Blackboard v9 Up ‘n Running with the Basics in Three Hours

Thursday, May 9, 9am–12pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register
OR Wednesday, May 15,  9am-12pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register

Blackboard v9 eGADs: Groups for Assignments and Discussions

Thursday, May 9, 1-3pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register
OR Wednesday, May 15, 1-3pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register
OR Thursday, May 16, 10am-12pm, Lab A2130 David Lam  Register

Blackboard v9: Grades, Grades, Grades!

Friday, May 10, 9am-12pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register
OR Thursday, May 16, 9am-12pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register

Blackboard Collaborate (aka Elluminate) Overview

Friday, May 17, 10:30am-12:30pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register
OR   Thursday, May 23, 10:30am-12:30pm, Lab A2130 David Lam  Register

Blackboard v9: Tests and Surveys

Wednesday, May 22, 10am-12pm, Lab 6107 New West  Register

Personalize your Online Teaching and Learning Plan

By appointment (30-40 minutes, at   either the New Westminster or Coquitlam Campus.   Click here for a description.

Registration - Email learn@douglascollege.ca to tell us how you want to   Personalize your Online Teaching and Learning Plan, and give us your   preferred dates/times/campus for an appointment. Academic Technology Services   will assign the online specialist who best matches your needs.

Blackboard Version 9 “Starter Kit”

Online and self-paced.  This course is a pre-requisite for working in Blackboard v9.  Register 

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We hope you will be able to take some inspiration and ideas from their feedback on this effective and easy to use classroom technology.

CHARLOTTE ROSS:

I use the Elmo Wireless Tablet whiteboard feature for creating on-line audio tutorials with accompanying graphics on the ELMO whiteboard (much like the Khan Academy ones).  I have posted them on my course shell for students to view.  The advantage here is that they can view them at their own pace and repeatedly if they choose.  Another advantage is that this allows me to use class time for discussion, clarification and development of concepts and material rather than on introduction of content and primary content delivery.  This follows the ‘flipped classroom’ model.’

I am trialing this instructional strategy this term and the students are really, really positive about them and asking me to use this form of teaching for more tutorials.  I’m so thrilled!!!

PATRICK MOONEY:

Elmo Visual Presenter is used all the time.  I even taught my students how to use it a few weeks back.  As a reminder our students all have learning disabilities, generally IQ of 70 or below and have barriers to employment.  Teaching them how to use the Elmo fit into a task analysis that I was demonstrating.  Most did well at the basic features and I learned a few things by teaching them, as well as some of the more complicated features, e.g. using memory card and the freeze frame button, etc.

The Elmo is an excellent teaching tool, so many applications where it has helped us I don’t really know where to begin.

ULRIKE EBELING, FACULTY OF MODERN LANGUAGES:

I use the wireless tablet. I only use its basic features, i.e. to annotate my PPT slides. I love using it, though, because it enables me to move around in the classroom and interact with students while I annotate. The one criticism I have is the software that comes with the tablet (at least the MAC version) which is very basic and could use improvement. I do not use the Elmo Visual Projector.

MORNA FRASER: FACULTY OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS

I use the Elmo Wireless Tablet with Elluminate to demonstrate calculations to students at home.

ROD COMRIE, FACULTY OF COMMERCE AND BUSINESS:

I use Elmo and have found it to be superior to the overhead projector.  The ability to show colour and increase the size of the display have been valuable and the position of the Elmo Projector does not affect the layout of the room.  The tablet has added to the classroom experience.

DEBBIE MCCLOY, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY:

The ELMO is fantastic for projecting demos of hands on activities or for showing a one of a kind item such as photos or extracted teeth.

The ELMO/tablet allows us to brainstorm and visually link it to pre-prepared documents in a seamless manner. The ELMO Tablet combo are powerful presentation tools but have managed to be fun and easy to learn.

DONNA LOWNDES, FACULTY OF DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION:

With regards to the Elmo Visual Presenter, I primarily use it when reviewing multiple choice, short response questionnaires, demonstrating uses of Likert scales or highlighting text during discussions. For our group of students the visual representations is great for learning and strengthens their focus in class.

