B-Term Academic Technology News
Department(s):
Academic Technology CenterIt’s Fall and your Academic Technology team is already well into preparations for the new term. We’ve got plenty of updates for you for B-Term so please take a moment to review this newsletter and let us know how we can help you prepare for the unknown!
TechFlex updates & support
The Echo360 lecture capture system has been installed in all classrooms to record classes and automatically make the recordings available online for remote (as well as on-campus) students to watch later. Echo360 also includes a live stream option with a text-based chat function for addressing questions from remote students. Based on A-term feedback from faculty, the ATC will also be installing Logitech MeetUp cameras/microphones into the following classrooms for B-term: AK233, FI105, FI203, FI205, FL311, HL230, SL305, and SL406. These devices allow for the use of Zoom in these classrooms.
B-Term Microphone & Classroom Tech Request
The ATC would appreciate hearing from you about your intentions for B-term so that we can try to anticipate voice amplification microphone needs, your use of the Echo360 software/hardware, and/or the use of Zoom in classrooms in support of your TechFlex delivery formats.
Please complete the attached form (requires WPI login) once for each course you will be teaching in B-term. If you are teaching a 15-week graduate course that started in A-term, there is no need to complete the form for that course as we have your needs captured already.
Microsoft Teams has been integrated into Canvas to facilitate group project work and help students socially collaborate. Read about using Teams for Classes at WPI. Not sure about how Teams can fit into your exponentially growing set of tech tools? Drop by one of IT’s Teams Office Hours coming up on Tues. Oct 6 & 13 from 11am-12pm to chat with our Microsoft trainer.
The WPI Faculty Online Learning Community Microsoft Teams site has been created for sharing resources, strategies, questions about online and blended teaching. This new resource is supported by WPI Faculty Online Champions, the Morgan Center, and the ATC Technology for Teaching and Learning team.
Canvas requests & support
Please use our form for all Canvas site requests: https://www.wpi.edu/+canvasrequest
This includes adding TAs or staff to your course site, copying content from a previous term, merging sections into one site, or creating a new organization site. If you have a course with a CRN in Banner, a site will be generated automatically for you within Canvas. No need to take the time to request these!
Canvas Tech Support
Canvas Support via chat, phone, or email is available 24/7 for both faculty and students by clicking the Help button in the bottom left-hand corner of Canvas.
Chat & phone support with Canvas are the best way for faculty & students to get immediate help for especially time sensitive things like taking a test, submitting an assignment, error messages, technical issues, etc. For email support, please contact canvashelp@wpi.edu with any questions or issues!
Upcoming Workshops
Canvas Clinic drop-in sessions will continue every Tuesday through Oct. 13th! Come join us between 3pm-4pm at this Zoom link: https://wpi.zoom.us/j/99027135611
Instructional Design open office hours on Mondays 3-4pm, Wednesdays 9-10am, and Fridays 11:30am-12:30pm using this Zoom: https://wpi.zoom.us/j/393623552
Can’t find a time that works? Contact us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu to schedule a 1-on-1 session that works with your schedule.
On Demand and Micro Trainings
We’ve recorded and collected our best workshops, and other “micro training” sessions where you can learn a topic in 10 minutes or less!
Video publishing & sharing options
Running out of space in your Canvas site? WPI has a variety of ways to share videos with students. Our online video platform, Ensemble, provides storage, playlist functionality, public sharing links, and embedding options for your Canvas course site.
Another platform, Canvas Studio, provides additional interactivity options for use within Canvas.
Studio's functionality includes screen recording, webcam recording, and auto-captioning. When fully integrated into your Canvas site, students may collaborate and comment real-time on videos, as well as complete video project assignments through Canvas.
Explore your video options at one of our upcoming workshops or email your questions to atc-ttl@wpi.edu.
Echo360 Lecture capturing
Lecture capturing allows you to record camera video, graphics display (such as Powerpoint) and your voice so that you can share it with your students. Echo360's "Personal Capture" software - used on your own computer and sharable with students - is being replaced by a new version called Universal Capture.
Web conferencing
If you are interested in:
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Bringing a guest speaker to your classroom
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Teaching your class from home due to inclement weather
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Giving your students a tool to share and discuss ideas in real-time
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Hosting an online, interactive class or meeting
…you may be interesting in learning about Zoom, our web-conferencing tool. Zoom supports simultaneous screen sharing, video, and audio (telephone or computer audio), as well as a suite of collaboration tools, and many more features.
To get started with Zoom, please contact Jolene Cotnoir at jcotnoir@wpi.edu.
Classroom engagement & surveys
Poll Everywhere is a web-based polling solution where students use their phone, tablets, and laptops to answer questions used for lecture engagement. If you do not currently have access to Poll Everywhere or would like further training please use the Polling Request form.
Will your students be creating surveys and collecting data?
WPI has a site license for the fully featured Qualtrics suite. No need to use "free" online services for your surveys!
For more information or to schedule a training on Qualtrics, contact atc-ttl@wpi.edu
Contact us
Got a question or a problem? E-mail atc-ttl@wpi.edu and we'll be happy to help find a solution!
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