additional details, see Firefox 23 – Mixed Content Handling.

Instructors
The issue only appears inside of Content items.  The work around is to have students click on the Quicklink Content item directly from the Content tool (either through the Table of Contents or that specific module).  If you are using a Quicklink in a News item to link to content, the current work around would be to link directly to the URL or file from the News item until the issue is resolved.

If you have any further questions regarding this, please contact UW-W D2L Support.

Desire2Learn Service Update (2/27)

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Desire2Learn logoOn Thursday, February 27th, Desire2Learn Inc. deployed Service Pack 14 to our D2L learning environment.

In addition to the fixed issues listed below, this update includes a hotfix for several performance fixes including quiz query performance and delayed or problematic launching of external learning tools.

Content:

  • External links now open correctly in a new tab or window when they are accessed from the Content Browser widget.
  • When inserting a URL Quicklink into a Content item, insecure content links (http) now automatically convert to secure links (https) or are set to open as external links in a new window to help mitigate blocked content errors caused by browser security changes.
  • Adobe Presenter package in Content Viewer now maintains the viewing window size and no longer increases unnecessarily.
  • When using a larger font size, user-generated content now renders correctly without text overlap.
  • Frames now size correctly within Learning Environment webpages.

HTML Editor: When using Internet Explorer 9, the browser no longer crashes when users use the HTML Editor.

Dropbox: An error message no longer displays to users when they view Dropbox due date notifications in the Minibar.

ePortfolio: Changing item sharing visibility now works correctly at the org level.

Course Package Converter:

  • Content files no longer contain broken links when using the course conversion service for Blackboard 9.1 packages.
  • Descriptions for Content objects (i.e., modules and topics) now convert correctly for Blackboard 9.1 course packages.
  • Support was added for converting Significant Figures question types in WebCT packages.

If you have any questions or concerns about the service pack updates, please contact UW-W D2L Support.

2014 UW System Survey of Online Teaching, Learning and Services

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Question Mark IconDear Faculty and Instructional Academic Staff Members,

The UW System Learn@UW Executive Committee is currently conducting a survey about teaching and learning technologies. The survey is one of the most effective channels to provide feedback on your needs regarding our Learning Management System (D2L), related instructional technologies, and the services that support your use of the technologies.

This survey is open through March 7, 2014 and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your responses are anonymous.

Many of you completed a similar survey in 2005, 2007 and 2010.  The results from the previous surveys have been extremely helpful to the Learn@UW Executive Committee and UW System in the budget and support planning for the Learning Management Service and future instructional technology needs. Survey results also help to identify potential issues with current technologies and assess the quality of support provided. Results are also shared with individual campuses.

To access the survey, please use the following link: http://tinyurl.com/mjvpkwn

Thank you in advance for your feedback.  Your time and effort in completing this survey is much appreciated.

UW System Learn@UW Exec Committee

“The Flipped Classroom” Recording Now Available

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On February 11, 2014, Chris Henige, Beth King, and Katrina Liu shared their experiences with flipped classes.  Typically, “flipping” is considered to be the practice of using video segments to disseminate content-rich lessons outside of the classroom, thereby allowing classroom time to be used for interaction and hands-on activities.  However, the flipped classroom model can take many forms and may also involve a wide variety of technologies and methodologies.  The panel shared the advantages of a flipped class over traditional lectures, the roadblocks they encountered, and advice for others who are considering flipping their own courses.

If you have any questions regarding “The Flipped Classroom” session, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Snackable Series: Gamification

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Snackable Bag Spring 2014Gamification, February 19 – 20, 2014

The innovative use of technology in higher education continues to provide new possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning.  Feel free to bring a lunch and join us!

Gamification is the application of game elements and game-like thinking to course materials to encourage active learning and deepen student engagement.  Gamification can improve student motivation, inspire increased interactivity in your classroom, and allow you to reward successful completion of learning outcomes in new ways.  Models of gamification, along with simple yet creative ways to add gamification techniques to your D2L course, will be discussed.

Gamification Sessions:
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

To register for one or all of these “Snackable Series” sessions, please sign up at: http://signup.uww.edu Seating is limited.

If you have any questions regarding the Snackable Series and its sessions, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

Save the Date: Flipped Classrooms

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ClassroomJoin your colleagues Chris Henige, Beth King, and Katrina Liu as they share their experiences with flipped classes.  This session is scheduled for February 11, 2014, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, in the University Center, room 259.

Typically, “flipping” is considered to be the practice of using video segments to disseminate content-rich lessons outside of the classroom, thereby allowing classroom time to be used for interaction and hands-on activities.  However, the flipped classroom model can take many forms and may also involve a wide variety of technologies and methodologies.  Join your UW-Whitewater colleagues as we consider what it means (and does not mean) to “flip” a classroom and discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls of this practice.