With the Elmo Wireless Tablet, we are just beginning but its capability of writing is fantastic. I no longer need to be at the front of the room. I’ve recently used it recording student’s group responses on larger topics such as Human Rights/Employment Rights and Responsibilities, Communication Barriers and Problem Solving Methods. I can’t wait to try other features.

KAREN THOMSON, ENGLISH:

To start, I use the Elmo to present material to my classes much as I used to use the overhead.  I love the wireless tablet, especially, for reviewing/revising sample student work.  It allows the class as a group to make edit suggestions and alter the text without actually writing on the paper.  I realize there’s more potential for using Elmo and I look forward to building my skills.

CLAUDIA JAMIESON, FACULTY OF BUINESS AND COMMERCE:

I use it in the medical lab.  It is fabulous to be able to demonstrate when what I am showing them is very tiny. I sometimes use it simply as a visual presenter.  Also, I demonstrate procedures with the student as ‘my patient’ and of course those in the back can never see very well.  I just turn the camera to the classroom and use the students in the front row and everyone can see!

Honestly, I love it and wonder how did we ever manage with the old overheads !?!

ANONYMOUS:

I am able to perform an informal assessment by walking around my classroom while presenting something on my Elmo Visual Projector – this way I can see if my students understand my lesson, if I need to slow down or say something in a different manner. That way I don’t have to teach a whole lesson sitting at the Elmo and then have to re-do the whole thing when I realize my students don’t understand what is going on.

WATCH SOME GREAT TRAINING VIDEOS ON THE ELMO PRESENTER AND TABLET

Vist the CEIT Elmo Webpage for more information on the Elmo and the Tablet and for training videos:

• Visual Presenter Instructions (Videos)
• Visual Presenter Instructions – Tablet (Videos)

HANDS-ON TRAINING:

Employee Development: Visual Presenter and Wireless Tablet Training:

Monday, May   6, 12:30-2:30pm, Room 1231 New West  Register

OR Wednesday,   May 8, 10:30am-12:30pm, Room C1004 David Lam  Register for Wait List (FULL)

OR Tuesday,   May 14, 12:30-2:30pm, Room 1231 New West  Register

OR Wednesday,   May 15, 12:30-2:30pm, Room C1004 David Lam  Register

The Quick Ref Sheet – is exactly that, a one page card on user ID’s, passwords and pins.

Quick Reference Sheet: New Westminster Campus

Quick Reference Sheet: David Lam Campus

Student ID Cards

For more detailed information:

Douglas College Student Guide to Technology, 2013

When the College introduced a new email program a year ago – Microsoft Outlook, CEIT tried to make the initial transition as smooth as possible by providing a wealth of training and information through workshops and online resources. As people became familiar with Outlook there was less need for workshops but the online resources remained for reference and as an introduction for new employees. CEIT trainer, Olga Routkovskaia, wanted to provide an online, easy to use, living and growing resource to continue to support the college community with what is an extremely powerful program full of amazing features. She decided to start a Yammer group.

Yammer has been steadily growing with more people joining the community every day. It is open to any employee with a Douglas College log-in and it can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

During the workshops, the participants brought up some really interesting issues that Olga, and the other trainers wanted to share with the rest of the college. This material seemed ideal for the Yammer group. So, Olga started posting.  She recruited members to the group through the workshops, and also sent messages to people who had previously contacted her with questions about Outlook. The group’s purpose – to become a widely used resource; and a place to find useful, time-saving tips is starting to be fulfilled as more people join and contribute.

Yammer is fantastic place for collaboration – and whilst Olga is still doing the majority of the posting in the Outlook group, people are commenting on her posts, and giving her feedback that they appreciate the group and have found it helpful. She has also seen some exciting examples of how it will grow as Yammer itself grows and strengthens in the College. For example: Shelley Waldie, from the library posted a question about searching in Outlook, and Martin Liem and Noor Vasaya posted a solution for her – all while Olga was away from her computer involved in other training commitments. Olga hopes more of this will happen with users helping each other – when someone posts a question that other users know they will reply and share the knowledge with each other. Although it is a great resource to just read through all the information, some interactive collaboration between outlook users will be even better.

