ITL Blog

Blackboard Accessibility

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 18:39:25 GMT

Blackboard 9 offers significant enhancements in Web Accessibility

There is a very active Blackboard Accessibility group of universities that has been working very closely with Blackboard to make the technology most accessible. Schools include: UIC, UIUC, Georgia Tech, NC State, Purdue, Dartmouth, University of Central Florida, UMass Amherst, Syracuse, University of Colorado, George Mason University, University of San Diego, COD, Harper College, University of Arkansas and University of Washington.

There is also a new Blackboard 9 Screen Reader Tutorial (for students and instructors) at http://bit.ly/Bb9jaws, and the ITL runs a Blackboard course site on Universal Design for Online Learning, which you/everyone at UIC can self-enroll and take.

ITL Blackboard course site on Universal Design for Online Learning

The ITL runs an open-enrollment Blackboard course site on Universal Design and Accessibility of online Learning. Originally developed by Blackboard Inc. the course reviews a number of subjects, including Universal Design and Online Learning, Accessibility for Online Learning, Assistive Technology, Learning Styles, and a number of Web Accessibility and Online Learning resources.

Check it out by loging into Blackboard at http://blackboard.uic.edu. Once on the MyBlackboard landing page, click the "Courses" tab, on the Course Catalog listing on the right click on "ACCC Instructional Technology Lab", click on the Chevron (double down arrows) for the course site entitled "Universal Design and Accessibility for Online Courses" and click "Enroll" to self-enroll.

Recommended Blackboard Browsers

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:00:41 GMT

Recommended Blackboard Browsers

Windows users

Use IE 7 or IE 8
Use Firefox 3.5 or later
(Google Chrome works ok to)

Mac users

Use Safari 4 or later
Use Firefox 3.5 or later

General Information

Other Web browsers may work as well, but do *not* use IE 9 nor IE 6 or earlier, and Mac users should not use Safari 2 or earlier.
Also, browsers should have their default settings for java, JavaScript and cookies set to on, i.e. enabled.

Multimedia Student Assignments

Fri, 07 May 2010 13:31:19 GMT

Multimedia Student Assignments

The Instructional Technology Lab is looking for faculty members interested in assigning multimedia-based student homework in the Fall. Please contact Ed Garay directly at garay@uic.edu, preferably soon, to start planning how to best incorporate media-rich assignments in your instructional design.

The Student Media Lab (SML) offer students the same in-depth general computing, Web, Web 2.0, multimedia and mobile computing support offered to faculty and staff by the Instructional Technology Lab (ITL). In addition, students can and have been borrowing SML laptops loaded with lots of software, video cameras, and other equipment for up to a week.

We are looking to better leverage the resources of the Student Media Lab for pedagogical purposes by working directly with faculty on class-specific media-rich student assignments and assessment. Those high-end multimedia laptops, Flip cameras, HD video cameras, projectors and all, will be best used by students working on faculty-directed class assignments.

ITL News - May 2010

Fri, 07 May 2010 13:25:15 GMT

UIC Teaching & Learning Technology News

(a) Attending the Faculty Summer Institute in Urbana

A number of free registrations are still available for UIC faculty and teaching staff to attend the upcoming Faculty Summer Institute (FSI) in Urbana, set for Monday, May 17 through Thursday, May 20.

The FSI is designed for instructors with little, intermediate and advanced experience in using computer and Internet technology for teaching. Every year, the FSI gets very high praise from instructors from all the State of Illinois universities and community colleges that attend it.

These registrations are available at no charge; interested parties will need to cover their traveling and lodging expenses on their own or by their departments. (All funded FSI registrations with all expenses paid, etc. have already been used up) Interested parties should contact Ed Garay directly at garay@uic.edu.

(b) Faculty Teaching & Learning Technology Prep Week - Week of August 9, 2010

Mark your calendars for the Week of August 9 for the Faculty Teaching & Learning Technology Prep Week, offered by the ACCC Instructional Technology Lab.

Come get your Web 2.0 teaching tools ready for Fall, put the final touches on your multimedia-rich class materials, get your Blackboard course sites set up, see how Google Docs, Google Sites and other Google Apps for Education can engage your students and help you meet learning outcomes, hear about best practices for using clickers in the classroom, explore ACCC's new virtual classroom system and new personal learning environment, and so forth.

In addition, UIC faculty and ITL staff will conduct a number of Teaching with Technology sessions on the east and west campus. You will also be able to attend the presentations over the Internet, via interactive Webcasts, as usual.

(c) ITL Walk-in Hours :: drop in, without an appointment

ITL consultations are available, all year around, every Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm (except for holidays) by appointment, or without appointments during ITL Walk-in Hours.

ITL Walk-in Hours:

ITL-East - East campus :: Monday through Thursday, 1-5pm
Richard J. Daley Library, first floor, south wing, Room LIB 1-310
ITL-West - West campus :: Monday and Thursday, 1-5pm
Benjamin Goldberg Research Center, 1940 West Taylor, first floor, Room BGRC 181

(d) iPad Demo Days at ITL

A handful of iPads (loaded with UIC Wireless and a large number of iPad apps) are available for people to try them out at the ITL/SML labs on the east and west campus.

Drop in to try out an iPad (without an appointment) during ITL/SML Walk-in Hours, or make an appointment at www.accc.uic.edu/itl.

The Apple iPad is an outstanding device for reading and consuming content :: Web browsing, reading email, PDFs and other office documents, electronic books and Apple-supported multimedia.

The lightweight 9.7" color touch-screen tablet has a full-feature Web browser, built-in Wi-Fi, (3G soon) and can run a growing library of native iPad apps that gives the iPad all kinds of additional functionality and makes it even more useful and fun. Native iPad apps, like NPR, USA Today, BBC News, Bloomberg, Zinio, Epicurious, Evernote, Pages, Keynote, Bento and Blackboard Mobile Learn provide a much easier and less cluttered mobile experience customized to fit the iPad's screen size and multiple-touch interface.

