UCit Technology Update Early Summer Institute, 2008

1. 0 UCit Technology UpdateEarly Summer Institute, 2008 Mike Lieberman Dean, Instructional & Research Computing

2. UCit 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

3. Instructional 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)

4. Academic 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

5. Second Life as 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

6. 0 What is a Podcast? Distribution of audio files via the internet using RSS or Atomsyndicationfor 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.

7. 0 How Podcasts Were Used Lectures recorded in-class for students to review. • Lectures pre-recorded, students were expected to listen before class and be prepared for discussion. • 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

8. 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”

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

10. 0 FTRC Services Blackboard 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 Respondus Scan to PDF Scan using OCR software Slide 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

11. 0 New 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

12. Bb Courses with Content

13. Bb Instructor Adoption Rates

14. 0 Blackboard News Upgrade 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 clients Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Marion Technical Institute, Edison Community College, Capital University, Columbus State Community College, Ohio Wesleyan, Denison, Mount Vernon Nazarene, and Cincinnati State College.

15. 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

16. 0 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

17. 0 Other Tech Services Mediasite Capture classroom events; post to Blackboard; Vodcasts Elluminate On-line conference room; 50 concurrent users; available to all faculty; now available from Blackboard Portable videoconferencing, from classrooms or offices iTunesU

18. 0 Challenges 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