What you need to know NOW to prepare for upgrade to Blackboard Learn in fall 2012

Blackboard Learn is coming to MCC!

This new version of our course management system has many new teaching and learning tools you can use to help advance our goal of student success. Bb Learn offers course wikis, individual student blogs, and the ability to embed multimedia and web-based content from Flickr, YouTube, and Slideshare, as well as many other features that can not only help students achieve, but help make course preparation and management more efficient for you.

Please note the following information to help ensure a smooth transition from Blackboard Vista to Blackboard Learn. All course sections will be created in or migrated to Blackboard Learn for the fall 2012 semester.

Some Courses will use Learn this Fall

Unless you were trained last spring or summer to participate in the Rollout 1 phase this fall or the Rollout 2 phase in spring 2012, you will continue to use Blackboard Vista until fall 2012.

Please note that during in the phase-in period in fall 2011 and spring 2012, some of your students may be taking courses in both Learn and Vista.

All students are enrolled in Orientation shells complete with tutorials, documentation, and Help information for the applicable version(s) of Blackboard.

Staff at the 24/7 Help Desk (http://www.commnet.edu/portal/help)

and ETDL staff (sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu) will assist students with Learn and/or Vista questions.

When Should You Sign Up for Training?

Faculty members who currently use Blackboard Vista to support their on-campus courses will be trained in spring 2012. They should enroll in the Transitioning to Blackboard Learn workshop and the tools workshops listed below.

Faculty members who have never used Blackboard Vista may enroll in the Getting Started with Blackboard Learn and the tools workshops in spring 2012.

Which Workshops Should You Take?

Experienced Blackboard Vista faculty who only use Bb to support on-campus courses will want to enroll in the following workshops as soon as possible in spring 2012:

* Transitioning from Blackboard Vista to Blackboard Learn (a prerequisite for all Learn workshops)
* Communicate Information to Students
* Create and Grade Assignments
* Interact with Students Through Discussions

Faculty who have never used Blackboard Vista, but would like to use Blackboard Learn to enhance on-campus classes should enroll in Getting Started with Blackboard Learn in spring 2012. After you have completed the Getting Started workshop, you may enroll in:

* Communicate Information to Students
* Create and Grade Assignments
* Interact with Students Through Discussions

Workshop information, dates and registration are available on the course cart, which is frequently updated: http://www.commnet.edu/academics/iitt/coursecart.asp

Where is Training Offered?

ETDL will offer weekly training at MCC. Courses are listed in the Course Cart.

What Type of Support Will be Available?
* The ETDL staff will be available for one-on-consulting and troubleshooting after you have completed your training.
* Send requests for assistance or technical questions to sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu
* You will be provided with a "sandbox" course to practice in after you attend the initial "transitional training." You will receive guidance on how to review and update your migrated courses.
* You will be enrolled in an online Blackboard Learn Faculty Orientation course.
* Online resources (such as videos, courses, documentation) will supplement classroom-based training.

For More Information
Information about Blackboard Learn is at: http://www.commnet.edu/academics/blackboard/faculty/BbLearn_faqs_timeline.asp

New Cameras for the Sandbox!

It's a happy day here in the Ed. Tech. Department at Manchester Community College! Today is MCC's 47th Annual Commencement Ceremony! The sun is shining and the weather is warm (finally!). It is also a beautiful day because we got new cameras for the sandbox: 3 new flip cameras and 1 new Canon digital video camera. I know, the company that makes the flip cameras went belly up, but that doesn't mean we still cant get some use out of them. The flip cameras are actually a handy, powerful little camera! Hopefully we can have some fun with these cameras this summer. The new equipment is just in time for our new iMovie workshop scheduled for next Fall!

Please let us know if you are interested in using these new cameras. It's a wonderful day when I get to un-package and play with new cameras! :)
Thanks!

MacCaption for video captioning

This week the ETDL department has been working with the software MacCaption. Instructors from the Disability Specialist program here at MCC will use MacCaption to make the program videos accessible to all viewers on the web.

Captioning is a somewhat complicated and time-consuming process but is necessary to comply with accessibility standards. MaCaption is a relatively easy program to use and will improve our campus marketing videos as well as our program specific videos online.

If you are interested in learning how to use this software, contact the Sandbox at MCC.
You can also check out this short presentation (in pdf format) in Google documents HERE.

Please let the sandbox know if you have any questions regarding this or any other technology.

Learn about Prezi!