(e) Request Blackboard Course Sites for Fall 2010 today (now)

Please request your Blackboard course sites for Fall ASAP by filling out our Web form at www.accc.uic.edu/itl/blackboard/request_site.shtml

As usual, include your Course Reference Numbers (CRNs) and tell us if you want a brand new (empty) Blackboard site or a "re-use" site, that is, a Blackboard site with class materials copied from a previous Blackboard site. Continuous/ongoing Blackboard sites, not based on CRNs, used for year-long programs and Blackboard work sites used for committees and enhanced group collaboration don't need to be renewed.

Note that all Blackboard sites (new and old) will be available on the new Blackboard Learn 9 system, after the Blackboard upgrade, scheduled for Friday, May 14.

If you have any questions, please contact the ITL at 312-996-9824 or itl@uic.edu.

(f) New Blackboard 9 Upgrade set for Friday, May 14

Blackboard will be upgraded to the new Blackboard Learn 9 release on Friday, May 14, starting at 5pm. All existing Blackboard 8 sites will be available, unchanged, after the upgrade. We anticipate to have the new system up within 24 hours.

Blackboard 9 is very different.

Please take advantage of the following resources offered by the ACCC Instructional Technology Lab (ITL) to help you make a smooth transition:

Try out Blackboard 9 look-and-feel *before* August
If you have not played with Blackboard 9 already, either play with the new system after the May 14 upgrade, or request a Blackboard 9 demo site today at www.accc.uic.edu/itl/blackboard/request_siteBB9.shtml
Attend a 50-minute Blackboard 9 Faculty Introduction
The ITL offers Blackboard 9 Intro sessions every day either on the East and/or West campus, and via interactive Webcasts that you can attend from anywhere.

For the Blackboard 9 Faculty Intro schedule, visit: www.accc.uic.edu/itl/bb9intros.html
Visit the Blackboard 9 Support Website
The Website includes a number of self-service video tutorials, a support blog and wiki, links to the Blackboard 9 Instructor's Manual and various Quick Start Guides.

Visit: www.accc.uic.edu/itl/bb9.html
Drop in anytime during ITL-East of ITL-West Walk-in Hours

Also, the ITL is offering on-site Blackboard 9 Faculty Intro group sessions at your department, in your building. All that a teaching department or college has to do is request an on-site faculty intro session via email to itl@uic.edu.

Blackboard Learn 9 is a totally redesigned/rewritten Blackboard teaching and learning environment with an intuitive Web 2.0 interface, drag-and-drop simplicity, context-sensitive menus, notification dashboards, new collaborative learning tools, blogs, journals, enhanced homework assignment collection, personalized customization, opt-in email notifications, Facebook and iPhone alerts, and significant accessibility improvements.

(g) Extensive self-service computer tutorials available to everyone at UIC

The Lynda.com library of self-paced online tutorials continues to grow, over 1,000 video tutorials are available, ...and all UIC students, faculty and staff have access to them, 24x7. New titles are released every month. To see what's new and launch any tutorial, visit http://go.uic.edu/lynda, click on the link labeled "Login to Lynda.com" on the top left, and login with your UIC netid and password.

*** Tell your students about this wonderful learning resource ***

iPad Demo Days at ITL

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:21:23 GMT

iPad Demo Days at ITL

A handful of iPads (loaded with UIC Wireless and several apps) are now available for people to try them out at the ITL/SML labs on the east and west campus.

Please drop in (without an appointment) during ITL/SML Walk-in Hours:

East campus: ITL-East/SML-East - Mondays through Thursdays, 1-5pm
first floor of the Richard J. Daley Library, south wing
West campus: ITL-West/SML-West - Mondays and Thursdays, 1-5pm
1940 West Taylor Street, first floor, Room BGRC 181

The Apple iPad is an outstanding device for reading and consuming content :: Web browsing, reading email, PDFs and other office documents, eBooks, and Apple-supported multimedia.

The lightweight 9.7" color touch-screen tablet has a full-feature Web browser, built-in Wi-Fi, (3G soon) and a growing library of native iPad apps that gives the iPad all kinds of additional functionality that makes it even more useful and fun. Native iPad apps, like NPR, USA Today, BBC News, Bloomberg, Zinio, Pages, Keynote, Bento and Blackboard Mobile Learn provide a much easier and less cluttered mobile experience customized to fit the device's screen size.

On the other hand, the iPad does not work well for note taking, and cannot play Flash content -- there is a lot of valuable educational content today that uses Flash, including Flash movies, screencasts, tutorials, SlideShare presentations, Flash learning objects, animations, Flash Websites and Prezi presentations.

While it is unlikely that students will replace their notebook computers with iPads, students will find increasing value to have iPads to surf the Web, read class materials, access their Blackboard sites, blogs, wikis, lecture captures, and so forth. Apple still needs to beef up its iBooks Store with college textbooks; when it does, we'll be pressed to find students not having enough justification to purchase an excellent reading device that can also do a myriad of things for school work and fun.

Selected iPad Resources:

Apple iPad Website
www.apple.com/ipad

Apple iPad Users Guide (154 pages) (PDF)
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPad_User_Guide.pdf

The Unofficial Apple Weblog - iPad
www.tuaw.com/category/ipad

Arstechnica.com iPad Review
http://arstechnica.com/apple/reviews/2010/04/ipad-review.ars

iPad Review by Engadget, April 2010
www.engadget.com/2010/04/03/apple-ipad-review

Minor Bumps for iPad, Inside Higher Ed
www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/04/23/ipad

Kindle Failed Tests at Several Colleges. Will iPads Do Better?
The Chronicle of Higher Education
http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Kindle-Failed-Tests-at-Several/23253/

13 Glaring iPad Shortcomings
http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100405/sc_livescience/13glaringipadshortcomings

iPad 101: User Guides and other helpful resources
The Unofficial Apple Weblog, April 2010
www.tuaw.com/2010/04/04/ipad-101-user-guide

iPad Peek - see how your Website looks on an iPad
http://ipadpeek.com

Gmail on the iPad
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/gmail-on-ipad.html

Blackboard 9 Faculty Intros

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:09:26 GMT

Blackboard Learn 9 Faculty Intro Sessions
over 100 sessions offered in April and May 2010

Blackboard Learn 9 Faculty Intro sessions have been scheduled for instructors and teaching staff in preparation to the May 14 system upgrade, or for anyone wishing to get a Blackboard refresher tutorial.