Reserve your seat today at https://my.uww.edu/signup/ under LEARN Center.

This event is sponsored by the Learning Technology Center (LTC) and the LEARN Center.

Turnitin Net-ID Authentication Available!

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tii-logoInstructors and students can now login to Turnitin services using their UW-W Net-ID.  If you have an existing account with the service, the first time you login in you will need to enter your turnitin.com password to link your accounts together.  If you have forgotten your password, you can use the forgot password option to reset it.  Previously, instructor accounts were created as needed by the Learning Technology Center.

Google Chrome Users: There is currently an issue preventing you from accepting the terms of service box (this only happens during your first login).  Until the issue is fixed, you will need to login initially from an alternate browser.

To access Turnitin, initiate the login by going to http://go.uww.edu/turnitin.

Wait, I thought Turnitin was integrated into D2L?
Turnitin has three core services: OriginalityCheck, GradeMark and PeerMark.  Currently, only the OriginalityCheck and GradeMark are integrated into the Desire2Learn Dropbox.  Additional information is available here: Configuring Originality Check in the D2L Dropbox.

When do I need to login directly to turnitin.com?
There are two main reasons why you would need to login to turnitin.com

  1. If you are looking to utilize PeerMark in your course, then you will need to login directly to the Turnitin website.
  2. If you have a single paper from a student that you would like to submit to the originality check, this currently cannot be done via Desire2Learn.  This can be accomplished from the Turnitin website.

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

Snackable Series: Spring 2014

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Snackable Bag Spring 2014The innovative use of technology in higher education continues to provide new possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning.  The Learning Technology Center (LTC) Spring 2014 “Snackable Series” showcases three current approaches to leveraging technology to promote active learning and improve student learning outcomes.  Feel free to bring a lunch and join us!

Gamification, February 19 – 20, 2014

Gamification is the application of game elements and game-like thinking to course materials to encourage active learning and deepen student engagement.  Gamification can improve student motivation, inspire increased interactivity in your classroom, and allow you to reward successful completion of learning outcomes in new ways.  Models of gamification, along with simple yet creative ways to add gamification techniques to your D2L course, will be discussed.

Gamification Sessions:
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, February 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

Digital Badging, March 19 – 20, 2014

A digital badge is an earned credential, which validates a person’s specific accomplishment, knowledge, or skill.  “Badging” can be used to supplement letter grades, combat grade inflation, instill motivation to advance their level of competency, and showcase learning outside of the formal classroom.  Badges are currently awarded by Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon, the Smithsonian, Intel, Disney-Pixar, and some MOOCs as well.  In this snackable, the basic principles of badging, models of badging, and ways you can use badging in your course will be considered.

Digital Badging Sessions:
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, March 20, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

Challenge-Based Learning, April 16 – 17, 2014

Challenge-based learning is a model for achieving learning outcomes, similar to project- or problem-based learning.  The students work together to solve “challenges,” while the instructor serves as a guide and mentor through the process.  Normally leveraged through digital whiteboards, asynchronous discussions, and presentations, challenge-based learning is collaborative, “hands on,” and oftentimes multidisciplinary.  Examples of challenge based learning and approaches for adding these elements to your course, will be examined.

Challenge-Based Learning Sessions:
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 from Noon to 1 p.m
Thursday, April 17, 2014 from 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: iCIT Training Center, McGraw 112

To register for one or all of these “Snackable Series” sessions, please sign up at: http://signup.uww.edu Seating is limited.

If you have any questions regarding the Snackable Series and its sessions, please contact the UW-W Learning Technology Center.

D2L Inline Document Viewer Issue with Flash Modules

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With the overhaul of the Content area of Desire2Learn (D2L), we discovered that the new inline document viewer has an issue that impacts some Flash modules/activities that may be embedded in your content.  We know that Flash versions of iSpring and legacy eTEACH presentations trigger an issue with the inline document viewer.  It appears to only impact Flash modules that are designed to scale to fit the size of the window they are in.

The easiest workaround to view these presentations is to use the “View content in new window” link.  This however will not stop the module from running in the parent window which may be confusing to students.

Unfortunately, there is currently not a clean workaround to update the links in D2L.  Follow the steps below to correct the issue:

  1. In the content area, click “New” and choose “Create a File”
  2. In the course file, use the html editor to “Insert a Quicklink”
  3. From the “Insert a Quicklink” screen, select “Course File”, click “Add File” and choose the file from the “Course Offering Files”.
  4. Enter text into the “Link Caption” field.
  5. Under “Open In” be sure to choose “New Window”
  6. Click “Insert” and then “Publish” to save and post the new course file
  7. Remove or change the status to “Draft” for the old link.

If you have any questions concerning this, please contact UW-W D2L Support.