At MCC we are very excited about the new zooming presentation tool called Prezi. We regularly host hands-on workshops for those interested in using Prezi for educational purposes.
If you are interested in Prezi, you can create an account on http://prezi.com/profile/signup/edu/

With Prezi, you can animate your information in a dynamic way. It also simplifies your presentation and makes it visually interesting. You can add images, YouTube videos and more. Prezi is web-based, so you can count on your presentations being accessible on any computer with an internet connection. You can also print your Prezis as PDF documents and embed them in websites!

Check out this Prezi to see what it's all about!

Introduction to presenting with prezi v3 on Prezi

Bring on Fall semester 2010!

We've been busy in the ETDL department as the campus is gearing up for fall 2010!
Our fall workshop schedule has been listed ( IITT Course Cart ), we are preparing for both the Campus' Professional day training & the New Student Orientation training, we are offering webinars throughout the summer and fall for faculty and staff, and we are preparing for the technology conference in October.

Wow! It's been a busy summer and bound to be an even busier fall!

It's been exciting though: in the recent past we have been updating our new iTunes U page, learning about Prezi and Voicethreads, we are playing with new webcams and ipod touches, moved our offices and are developing new workshops.

It's going to be a great fall semester! Stay tuned! :)

iTunes U off to a great start!

Our MCC iTunes U page is off to a great start! We had contributions from the Biology program, the Music program, the Speech-Language Pathology program & the Photography program! Various instructors loaded audio, video and PDF files to iTunes U this last semester.

It's a great start to the academic content on the site. This summer, instructors and the ETDL department will continue to plug away and add additional content that will aid student in their classes.

The page is not yet public--stay tuned for additional posts when it is. Thanks!

Voicethread

The ETDL department recently acquired a Voicethread Higher Ed account! Voicethread is an exciting website where a group of users can have an online conversation utilizing photos, video and audio to create dynamic conversations.

If you have not tried Voicethread, set up a free account on their website: https://voicethread.com/#home

Trust me, you will have fun experimenting with it!

In the very near future, the ETDL department will be offering introductory workshops on Voicethread, so stay tuned!

Clickers game show a success!

The opening ceremony to celebrate Black History month at MCC started successfully with an interactive Black history game show Wednesday February 3, 2010. The game show used clickers and a PowerPoint presentation to deliver interesting questions about black history to a full audience in the SBM Charitable Foundation Auditorium.

If you are interested in using interactive clickers in your class or event, contact us in the Sandbox and we would be happy to help you:
MCC Sandbox, LRC B130
(860) 512-2857, sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu

Readiness for Education at a Distance Indicator (READI)

If you have never taken an online course or are encouraging your students to consider online learning, check out MCC's READI assessment! READI helps you discover your learning style and indicates if online learning is right for you now.

The assessment takes about 15-20 minutes to complete and you will recieve a score report which will help you understand your learning strengths and opportunities for improvement. The assessment will also direct you to resources that will help you succeed.

The self assessment is located here: http://mcc.readi.info (READI)
To log into READI, the username is 'Student 6', the password is 'wiki'

Good luck!

8 MCC Faculty Members Receive iTeach Certificates

Eight Manchester Community College faculty members have completed a rigorous online training course that prepares instructors to teach fully online courses. iTeach Essentials is offered by the Connecticut Community College System’s Teaching & Learning Team and the Instructional & Informational Technology Training program (IITT).

Martin Hart, Heidi Higgins, Rachel Mintell, Jonathan Morris, C.K. Pai, Francine Rosselli, Jana Sime, and Nyla Tresser attended iTeach Essentials sessions during the last academic year. Each received a certificate signed by Chief Academic & Student Affairs Officer Dr. Paul A. Susen and the iTeach Essentials facilitators.

Participants were immersed in an online learning environment that included a full “student experience” of readings, discussion forums, group work, reflective journals, and technical assignments. Best practices in pedagogy, technology use, course design, classroom management, and online communication and interaction were modeled and practiced.

Experiencing online learning as a student was a key element of the course for several faculty members.

“The most significant thing I learned from iTeach is that there is a difference between how a student learns in an online class as compared to a traditional classroom setting. I think being in the role of a student has helped me see how my students would view their course and what tools and information they need to be successful in the course. Now I know why the design and content of the course are so important to how and what the student will learn.," Heidi Higgins, who teaches for the Center for Business & Technologies, said.