To attend any of the Blackboard 9 Intros please send an email to itl@uic.edu indicating which session you would like to attend (include date and time). Please note that you will most likely not receive an email confirmation email. However, we will have someone available during the scheduled times.

Webcast Participation: A number of Blackboard 9 Faculty Intros are being offered as interactive live Webcasts ( ) for the convenience of faculty and teaching staff not being able to come to campus. For more information on how to join a live Webcast click here.

West Campus location: ITL-West — Room 181 BGRC

The ITL is located at the ACCC main offices in the Benjamin Goldberg Research Center (BGRC), on the West campus. BGRC is a three-story red-brick building located at 1940 West Taylor Street (northeast corner of Taylor and Damen). The campus shuttle bus stops one block East of BGRC, on Taylor and Wolcott.

East Campus location: ITL-East — Room LIB 1-310

The ITL-East is located on the first floor of the Richard J. Daley Library, in room LIB 1-310, south wing, facing SEO.

Telephone — 312-996-9824
Email — itl@uic.edu

Week 14 :: Week of Monday 4/19

Monday 4/19 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 4/19 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 4/19 3-4pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Tuesday 4/20 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 4/20 11am-12pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181
Tuesday 4/20 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
Tuesday 4/20 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 4/20 7-8pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast

Wednesday 4/21 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 4/21 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Thursday 4/22 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 4/22 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 4/22 3-4pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Friday 4/23 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Friday 4/23 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Week 15 :: Week of Monday 4/26

Monday 4/26 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 4/26 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 4/26 3-4pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Tuesday 4/27 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 4/27 11am-12pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181
Tuesday 4/27 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Wednesday 4/28 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 4/28 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Wednesday 4/28 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 4/28 7-8pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))

Thursday 4/29 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 4/29 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 4/29 3-4pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Friday 4/30 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Friday 4/30 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Finals Week of Monday 5/3

Monday 5/3 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/3 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Monday 5/3 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/3 3-4pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Tuesday 5/4 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 5/4 11am-12pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181
Tuesday 5/4 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Tuesday 5/4 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Wednesday 5/5 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 5/5 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Wednesday 5/5 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Thursday 5/6 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/6 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Thursday 5/6 3-4pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/6 3-4pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Friday 5/7 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Friday 5/7 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Friday 5/7 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Week of Monday 5/10

Monday 5/10 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/10 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Monday 5/10 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/10 1-2pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Tuesday 5/11 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 5/11 11am-12pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181
Tuesday 5/11 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Tuesday 5/11 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Wednesday 5/12 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 5/12 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Wednesday 5/12 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Thursday 5/13 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/13 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Thursday 5/13 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/13 1-2pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Friday 5/14 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Friday 5/14 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Friday 5/14 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

4-Week Summer Session - Week 1 :: Week of Monday 5/17

Monday 5/17 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/17 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Monday 5/17 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/17 1-2pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Tuesday 5/18 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 5/18 11am-12pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181
Tuesday 5/18 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Tuesday 5/18 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Wednesday 5/19 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 5/19 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Wednesday 5/19 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Thursday 5/20 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/20 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Thursday 5/20 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/20 1-2pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Friday 5/21 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Friday 5/21 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Friday 5/21 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

4-Week Summer Session - Week 2 :: Week of Monday 5/24

Monday 5/24 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/24 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Monday 5/24 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Monday 5/24 1-2pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Tuesday 5/25 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Tuesday 5/25 11am-12pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181
Tuesday 5/25 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Tuesday 5/25 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Wednesday 5/26 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Wednesday 5/26 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Wednesday 5/26 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

Thursday 5/27 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/27 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Thursday 5/27 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Thursday 5/27 1-2pm (West Campus) ITL-West: Room BGRC 181

Friday 5/28 11am-12pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310
Friday 5/28 12-1pm (Webcast) Interactive Webcast
(( click here to attend the live Webcast ))
Friday 5/28 1-2pm (East Campus) ITL-East: Room LIB 1-310

If you have any questions, or would like to attend any of the Blackboard intro sessions, please send an email to itl@uic.edu indicating which session you would like to attend (please include date and time).

Blackboard Learn 9 May 14 Switchover

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:26:56 GMT

Blackboard will be upgraded to the new Blackboard Learn Release 9 on Friday, May 14, starting at 5pm. All existing Blackboard 8 sites and content will be automatically ported over to the new system. We anticipate to have the new system up within 24 hours.

The Blackboard Learn 9 user interface is very different for instructors and course developers. For students and general users, the new Blackboard will just look very modern and even more user-friendly.

UIC faculty and teaching staff should take advantage of the following resources offered by the ACCC Instructional Technology Lab (ITL) to help you make a smooth transition:

Try out Blackboard 9 look-and-feel *before* August
If you have not played with Blackboard 9 already, either play with the new system after the May 14 upgrade, or request a Blackboard 9 demo site today at: www.accc.uic.edu/itl/blackboard/request_siteBB9.shtml
Attend a 50-minute Blackboard 9 Faculty Introduction
The ITL offers Blackboard 9 Intro sessions every day either on the East and/or West campus, and via interactive Webcasts that you can attend from anywhere. For a Blackboard 9 Faculty Intro schedule, visit: www.accc.uic.edu/itl/bbintros.html
Visit the Blackboard 9 Support Website
The Website includes a number of self-service video tutorials, a support blog and wiki, links to the Blackboard 9 Instructor's Manual and various Quick Start Guides. You can find it at: www.accc.uic.edu/itl/bb9.html
Drop in anytime during ITL-East of ITL-West Walk-in Hours
- ITL-East (East campus) Walk-in Hours
  Mondays through Thursdays, from 1-5pm.
  The new ITL-East is on the first floor of the Richard J. Daley Library (Room LIB 1-310), south wing.
- ITL-West (West campus) Walk-in Hours
  Mondays and Thursdays, from 1-5pm. T
  The ITL-West is at 1940 West Taylor, in Room 181 BGRC, on the first floor of the Benjamin Goldberg Research Center.
Request an on-site Blackboard Faculty Intro session
The ITL is offering on-site Blackboard 9 Faculty Intro group sessions at your department, in your building. All that a teaching department or college has to do is request an on-site faculty intro session via email to itl@uic.edu.