I had an Outlook question for Olga and so rather than asking her, I joined the Yammer Outlook group. I felt sure that there must be a quick way to turn an email about an event or meeting into an appointment in the calendar but I couldn’t figure out how to do it. I scrolled a little way down the posts in the group, and low and behold there was the solution! As the group and the posted materials grow it can become an excellent resource for someone wanting to troubleshoot a problem or just look for a time saving tip.

Olga says

The Outlook Yammer group will help the college to have continued support for Outlook even when CEIT can no longer offer such detailed support as was available in the transition phase. I hope that more people will engage in this group and share their tips and tricks so that everyone can make the most of their Outlook.

How you can join

You can read the messages without joining the group, but we do really encourage people to get involved and engaged with the community of users and help out others when you can.

If you would like to join the Yammer Outlook group, take a look:

https://www.yammer.com/douglascollege.ca/#/threads/inGroup?type=in_group&feedId=640656

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The final stage of the Microsoft Transition is coming to a close.

Our strategy involves copying your H: Drive personal and shared department files over to a new storage area network using a two stage process. During stage 1, CEIT copied H: drive files over to the new network. In stage 2, Easter weekend, CEIT will be copying over any new or changed files created after the first stage. A file access blackout period is necessary to facilitate this second stage.

File access blackout period: Saturday March 30^th, 8:00 am to Monday, April 1^st, 8:00am.

During this period, you will not have access to your H: drive for personal or department files.

Preparing for file accessibility during this blackout period

1. Before the blackout begins, open the networked files you need to work on and save a version to a local drive.
2. If you are creating new files during this blackout period, you will also need to temporarily save them to a local drive.

What you will notice on April 2nd: On April 2^nd your shared department folder will be divorced from your personal network folder. Your shared department folder will remain on the H: drive but your personal folder will move to the U: drive. For example:  H:\Shared and U:\reevesk

1. After 8 am on  Tuesday April 2^nd  you should reconcile any locally saved files with your new department H: drive or your new personal U: drive.

For more information, please contact the Help Desk at 5330 or helpdesk@douglascollege.ca

Blackboard 9 – Transition, Training and Teaching

On May 1st Blackboard v8 will be unavailable for teaching: Start your engines
- That’s in 40 days.

Make your appointment with Academic Technology Services today: learn@douglascollege.ca

We will meet with you to consult and discuss the best strategy to get your course content into Blackboard v9.

Two changes of note for the Douglas College community

• We have completed the process for the Manager, Academic Technology Services and Tim Paul was the successful candidate. Congratulations Tim. As of April 1, 2013, the existing CLS (Learning Services) team will be renamed Academic Technology Services and will report to Tim.

• Effective last Tuesday, March 19th Rob Linschoten, Manager of Client and Learning Services has retired from the college. After about 25 years of dedicated service, Rob has chosen to move on to other activities. The college thanks Rob for his contributions, and we wish him well in retirement. There are currently no plans in place for a farewell event for Rob, but when/if we have any information to share, we will communicate it to the Douglas community.

Ian McLeod, CCP, I.S.P., ITCP/IP3P
CIO

http://ms-capture.douglas.bc.ca/DouglasMediasite/Viewer/?peid=5959c768a2fa46bfa2b890ea31764a1c

Find out which materials you should review and which ones you can skip in order to use your time efficiently.

Interested in trying out Collaborate?  Contact Olga Routkovskaia by e-mail (olgar@douglascollege.ca ) to request a Collaborate account and to be added to the list of Collaborate test phase participants.

If so, join our new Yammer group Live Virtual Classroom!

Dedicated to synchronous teaching and meeting online using tools like Collaborate and Elluminate, this group is a great place to post your comments, questions and helpful resources or read through other people’s posts.

Watch a video welcome message from CEIT’s Collaborate and Elluminate trainer Olga Routkovskaia, who shares her vision for the Live Virtual Classroom Yammer group and why it would be helpful to join:

http://ms-capture.douglas.bc.ca/DouglasMediasite/Viewer/?peid=cf6b39ae0032451498018d7f35856632

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http://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Learn/Resources/Webinars/Events.aspx?categoryType=BITS

Let us know how you get on…