Faculty members also noted that iTeach Essentials provided perspectives that will influence their on-ground teaching as well as their virtual classrooms.

"Because of my experience in the iTeach course, I have completely altered my approach to on-line education. The course has allowed me to reexamine my on-ground courses as well. I will utilize new technology more effectively now that I have had this experience. It really goes way beyond learning how to use Blackboard Vista," Rachel Mintell, instructor in the Mathematics, Science & Health Careers Division, said.

“The iTeach course challenged me to evaluate and rethink my approach to teaching in an online environment. The iTeach course was excellent because it provided opportunities to think about the pedagogy and best practices associated with teaching online and also provided practical application of the various tools I can incorporate in my online courses,” Martin Hart, instructor for the Center for Business & Technologies, said.

iTeach Essentials was created by the Teaching & Learning Team and volunteers from throughout the system who contributed their content expertise, design, teaching ,and technical skills to the creation of the course.

“The Teaching & Learning Team carefully designed iTeach Essentials to provide a strong pedagogical foundation for the course,” Bonnie Riedinger, MCC’s director of Educational Technology and Distance Learning and co-chair of T&L, said.

“Successful online teaching is much more than knowing which buttons to push in Blackboard Vista. Although instructors need technical proficiency to teach online, the ability to communicate effectively online, facilitate community and interaction, design effective online assignments, learning objectives, and course structure will make or break an online course,” she said.

“iTeach introduces a fresh perspective of our online learners… (it is) recommended for both seasoned and novice online instructors,” C.K. Pai, assistant professor in the Mathematics, Science & Health Careers Division, said.

The 9-week, fully-online course is recommended for all faculty members in the Connecticut Community College system who are interested in teaching fully online courses. Although the class takes place completely online, it is not a “self-paced” course; there are several discussion and assignment deadlines throughout each week of the course. Participants are required to submit assignments, complete practice tasks in an assigned Blackboard Vista practice section, and post substantive messages and responses to discussion boards and journals on a weekly basis. Participants can expect to spend 5-9 hours per week on the required readings, activities, and discussions.

For more information about the course and participation eligibility and requirements, visit the iTeach web site at: http://www.commnet.edu/academics/blackboard/faculty/iTeach.asp

To find and register for iTeach courses: Please visit the IITT Course Cart to check the current schedule.

NetVibes.com

This brief video is an introduction to the free website netvibes.com.
Learn how to navigate within the website by seeing examples of how to add a widget and an RSS feed. This video also provides an example of a course page in netvibes.


To watch the video full-screen, please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ISYtE6SSr8.

Reports on Online Learning

Below are interesting reports on online learning:

U.S. Deptartment of Education--Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning, Final Report 2009.

* "The meta-analysis found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction." (Directly from abstract, pg. ix)

National Survey of Student Engagement--Promoting Engagement for All Students:The Imperative to Look Within, 2008 Results

* "Online courses seem to stimulate more intellectual challenge and educational gains. This suggests that integrating technology-enhanced courses into the curriculum for all students might have some salutary benefits." (page 17)

iTeach

Interested in being trained for online teaching? Consider enrolling in iTeach essentials.

Check out the iTeach description found on this website: www.commnet.edu/academics/blackboard/faculty/iTeach.asp

"The iTeach Essentials course is a new 9-week, fully-online learning opportunity for faculty in the Connecticut Community College system who are interested in teaching fully online courses. Online teaching is not about knowing which buttons to push in Blackboard Vista. Although technical proficiency supports online teaching, the ability to communicate effectively online, facilitate community and interaction, design effective online assignments, learning objectives, and course structure are paramount to the success of online learning. Topics in this course include both pedagogical and technical best practices of online teaching and classroom management."


MCC instructor Heidi Higgins said this about her experience:
“The most significant thing I learned from iTeach is that there is a difference between how a student learns in an online class as compared to a traditional classroom setting. I think being in the role of a student has helped me see how my students would view their course and what tools and information they need to be successful in the course. Now I know why the design and content of the course are so important to how and what the student will learn. It really is important to have that consistency from week to week in the course….

…iTeach has been a great experience. It has been helpful, informative, eye opening, and yes, a lot of work. I enjoyed the course and the company of all the wonderful classmates and instructors who made it a success. Thanks so much!”

To find and register for iTeach courses: Please visit the IITT Course Cart to check the current schedule.