Blackboard Learn 9 is a totally redesigned/rewritten Blackboard teaching and learning environment with an intuitive Web 2.0 interface, drag-and-drop simplicity, context-sensitive menus, notification dashboards, new collaborative learning tools, blogs, journals, enhanced homework assignment collection, personalized customization, opt-in email notifications, Facebook and iPhone alerts, and significant accessibility improvements.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the ITL at 312-996-9824 or itl@uic.edu.

Making a Flash movie player accessible

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:24:25 GMT

Ohio State University has developed a method to make Flash Video content more accessible to users with disabilities. This is great news, since most screen readers have difficulty reading Flash. To learn more visit the Accessible Web Video support page

Audio Narrated Power Point with PointeCast

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:09:45 GMT

Audio Narrated Power Point with PointeCast

PointeCast Publisher is a plug-in for PowerPoint that automatically converts your PowerPoint presentations into a highly compressed Web delivery presentation. The great part about PointeCast is that it will automatically zip up all necessary files so it is extremely easy to create and add to your Blackboard course site. Also, by default the online files will be in the Macromedia Flash format so there won't be issues with plug-ins, old versions of Java etc.

Also, if you are content to record your audio directly into PowerPoint that still works just fine. However, PointeCast also has an audio recorder built in should you decide to use that feature instead. You also have the ability to enhance your presentation by including a background audio track, import, edit and synchronize standard audio files with your PowerPoint slides and animations, as well as incorporate familiar control buttons, such as Play, Pause, and Next to allow end-users to control the presentation. For more information please visit the PointeCast Web site or stop by the ITL during our walk-in hours on the East or West campus.

Grade Center Tips & Tricks

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:10:27 GMT

Blackboard Grade Center Frequently Asked Questions

The end of the semester always generates a large number of questions and need for help by instructors trying to wrap up their teaching activities. Following is the top list of frequently ask questions associated with computing final grades using the Blackboard Grade Center. For in-depth documentation, consult the Grade Center chapter of the Blackboard Instructor Manual, the Blackboard Grade Center Unmasked document, or visit the UIC ITL Blackboard support site for miscellaneous links to Grade Center tutorials and other hypermedia. If the online documention does not answer your questions, please contact the ITL support staff at itl@uic.edu or call the ITL during regular office hours at 312-996-9824.

Q: How do I drop the lowest score for quizzes, tests, assignments, attendance, etc?

The first thing you must do to drop the lowest score is assign a category to each column. For example, if you have given 11 quizzes and want to drop the lowest quiz, you must assign each quiz column a category ("quiz").

To assign a category to a column, please follow the instructions below:

Click on the drop down arrows next to the column's name
Click on Modify Column
Next to Category, select the category you want the column to be referenced as. Make sure that the same category name is given to each column that is considered a quiz, test, etc.
Click Submit and repeat the steps above until all necessary columns are changed.

Once all columns have a category assigned to them, you can drop the lowest score as follows:

Click on Add Calculated Column
Choose Weighted from the drop down menu
Fill out the required information and under #3-Select Columns, choose from Categories to Select. Select the columns that you want and by using the arrow, move the selected columns to the "selected columns" area.
You can fill out the weight percentage for each item and drop the lowest or highest score.
Click Submit

Q: How can I Export my Grade Center, edit in Excel and then re-import into Blackboard?

From the Manage dropdown menu select the Download option. You can then download the entire Grade Center or a single column to youor personal computer. Make sure to only adjust the content of the spreadsheet; do not change any gradebook columns or headers. Once you are finished, login to Blackboard again, from the Manage dropdown menu select Upload and re-upload your Grade Center with the new changes you have made.

Q: What can I do to make sure that my weighted column is configured correctly?

If your weighted column is not being calculated correctly, it may be that the names of the columns selected in the weighted grade column are not matching the actual columns in the full Grade Center view.

First, make sure the columns names selected in the weighted grade column are matching the correct columns in the Grade Center. Many times if a course is copied over from previous semesters, it is easy to get duplicate columns with the same or similar name in the Grade Center.
If you happen to choose the wrong column to be weighted by a percentage and the specific column is empty, the students grade will be miscalculated. The easiest way to check if the names match is to click on the drop down arrows next to each columns names and choose Column Information. Column Information shows the name of the column, how many points possible, primary display, etc. Make a note of the columns names that you want included in the Weighted Grade Column.
Next, click on the drop down arrows next to the Weighted Grade Column (depending on what you have named the column) and choose Modify. Under "#3- Selected columns", double-check to make sure that the columns selected are the same as the ones noted above. If not, make sure that you remove the incorrect columns and replace it with the correct columns.

Q :My Grade Center has too many columns and it is difficult to see the appropriate information to correctly enter my grades, what can I do?

You have a number of options: If you temporarily need to turn off any particular columns browse to Manage > Organize Grade Center. From here you can temporarily turn off visibility for particular columns without deleting them permanently. For any columns you would like invisible select it with the checkbox and from the top drop-down option Show/Hide choose Hide Selected Columns. You could also easily define Grade Center Views to contain only sets of grade columns that you would like to see together.

Q: Why are my total points are not adding up to the correct amount?

This could be for a variety of reasons. However, the first step should be to check the point totals for each column and make sure they are accurate. You can check this by selecting the drop down arrows on each column and select Column Information and verify the point total is correct.

Q: Can I undo an override?

You can undo an Override by Reverting a grade. The Revert function only works for grades that have been Overridden.

