Friday, April 10, 2015

Week's End Report - April 10, 2015

Tip of the Week!

Instructors often like to post links in their courses to websites where students can get more information about a topic you’re covering. Unfortunately Blackboard blocks any websites that attempt to open inside the same window. To work around this you will need to set your links to open in a new window.
hyperlink1.jpg
First, type in your text and select the text that you want to change to a hyperlink. Then click the button that looks like a chain (in the screenshot above it’s where the hand icon is pointing roughly in the middle of the second toolbar).

After you’ve clicked the link button, a pop-up window will open, as shown below (so make sure you have your pop-up blockers turned off or set an exception for Blackboard).
hyperlink2.jpg
The window will have an option for your link path (this is the URL you want the link to go to, in this example we want them to go to Google at www.google.com).

Below will be a drop-down menu titled “Target.” Click that drop-down and change the setting to “Open in New Window (_blank).”

Blackboard Upgrade/Notification

  • Blackboard will be unavailable from 12:30 am - 6:30 am Friday, April 10
  • Blackboard will be unavailable from 12:30 am - 6:30 am Friday, April 17
  • Effective Saturday, May 16th, Blackboard will contain only courses that are two years old or newer. This means that courses from Summer 2011 (201110) through Spring 2013 (201230) will no longer be available on Blackboard.
  • Prior to this switch, please make sure you archive, export, copy or download any materials you need from courses from these semesters.
  • For more information about archiving and exporting, see the website: http://bit.ly/idcbbexportarchive

Blackboard Issue

  • An issue was reported on Friday, April 3rd regarding Blackboard Wikis
  • This bug prevents students from viewing or posting comments on Wiki posts in Blackboard
  • The fix for this issue will be implemented during the April 17th update
  • Until the bug is fixed please either work with your program chairs to identify an alternative assessment or hold off on further use of this feature until after the update

Tutor.com

  • 24/7 tutoring now available online through the Tutor.com module in Blackboard!
  • Tutoring is currently available for the following courses:
    • ACCT101
    • APHY101
    • BIOL101
    • ENGL111 and remedial courses
    • HLHS101
    • MATH023, 080, 100, 122, 123, 127, 128, 129, 136
  • Some tutoring options are available for ALL courses!
  • tutorcom.jpgTo access this service, look for the Tools module on the left side of the home screen in Blackboard and click on the Free Online Tutoring from Tutor.Com link
  • The tool allows students to upload files, they can use the whiteboard and chat features to work with the tutor. At the end of the session they can get an e-mailed transcript of the session, they can print their session and they can replay the session.
  • There is also an option for students to submit an essay and have it reviewed by a tutor
  • Please share this tool with your students!

E-mail and Voicemail Delivery and Access Issues

  • On Monday, April 6th, issues were experienced with the Exchange servers that affected e-mail delivery and access across the state. Issues began in the morning and were fully resolved around 5:50 pm.
  • On Monday, April 6th, there were delays experienced with the access of voicemail through the I3 telephone system.
  • Exchange, Evisions, CollegeNet, Fundware, Sharepoint and IvyNews will be unavailable on Sunday, April 19th from 7:30-9:00 am.

IVYC101 Online Instructor Certification

Due to budget cuts, there will be no additional sections of IVYC101 added for the fiscal year. If you would like to take the course this summer, please sign up through the Training Portal. There are only a few seats remaining!

Training Opportunity

  • Kokomo will be finishing the transition to the VOIP phone system on Weds. April 22nd after 5 pm.
    • Training sessions will be held at Kokomo Main room M201 on Tues., April 21st and Weds. April 22nd at 8am, 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
    • Only 12 seats are available for each time, so sign up to ensure you get into the session you want to attend!
    • Please sign up for training by e-mailing Jean at eheflin1@ivytech.edu
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)