Add RSS Feed into Blackboard Vista

Adding an RSS Feed into your Blackboard Vista section incorporates current events and trends into your course material. Your students will be more engaged if they can relate what's going on in the real world with what is learned in class. It's quite simple--see this brief video tutorial to learn how:



To view a full size video, go to YouTube. Thanks!

Blackboard Vista Crash Course!

Want to learn the basics of setting up your online class with blackboard vista?
Interested in being prepared for an emergency during the semester?
Want to make your course material available online for your students?

Then this 8 minute tutorial is for you! In this video, we cover:
* How to set up your blank course
* Choosing your course tools
* Uploading a syllabus
* Creating a folder
* Adding course materials to a folder
* Designing the header of your home page
* Importing an image
* Creating a Discussion Board topic
* And where to go to find more tutorials.

If you want to view a larger version of this video, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeO2qSA53K4

If you have questions, please let the sandbox know: (860) 512-2857, sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu

Add Twitter Widget to your Blackboard Vista Course

Image via CrunchBase

This short video tutorial demonstrates how to add a Twitter Widget to your Blackboard Vista course home page. That way, your tweets are updated automatically inside the course for your students to see.




If you want to view a larger version of this and other videos, please visit our YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MCCSandbox

New Logo!

Check out our awesome new logo created by our student worker, Aaron.

MCC Sandbox Equipment Loans

This video provides an overview of various equipment on loan from the Educational Technology and Distance Learning department at Manchester Community College(MCC). Users are asked to contact the department by emailing Sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu or calling 860-512-2857. Also, users can click on the following link to the Forms Depot on the MCC website to access both the Equipment Loan Request and the various Equipment Agreement forms at http://www.mcc.commnet.edu/students/form.php



If you would like to veiw a larger version of this video, please go to You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bY_LRL-XLs

Introduction to Sympodium Instructor Stations

This video introduces the Sympodium Instructor Station present in classrooms at Manchester Community College. If you have any questions, please contact us in the Sandbox (B130) sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu



To view a larger version, go to www.youtube.com/user/MCCSandbox

Survey Monkey

Watch this brief tutorial on how to create an account & survey with Survey Monkey.
Create your own Surveys for the classroom or office with Survey Monkey!



To view a larger video format, please visit: www.youtube.com/user/MCCSandbox

MCC Instructor Highlight: Joan Jakiela

This posting is highlighting the extraordinary work of Professor Joan Jakiela at Manchester Community College. Joan teaches Transitional Development (Social Science B150) and asked us in ETDL to help with some technology workshops. The students in this class are returning students, adults in transition.

Joan wanted to expose different aspects of MCC and technology to these students to better prepare them for their program and future career. We led two workshops: eTutoring & Microsoft PowerPoint. ETutoring is a free online tool available to MCC students. It was a valuable resource when Joan assigned an essay because ETutoring has an online Writing Lab.

Joan with Sarah and Jessi lee from ETDL also helped lead a PowerPoint workshop and hand-on lab in class. The students were assigned to make a presentation about their future career. The class was a hit and the majority of the students learned a new program.

Joan said "everyone in the class found it valuable. I have a 4^th grader and a 7^th grader that both had to present a PowerPoint slide show along with handouts this week. I think this helped my students realize this is a program they need to learn now, rather than later!”

Below are some student comments on their experience learning PowerPoint:

• “I have never been afforded the opportunity to use PowerPoint before and I was pleased to see how easy Microsoft has made it. It is a heck of a tool to use to relate information to a group. This is a program that many companies use and is a powerful asset for our future careers.”

• “It looked so foreign and complicated at first; I didn’t think I could ever do it. But after Joan Jakiela’s PowerPoint class, it’s so simple and impressive. The more I practiced, the more I could add, and I put together a good, professional presentation.”

• “I really enjoyed learning PowerPoint although the computer is still winning the battle. The hand-out given to me was important because it helped me absorb the information and I became better. I wish this stuff was available when I started school in 1965. I pray that children and young adults realize sooner than later that this is amazing & valuable information that they can use in positive/healthy ways to create a better world for themselves and future families.”

• “My experience with using PowerPoint is highly encouraging. It was very helpful to me in the sense that I was able to organize my presentation in a short time. It drives away my anxiety! Importing clip art and images were superb. Overall it was fantastic.”

Kudos to you, Joan for using technology in the classroom effectively! You have also given your students tools to help them succeed in the world! Keep up the good work...

If you have any questions or comments, please let us in sandbox know:

sandbox@mcc.commnet.edu

Summer & Fall 2009 Workshops @ MCC!