Q: Can I drop a grade in the Grade Center?

Yes. You can exclude a grade from all calculations by Exempting it. Exempted grades can be Reverted from the Grade Details page or from the Grade Center spreadsheet. You can drop a grade by using a Weighted Column to automatically drop the lowest grade out of a particular Category, such as the lowest grade on Weekly Quizzes. You must create Categories in order to drop grades automatically.

Q: Can I organize my grade columns into categories?

Yes. You can create Categories to organize the Grade Center and run reports on specific types of grades. Default categories include Assignment, Discussion, Survey, and Test. Grade Center items that are not assigned a Category upon creation are automatically assigned to No Category. Create Categories before creating Grade Center Items.

Q: Can I post my grades directly into Banner?

No. UIC (UofI, actually) currently has no software mechanism that would allow final grades in Blackboard (or other learning management systems) to be submitted to Banner. A software integration between Banner and the LMS systems used at UIC, Urbana and Springfield is being planned and architected, by a number of stakeholders at the three campuses, along with AITS. An expected implementation date is not available at this juncture. In the mean time, please note that you can easily download the entire Blackboard gradebook or just the final grade column into an Excel spreadsheet (.cvs file) format by clicking on Manage > Download.

Q: Mac Specific - Why do I get an error message when using a Mac and Safari?

If you are using Mac OS and Safari, you may receive an error messsage (similar to the one below) when creating a weighted column in the Grade Center:

"java.lang.NumberFormatException: For input string: For reference, the Error ID is f27215de-220d-44ae-b260-66e2bcdf9dda"

The problem is that the Mac's Safari Web browser will only update up to Java Version 1.4 as its latest Java version (whereas Blackboard requires Java Version 1.5 or newer for everything to work right). Even installing the latest version of Safari does not resolve the problem. Fortunately, there is a simple solution for Mac Blackboard users: use Fireworks. Fireworks works flawlessly on the Mac environment. Firefox is programmed to actually work independent of the Operating System and harbors all the installs and applets on it's own. To download Firefox, visit www.mozilla.com

Blackboard 9 Intro Videos

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:31:04 GMT

Blackboard 9 Intro Videos

Now available: Blackboard 9 Flash Videos posted for your convenience.

Blackboard 9 Overview (Flash File - 7:10 min.)
Blackboard 9 Content Area, File Uploads, Communication, Quizzing & more (Flash File - 11:15 min.)
Blackboard 9 Users and Groups (Flash File - 6:15 min.)
Blackboard 9 Course Management (Flash File - 4:30 min.)
Blackboard 9 Grade Center and Additional Information (Flash File - 5:25 min.)

Youtube Closed Captioning and more

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:05:09 GMT

Youtube Closed Captioning and more

Google is experimenting with speech recognition technology to add captioning to YouTube videos. It currenly is only available for English-language speech, but it will eventual be available in 51 different languages. To learn more visit the NY Times article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/technology/internet/20google.html?_r=1

If you want to add closed caption to a video you have uploaded to YouTube, you can learn more from visiting the YouTube help site.

http://www.google.com/support/youtube/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=100079

While we are on the subject of closed captioning, the National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH has written guildlines for creating accessible iTunes U media. They have provided a collections of videos, please visit the following link to learn more.

http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/wgbh.org.2010579900

Blackboard Grade change question showing up in student's view

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:22:23 GMT

I made modifications to grades. For example, I may have modified a student's points from 15 points to 10 points. When I make the grades available for viewing in "My Grades", will the students see those modifications?

Yes, the student will be able to see the modified grade after you make it available for viewing through "My Grades".

Safe Assignment draft submission question

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:40:54 GMT

I submitted an assignment to Safe Assign as a draft, and then deleted it before I realized that I had to wait for the report to be returned. I posted it again without checking off submit as draft. Will the previously submitted version interfere with the check on the second submission?

No. The draft is only checked once and then discarded from future checks as the Draft is never saved in the institutional database of papers.

Top 10 reasons to use Blackboard 9 for your course site

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:06:34 GMT

Top 10 reasons to use Blackboard 9 for your course site

Using Blackboard cuts down on the amount of unnecessary printed paper by providing digitally accessible versions of the content via the web (which can still be printed if necessary).
Blackboard enables faculty members to easily adapt to unforeseen circumstances and changes in order to quickly and easily make necessary adjustments for assignments, meeting times and more by using the announcements section, built in email or updating files directly.
Group activities allow for many student collaboration options including blogs, file sharing, and more so students can work together face to face as well as remotely.
Teach more, not less: discussions that are truncated in class may continue electronically via discussion boards, blogs, wikis, pronto instant messaging etc.
Various Blackboard tools, such as class blogs, allow classes to communicate as a whole regarding class projects, internship opportunities, gatherings and related resources and are a good way for classmates to get to know each other better.
Built in quizzing and testing options which are automatically graded and entered into the Grade Center to quickly and easily reference the students results.
Accept digital papers electronically via the Grade Center. Download student papers, edit with comments in Word etc., re-upload the paper for the student to view your edits and provide the appropriate grade all within the Grade Center.
Post grades for students on an ongoing basis so they know how well they are doing during throughout the course (and at the end of the semester you will not have over 100 students emailing, calling and stopping by to find out their final grade)!
Import interactive learning tools (using SoftChalk Lesson Builder) for students to better grasp hard to understand concepts and even pull these SoftChalk activities into the Grade Center for participation points or actual quiz grades using SCORM compliant standards.
Blackboard tools can facilitate participation for students who typically do not feel comfortable talking in a live group setting by using discussion boards, blogs, pronto instant messaging and more.

Embedding Media in SoftChalk LessonBuilder

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:58:50 GMT

Can I embed video and audio into a lesson in SoftChalk LessonBuilder?

Yes, inserting media into SoftChalk LessonBuilder is very simple. SoftChalk LessonBuilder seamlessly
allows you to insert various types of media into your lesson, including sound, video and animation files.

Are all media formats supported in SoftChalk LessonBuilder?

Many file formats are supported. A list of the supported formats are shown below.

