UCit Technology UpdateUCit Technology UpdateEarly Summer Institute, 2008Early Summer Institute, 2008

Mike Lieberman

Dean, Instructional & Research Computing

UCit Upper Level OrganizationUCit Upper Level Organization

• Fred Siff, CIO and VP• Mark Young, Director, Operations (data center) • Pat Krekeler, Director, Core Systems (SAP,

UniverSYS)• Mark Faulkner, Associate VP, Network and

Telecommunications• Mike Lieberman, Dean, Instructional and Research

Computing (Academic computing)• Kevin McLaughlin, Director, Information Security• Melissa Berling, Director, Business office

Instructional and Research ComputingInstructional and Research Computing

• Technologies (Don Rainwater)• Electronic classroom support services (Jay

Bunthof and Leslie Schick)• Exam grading (Jane Combs)

• Instructional Services (Paul Foster)• Presentation technology services group (Kent

Meloy)• Instructional Design (to be hired; includes

COM-centered Instructional Technology Center)

• COM Technology support (Greg Fish and Josette Riep)

Academic TechnologiesAcademic Technologies• West campus computer labs

• 7 labs, approximately 228 seats• One 24 hour lab (100 seats): UCit@Langsam• Common logon, software, link to UCFileSpace

• UCFileSpace (1 GB per account; group storage available)

• Blogs• Podcasting storage for Blackboard• Quicktime and Flash streaming servers• Departmental storage solutions • Wikiss• Homepages

• Electronic Classroom Support Services• Exam Grading• PRS support• Second Life and Podcasting Support

Second Life as a teaching venueas a teaching venue

UCit is working with a learning community looking at using Second Life for distance learning

Grants have been obtained to allow this work to continue

UC has been asked to host Islands for various schools; a business model is being developed

Classes are available to learn this tool

Chris Collins moderates a listserv for the Ohio Learning Network concerning the use of Second Life in Educational Activities

What is a Podcast?What is a Podcast?

• Distribution of audio files via the internet using RSS or Atom syndication for listening on mobile devices or personal computers.

• The subscription feed is what distinguishes a podcast from simple download or streaming of audio files.

• Usually podcasts feature a type of “show” that has periodic installments (weekly, monthly, etc.)

• What you want to hear, when you want, where you want, how you want.

How Podcasts Were UsedHow Podcasts Were Used

• Lectures recorded in-class for students to review.

• Student presentations recorded; subsequent feedback given on Blackboard Discussion Boards. • Foreign language recordings created to

increase student comprehension (German).

• Audio synched to PowerPoint in some cases.•Will see examples when we go to Bb

• Lectures pre-recorded, students were expected to listen before class and be prepared for discussion.

How were podcasts rated by Medical students?How were podcasts rated by Medical students?

• 50% indicated they were “extremely valuable”, with 25% picking “very valuable”: 4.25/5.00 on scale

• “I really liked having the audio files available. I was able to pause and listen again to concepts I did not understand as well the first time. Plus it further reinforced the material I was reading in the syllabus”

Instructional ServicesInstructional Services

• Presentation Technologies and Services Group• Digital Video and streaming services• UCVision• Videoconferencing• Documentary productions• University video project

FTRC ServicesBlackboard support

(8 am to midnight Monday to Friday; 2 to 6 pm Saturday, Noon to 10 pm Sunday)

Scanning services (teaching service)Convert printed exams to Blackboard format using RespondusScan to PDFScan using OCR softwareSlide scanning

Video transfer (teaching service)VHS, DVD or DV to Blackboard or the streaming server

Classes offered in conjunction with the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning

New FTRC ServiceNew FTRC Service

Blackboard basic course building (drop-off)

Upload course material to the Bb course

Convert exams to web format

Digitize video clips (up to 10 minutes total)

Create course banner

Populate staff information

Publish syllabus to Learning Opportunities

Customize buttons

Bb Courses with ContentBb Courses with Content

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1229

1801

26372937

3468

39214241

0

500

1000

1500

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4000

4500

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Bb Instructor Adoption RatesBb Instructor Adoption Rates

0.84%

23.34%

33.30%

44.89%

51.24%

58.30%

66.15%70.60%

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

00A 01A 02A 03A 04A 05A 06A 07A

Blackboard NewsBlackboard NewsUpgrade to version 8.0 will occur this weekend

(minor upgrade; biggest change is the Grade Center)

E-portfolios still in flux (part of the content system; perhaps moving to outcomes system?)

Currently hosting Blackboard for 9 clientsArchdiocese of Cincinnati, Marion Technical Institute, Edison Community College, Capital University, Columbus State Community College, Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, Mount Vernon Nazarene, and Cincinnati State College.

How has UC enhanced Bb?How has UC enhanced Bb?

• Class rosters with photos• Submit quarter grades to Registrar via Blackboard• PRS registrations linked to Blackboard gradebook• ClearTxt mobile messaging plug-in• Online documentation and best practices guides• Scantron integration with Bb gradebook• Publish syllabus and Course preview to

Learning Opportunities• Podcasting building block within Blackboard• Elluminate building block – schedule our own

meetings

Instructional Design• What is Instructional Design and how can we help you?

• Face-to-face classes• Blended classes• Completely Online classes

• The Instructional Design Process• Help to identify specific instructional needs of problems• Design solutions• Develop instructional resources• Assist in implementing these resources• Evaluate effectiveness and efficiency

• Works closely with CET&L• Consultation on grant opportunities• 12-seat lab for group and individual instruction• Instructional Technology Center at COM

Other Tech ServicesOther Tech Services

MediasiteCapture classroom events; post to Blackboard; Vodcasts

ElluminateOn-line conference room; 50 concurrent users; available to all faculty; now available from Blackboard

Portable videoconferencing, from classrooms or offices

iTunesU

ChallengesChallenges

Maintain momentum in an era of shrinking resources

Keeping up with the distance learning initiatives

Maintaining a high level of support to our users

Providing users with the tools that they need to succeed