We have already scheduled most of our Summer and Fall 2009 Workshops! Workshops for Summer and Fall include various topics on Blackboard Vista, Web 2.0 technology, Microsoft Office, Smart Tools, Clicker Systems, & much more...
Sign up now in the IITT Course Cart. Learn about new technologies this summer and fall to bring into the classroom and office.

How to Subscribe to RSS feeds in Outlook

Learn how to subscribe to RSS feeds in Microsoft Outlook & then invite others to subscribe.
If you want to view a larger video version, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/user/MCCSandbox

You Tube Channel

MCC's Sandbox has a You Tube Channel!
http://www.youtube.com/user/MCCSandbox

We will be posting all of our videos there as well as listing our favorite videos relating to educational technology.

Copy Section Forward in Blackboard Vista

Hello again! Are you getting ready for next semester and want to learn how to copy your Blackboard Vista section forward? Then check out this video tutorial! Don't let all your hard work go to waste--copy your content to next semester's section. If you run into a snag, let us in the Sandbox know.



Made by Jessi Lee Mraz with Camtasia Studio 6 @ MCC!

Tablet PC Workshop Rescheduled

MCC Instructor Negussie Tirfessa has rescheduled his Tablet PC workshop to May 28 @ 1PM. Are you curious how Tablet laptop PC's are used in education? Have you heard of programs like Classroom Presenter, Ubiquitous Presenter OR Microsoft Physics Illustrator?

These programs and much more will be covered in the workshop! Learn how Negussie's students use tablet PC's for his class. Sign up now in the Course Cart.

Creating Forms in Microsoft Word 07 Tutorial

View this video tutorial to learn how to make and protect simple forms in Microsoft Word 2007:



Made by Elaine Rock Lindroth in Camtasia Studio 6 @ MCC!

eTutoring at MCC

ETutoring is a free service available to MCC students. Encourage your students to take advantage of the great, free educational resources available to them! ETutoring includes e-chat, e-questions, and an e-writing lab all online in the following subject areas: Accounting, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Math (all subject areas except Calculus), General Science, Statistics, and Writing.

Visit the following site for written instructions on how to create an account and start with eTutoring:
http://www.mcc.commnet.edu/students/resources/pdf/eTutoring.pdf
Hand these instructions out to your students at MCC!

New Camtasia Sections!

By popular demand, TWO Camtasia sections have been added to the ETDL calendar! Space is extremely limited, so register in the Course Cart ASAP.

• "Camtasia Studio: Creating Your First Multimedia Tutorial" Friday 4/17/2009 1--4 P.M.
• "Camtasia Studio: Adding Interest and Interactivity to Your Multimedia Tutorial" Friday 4/24/2009 1--4 P.M.

Want to learn how to create a wiki?

Our Wiki Workshop held last week was a success! Are you interested in learning how to create and maintain a wiki for your office, classroom or for personal reasons? Then visit our wiki workshop wiki to follow along with the workshop lessons.
You can also use this when you train others to use the wiki you create! As always, let us in the Sandbox know if you would like more training or have questions.

MCC Sandbox

Come visit us in the Sandbox--B130! We have computers, scanners, printers, books, & hands-on help with your Blackboard Vista section. We also hold regular workshops--visit our website to view the current schedule

ETDL Upcoming Workshops

Welcome to the ETDL Newsletter Blog! I hope to bring you useful information regarding technology training, news & events. We have some exciting workshops being held during the remaining Spring 2009 semester listed below:

• "Use Grade Book & Grading Forms in Blackboard Vista" Friday 3/20/2009 from 10--Noon
• "Camtasia Studio: Working Lab" Friday 3/20/2009 from 1--4 P.M.
• "Introduction to the Tablet PC" Wednesday 4/1/2009 from 3--4:30 P.M.
• "Create & Manage Assessments in Blackboard Vista" Friday 4/3/2009 from 10--Noon
• "Use Grade Book & Grading Forms in Blackboard Vista" Friday 4/3/2009 1--3 P.M.
• "Design Group Activities & Assignments In Blackboard Vista" Friday 4/3/2009 3:30--5:30 P.M.
• "Camtasia Studio: Creating Your First Multimedia Tutorial" Friday 4/17/2009 1--4 P.M.
• "Camtasia Studio: Adding Interest and Interactivity to Your Multimedia Tutorial" Friday 4/24/2009 1--4 P.M.