File Type	Formats Supported
Audio	aiff, au, mid, midi, mp3, ra, ram, rmf, wav, wma
Video	avi, mpeg, mpg, mov, wmv
Flash	swf
Shockwave	dcr
Web Movie	swf

How can I embed video/audio in SoftChalk LessonBuilder?

Open up your lesson in SoftChalk
Choose Insert -> Media (or right-click and choose Media)
Select the file type you are embedding: audio, video, flash, shockwave, or web movie. It is also
optional to add a description of the media.
Then select file or enter a URL.
Click OK.
Save and preview your lesson.

Can I link to a Streaming Web Movie (such as YouTube) and have it embedded in the page?

Yes, linking to a streaming web movie is very simple in SoftChalk LessonBuilder 5. Please follow the instructions below.

Go to the YouTube site (www.youtube.com) and find your movie.
Click in the Embed code (usually on the right side of the screen of the video).
Right-click and select Copy.
Within LessonBuilder, choose Insert -> Widgets.
Give the video a name, description, and paste the code.
Click OK.
Save and preview your lesson.

If you have any questions on embedding media into a SoftChallk LessonBuilder lesson, please contact the Instructional Technology Lab.

Centra aka ACCC eRooms Updated

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:24:38 GMT

On November 2nd we updates Saba Centra (ACCC eRooms) 7.6 from Service Pack1 to Service Pack 2.

Here is a list of the enhancements:

Technical Enhancements
• Core A/V Technology Upgrade — High-quality, 24 bit color appshare and video. Lossless compression.
• Support Firefox 3 and EI8, providing platform currency support.
• Support Mac Video — Extends the capability of the current Mac client, extremely important for the academic vertical. Developed using the same third-party technology used for Windows video.
• Accelerated Launch Process — Client launches immediately in incremental components. A shell loads first and incremental components of the shell load after. The splash screen has been removed so the initial client shell appears faster.

** You will be required to install a new version of the client.

You can always learn more by visiting http://itl.accc.uic.edu/erooms.

- Ernie Duran

Teaching & Learning Technology :: Designing Learning Space

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:55:10 GMT

Teaching & Learning Technology at UIC
Designing Learning Spaces
October 2009

Teaching & Learning Technology at UIC - a Mid-Fall Update

Blackboard Learn 9 Next-Generation pilot underway
- for more info, visit ITL home at www.accc.uic.edu/itl
- click on Blackboard Learn 9 Next-Generation under ITL News
- click on Blackboard 9 Next-Gen faculty Intro sessions
new ACCC Flash Media Streaming Server (FMSS) - available campus-wide
- visit the ITL Flash Streaming Support Website
campus-wide access to the entire library of Lynda.com online training tutorials
- see www.accc.uic.edu/training.html
- see also www.accc.uic.edu/itl/lynda (unannounced)
new UIC Student Multimedia Lab (SML)
- essentially, an ITL for students
- SML Website: www.accc.uic.edu/sml (unannounced)
support for student Response Systems (aka "clickers)
- ITL support Website: www.accc.uic.edu/itl/clickers.html
support for campus-wide lecture capture systems
personal and group blogs and wikis (outside of Bb course sites)
- aka same Blackboard site blogs and wikis UI
- ITL support Website
Next up: ACCC Fusion (ETA: 1Q2010)
- a social networking environment for UIC faculty, staff and students
- akeen of a private, semi-private, semi-public or public Facebook
- providing a rich Web 2.0 communication & collaboration environment
- email itl@uic.edu if interested in testing it in January

Flash Streaming Media Server Supported File Types

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:15:24 GMT

With the transitioning from the Realmedia Streaming server to the Flash Media Steaming Media Server certain file types will no longer be supported.

Format	Type	Container	Flash Player minimum	Usual codec pairing
Sorenson Spark	Video	FLV	6, 7, 8, 9+	Nellymoser / MP3
On2 VP6	Video	FLV	8, 9+ Flash Lite 3	Nellymoser / MP4
H.264*	Video	MPEG-4: MP4, M4V, F4V, 3GPP	9,0,115,0+	AAC+ / MP3
Nellymoser	Audio	FLV	6+	Spark / On2
MP3	Audio	MP3	6+ Flash Lite 3	Spark / On2
AAC+ / HE-AAC / AAC v1 / AAC v2	Audio	MPEG-4: MP4, M4V, F4V, 3GPP	9,0,115,0+	H.264
AMF 0	Data		6, 7, 8, 9+ Flash Lite 3
AMF 3	Data		8, 9+

To find out more please visit the Adobe support page.

Expand Collaboration with Wimba Pronto

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:14:57 GMT

What is Wimba Pronto?

Wimba Pronto is a first of its kind, academic instant messaging platform designed to bring informal learning settings online. Pronto encourages student engagement and collaboration. Wimba Pronto specifically benefits students, teachers, and educational institutions due to its unique features.

Why use Wimba Pronto?

Wimba Pronto is free and can be used inside and outside of Blackboard

The beauty of Pronto is that it knows what Blackboard sites you belong to and it automatically aggregates the students and instructors associated with each of the given Blackboard course sites, making it extremely easy for them to communicate and hold one-on-one and group text/audio chats.
Every teacher on campus should launch Pronto at least during Office Hours to give students another option to talk to instructors over the Internet. Face-to-face is best but it is not always possible or convenient.
Students use Pronto to collaborate on class projects either via scheduled Pronto chat sessions or ad hoc.
Some instructors (including Ed Garay) use Pronto to administer short real-time audio student assignments and quiz/interviews. Most of the students love it. IM and text messaging is their thing!
The ITL staff runs Pronto all day long to stay connected and provide yet another option for instant consultation & information exchange within the ITL staff.
The ITL and in particular the new Student Multimedia Lab (SML) plans to use Pronto Instant Messenger and Twitter to provide instant Tech Support and consulting whenever possible and as an alternate communication option to traditional email-based & phone methods.

