D-Term Academic Technology News
Department(s):
Academic Technology CenterThe ATC team is here to help you get ready for a quickly approaching Spring term here at WPI. If you need any assistance getting your courses up and running please email us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu.
TechFlex updates & support
D-Term Microphone & Classroom Tech Request
The ATC would appreciate hearing about your D-term TechFlex intentions so that we can try to anticipate voice amplification microphone needs, AV equipment needs (e.g. document cameras), your use of the Echo360 software/hardware, and/or the use of Zoom in classrooms in support of your delivery formats.
Please complete the attached form (requires WPI login) once for each course you will be teaching in D-term.
Zoom Web Conferencing Updates
Zoom now has a live AI transcriptioning (captioning) service. For more information, visit our blog post on how to enable live captioning.
New Lightboard Install!
ATC partnered with the Gordon Library to install a Revolution Lightboard into Tech Suite 121 for use in recording micro-lectures or in live Zoom sessions.
Upcoming workshops
Canvas
Sign up for a Coffee & Canvas session! Need a quick refresher on Canvas basics? Want to do a deep dive into a specific Canvas tool? Grab your beverage of choice and book a 30 minute chat with a Canvas expert. Dates available mornings throughout March.
Booking link: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/CoffeeCanvas@wpi.edu/bookings/
Educational Media Trainings
March 10, 10am – Closed Captions for Educational Media
https://wpi.zoom.us/j/99924916650
March 12, 10am – Sharing Zoom Meetings on Canvas
https://wpi.zoom.us/j/97277151674
March 15, 11am – Echo360 Basic Training
https://wpi.zoom.us/j/96725517220
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
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! On Demand and Micro Trainings
Don’t see anything that works for you? Contact us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu to schedule a 1-on-1 session that works with your schedule.
Canvas 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!
Tech Help
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.
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.
For email support, please contact canvashelp@wpi.edu with any questions or issues!
Video publishing & sharing options
Running out of space in your Canvas site? In most cases, this is because large videos are hogging up Canvas Files quotas. WPI has a variety of ways to share videos with students that don’t count against your Canvas site quotas. 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
Echo360's "Universal Capture" software allows you to create lecture captures from your own computer and share with students. You can find out more about how to use Universal Capture here.
For more information or to schedule a training on Echo360, contact atc-ttl@wpi.edu.
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. You can even use it in Zoom! 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! Qualtrics will be making changes to their survey building dashboard over the next couple of months. Learn more about what to expect.
For more information or to schedule a training on Qualtrics, contact atc-ttl@wpi.edu
Interested in enhancing your online class discussions?
WPI has a free license to use FlipGrid, which allows for video discussion boards that can be enabled directly within Canvas. Learn more about FlipGrid.
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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