How to download Wimba Pronto

Log into Blackboard.
Located under "Course Tools" click on "Pronto".
Click on "Register and Download Wimba Pronto".
A new window will open confirming that you want to download Pronto. From this screen you can choose which courses you want to appear in your Wimba Pronto client and as an instructor you can enable or disable Pronto for all participants in a specific course.
Once you have verified that the settings are correct, you can download Wimba Pronto. Just make sure you choose the correct Operating System (Mac OS X or Windows Vista, XP Windows 2000).
Choose run or save the file.
That's it. Start communicating with your students and classmates today!

After Wimba Pronto has been successfully installed on your machine, all you have to do is log into Pronto with your Pronto ID and password (UIC netID and general password).

If you have trouble downloading or using Wimba Pronto, please feel free to contact the Instructional Technology Lab either by email: itl@uic.edu or by phone: 312-996-9824.

Blackboard 9 Next-Gen arrives at UIC

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:35:27 GMT

ACCC is pleased to introduce its new Blackboard Learn 9 Next-Generation Pilot System, available today.

Blackboard Learn 9 is a totally redesigned/rewritten Blackboard teaching and learning environment with an intuitive Web 2.0 interface, drag-and-drop simplicity, context-sensitive menus, notification dashboards, new collaborative learning tools, blogs, journals, enhanced homework assignment collection, personalized customization, opt-in email notifications, Facebook and iPhone alerts, and significant accessibility improvements.

We urge all UIC faculty and teaching staff to familiarize yourselves with Blackboard 9 this Fall, before we switch the entire campus to Blackboard 9 in late December. Blackboard 9 looks very different than all previous Blackboard systems you have ever used.

For more information, Blackboard 9 training and a demo site, please visit the ACCC Instructional Technology Lab (ITL) Blackboard Learn 9 Next-Generation support Website at www.accc.uic.edu/itl/bb9.html or contact the ITL at itl@uic.edu, 312-996-9824 or preferably at bb9@uic.edu.

See also, Blackboard's own www.blackboard.com/release9 Website for on-demand system overviews and tutorials.

Blackboard 9 is really cool.

e-Rooms Troubleshooting Tips

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:23:45 GMT

ACCC e-Rooms (aka Centra) Web Conferencing - Troubleshooting Tips

What do I need to participate in an e-Rooms session?
You will need to install the Centra java client. The Centra java client is supported on Macs and PCs.

My Centra client software doesn’t load, what should I do?
If this is your first time, you will get a pop-up message asking you to install the Centra client software. If you did not receive a pop-up message, make sure you have pop-up blockers turned off for http://erooms.uic.edu.

Also, ensure that your Web browser is configured with Java and JavaScript enabled (this is true for most Web conferencing systems, for Blackboard and most other complex Web-based environments).

Windows Vista users, check to have “Access Control” to allow the Centra java client to load.

How do I participate in an e-Rooms session?
Most likely, you are given a participant's e-Rooms URL (which is the easiest) or instructions to find the event directly on the ACCC e-Rooms Centra server and self-enroll for the e-Rooms session using your CentraOne account.

Some intructors at UIC like to pre-enroll their entire class to their Centra sessions. If you need a CentraOne account and don't have one, create yourself an account at http://erooms.uic.edu. CentraOne accounts are not automatically created like you do with Blackboard.

Once logged in, you will see “My Schedule” that list any pre-enrolled sessions you are enrolled in. If none are listed, you can click on “Enrollment” and look for your instructor’s session.

I forgot my password, how do I retrieve it?
From the login screen click on the “Forget your password?” link to get an email of your lost password.

I cannot hear the presenter talk.
Everytime you launch the Centra client software, you must run the Centra Audio Wizard to check your speakers, headphones, microphone and/or headset with mic to verify that your personal computer's audio components are working correctly. Run the Centra Audio Wizard ahead of time, at least a couple of hours before the actual e-Rooms session, to allow time to fix your computer if necessary. Make sure you have not told Windows to mute your speakers either.

Why does my Centra client software keep crashing?
Close other CPU-intensive applications on your computer before participating in an e-Rooms session.

Also, use a hardwired Internet connection (especially, if you are one of the presenters!). Wireless network connections can flake out at any moment - hardwired network connections are best when using real-time continuous network applications like Web and video conferencing during extended periods of time (i.e. more than just a few minutes).

Best Practices for online quizzing in Blackboard

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:51:59 GMT

Best Practices for Online Quizzing in Blackboard

Information for instructors

Online tests (like Blackboard's) are not meant for high-stakes examinations!
Instead, think of online quizzes as short "open book, open computers, cell phones on hand" end-of-chapter exercises designed to give students and instructors immediate feedback or for emphasizing some key concepts. An ideal Blackboard quiz should have just a few questions, only take a few minutes to complete and only have a very small grade value. Offer little online quizzes as often as you wish but don't misuse the technology

Break a single long exam marathon into several shorter five-minute-long series of little online tests
Doing so, minimizes the risk of problems caused by distant learners intermittently losing their Internet connections (which happens frequent enough).

Do not use time limits on online tests at all
Research shows that time limits are useless and unnecessarily stress the students.
If a student grade shows up as an "!" mark or book icon in the Blackboard Grade Center, after the quiz is taken, it is probably because the student did not hit Submit or tried to back track on a question - students can not do this. If you continue to receive a "!" or book icon for multiple students consider using Blackboard's Multiple Attempts feature to display the grade for the last attempt (assuming the last attempt is not a locked "in progress" one.
If a grade is a book icon, it is because on the most recent attempt, a completed quiz was not submitted.
A Best Practice in online assessments is to allow enough time for students to finish the quiz without logging out.

Information to provide for students

Avoid using the Back button, once a test has begun.
Avoid using the navigation buttons on the left side menu once the test displays on your screen.
Do not hit the Back button on your browser. The Blackboard system works best by utilizing the navigational elements within Blackboard.
To move on to the next question click the arrowhead on the right bottom of the page (you do not need to hit Save).
Students should take the quiz while on campus or at a location with a fast Internet connection. Students with a slow (dial-up) connection may face difficulities submitting a quiz. If you use a dial-up modem to connect to the Internet, turn off call waiting. If you receive a phone call and call waiting is on, Blackboard will assume that you have completed the quiz and erase any answers you have entered.
Public Wi-Fi wireless connections are also extremely unreliable, expecially, when taking a long exam.
Make sure your browser(s) are up to date.
Avoid opening other browser windows while taking a Blackboard test.
To minimize the risk of connection interruption, students can:
- Open a second browser window and use it to generate some traffic every few minutes to keep the connection active. To open a second browser window go to the File Menu and select Open New Window. Open a site and then click in it every few minutes. That should keep your server from timing out.
Pop-up blocker software may block a quiz from opening. If an assesment is set to open in a new window, pop-up blocker software prevents a new window from "popping up."
To minimize the risk of connection interruption, students can
- Open a second browser window and use it to generate some traffic every few minutes to keep the connection active
- Contact their ISP to understand the time-out restrictions
- Refer to their modem or Dial-up Settings documentation to learn how to disable call-waiting or other services that may cause interruption
If the connection is terminated a student should
- NOT close the assessment browser window
- Attempt to re-connect immediately
- If the browser is not closed and the connection can be re-established, the student may be able to successfully submit the quiz. Obviously, this would not apply to a power failure or system crash.
A student may be locked out of a test if:
- the Internet connection fails
- your computer is accidentally turned off (e.g. power failure)
- you are inactive during the test for too long– After a period of inactivity the test will time out.
- you press the Back button on your browser
- you resize your Browser window
- call-waiting during the assessment
- any number of other errors occur
Obvious, but, after completing online quizzes, remember to hit Submit.

Weighted Grades in Blackboard Grade Center

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:25:33 GMT

A Weighted Grade is a Calculated Column that displays the calculated result of quantities and their respective percentages. Instructors control the visibility of the column in the Grade Center as well as controlling the release of the column to students and other users. For example, an Instructor may create a Weighted Grade column that calculates a quarterly grade (grade for one quarter of the year), in which each Category, such as Test, Survey, and Assignment are given a certain percentage of the final quarter's grade. Alternatively, the Instructor may create a Weighted Grade that is the final grade for a course, with the quarters and exams included in the Weighted Grade.

Instructors can create a Weighted Grade based on any column, or any Category in the Grade Center. Instructors can create any number of Weighted Grade columns, including Weighted Grade columns that include other Weighted Grade columns. For example:

(Quiz = 20%) + (Homework = 10%) + (Participation = 20%) + (Exam = 50%) = (Quarter Grade)
(Quarter 1 = 25%) + (Quarter 2 = 25%) + (Quarter 3 = 25%) + (Quarter 4 = 25%) = (Year Grade)

Best Practice: if you typically include multiple columns as a total percentage for a weighted total (for example there are a total of 20 columns for participation points) the best solution is to use categories and tag each of these columns as "participation". Then when you set-up your weighted total you can simply select the category "participation" and indicate the total percent this category will be worth based on 100% total.

ACCC e-Rooms Best Practices

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:59:15 GMT

ACCC e-Rooms Best Practices

Here are some tips to help you get a better experience out of using ACCC e-Rooms (aka Centra) Web conferencing:

The Centra client allows you to test out your microphone and speakers. It always best to make sure your equipment is running properly before a live event. Nothing distracts from things more when one is fumbling to get the audio working.
The eRooms sessions is readily avaible for use and testing up until the event session expires. What does that mean? Well, you can login and pull up the Centra client and practice your presentation if you were so inclined. You can also load up the presentation sides beforehand. This helps reduce the amount of time and effort in prep-work right before the event is about to start.
The presenter should always use a hardwired internet connection. Using a wireless network to present on can lead to fustration as the signal goes in and out.

ITL Blog

Blackboard Accessibility

Blackboard 9 offers significant enhancements in Web Accessibility

ITL Blackboard course site on Universal Design for Online Learning

Recommended Blackboard Browsers

Recommended Blackboard Browsers

Windows users

Mac users

General Information

Multimedia Student Assignments

ITL News - May 2010

iPad Demo Days at ITL

Blackboard 9 Faculty Intros

Blackboard Learn 9 Faculty Intro Sessionsover 100 sessions offered in April and May 2010

Blackboard Learn 9 May 14 Switchover

Making a Flash movie player accessible

Audio Narrated Power Point with PointeCast

Audio Narrated Power Point with PointeCast

Grade Center Tips & Tricks

Q: How do I drop the lowest score for quizzes, tests, assignments, attendance, etc?

Q: How can I Export my Grade Center, edit in Excel and then re-import into Blackboard?

Q: What can I do to make sure that my weighted column is configured correctly?

Q :My Grade Center has too many columns and it is difficult to see the appropriate information to correctly enter my grades, what can I do?

Q: Why are my total points are not adding up to the correct amount?

Q: Can I undo an override?

Q: Can I drop a grade in the Grade Center?

Q: Can I organize my grade columns into categories?

Q: Can I post my grades directly into Banner?

Q: Mac Specific - Why do I get an error message when using a Mac and Safari?

Blackboard 9 Intro Videos

Blackboard 9 Intro Videos

Youtube Closed Captioning and more

Blackboard Grade change question showing up in student's view

Safe Assignment draft submission question

Top 10 reasons to use Blackboard 9 for your course site

Top 10 reasons to use Blackboard 9 for your course site

Embedding Media in SoftChalk LessonBuilder

Centra aka ACCC eRooms Updated

Teaching & Learning Technology :: Designing Learning Space

Flash Streaming Media Server Supported File Types

Expand Collaboration with Wimba Pronto

Blackboard 9 Next-Gen arrives at UIC

e-Rooms Troubleshooting Tips

Best Practices for online quizzing in Blackboard

Best Practices for Online Quizzing in Blackboard

Information for instructors

Information to provide for students

Weighted Grades in Blackboard Grade Center

ACCC e-Rooms Best Practices

Blackboard Learn 9 Faculty Intro Sessions
over 100 sessions offered in April and May 2010