What is SafeAssign?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
SafeAssign is one of the features in our current version of Blackboard that has never been turned on or used at Calvin. It is a tool that will allow papers submitted via KnightVision (using the Assignment tool) to be cross-referenced against the Internet, ProQuest ABI/Inform databases, Institutional documentation, and an optional Global Reference Database.
For more information on how the tool works visit: http://www.safeassign.com/.
Kathy Groenendyk is currently working with EPC on a recommendation for Faculty Senate. At this time, it looks like Calvin will proceed with a small pilot group this spring to explore the pedagogical, legal, and technical implications of this software. If you are interested in participating, please contact Rob Bobeldyk.
Posted in: Academic Software
Do you ever find yourself wondering…“When?”
Monday, November 24, 2008
Well…it’s that time again! Time to start thinking about your technology needs for your Interim and Spring courses. To make this a bit easier on you, we are providing you with a yearly Faculty Technology Checklist. This month-by-month checklist includes links to resources and web pages for listed items, and answers many frequently asked questions. When…
- are my software requests are due?
- and how do I make my KnightVision course(s) available my students?
- and how do I make a copy of my course before it is removed at the end of the semester?
- are my KnightVision courses removed?
- do I have to tell someone I want to use the clickers next semester?
- do I add a TA or grader to my course?
Find answers to all these questions and many more!
Posted in: Technology Tips
Announcing the Teaching & Learning with Technology Showcase!
Monday, November 17, 2008
The 4th Annual Teaching & Learning with Technology Showcase is on Wednesday, April 1st of 2009!
We are always looking for people to showcase how they are embedding technology—in big and small ways—into their pedagogical practices. If you are interested in participating in this year’s showcase, please contact Krista Spahr at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
[showcase] [Teaching & Learning with Technology]
Posted in: Announcements
Online Learning Modules from T&L
Monday, November 17, 2008
CIT’s Teaching & Learning team has many resources available for the Calvin community. One big focus of ours is KnightVision, our online course management system. To help you learn and make better use of KnightVision, we’ve created a page on our website collecting many different KnightVision-related resources. These include printable quick-guides as well as interactive learning modules which walk you through many different features of KnightVision.
In addition to our in-house resources, we have also collected links to learning modules created by Blackboard to give you an even broader array of learning options. It’s all available online from the Teaching & Learning website.
Posted in: Technology Tips
Introduction to RSS
Monday, November 17, 2008
by Travis LaFleur
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. It provides an easy way to get updates from your favorite sites on your terms and at your schedule.
You’ve probably seen those links that promise to “Send me an email when there is an update to this web page (or when this web page changes).” This feature is handy, but it also comes with drawbacks. Unless you are vigilantly checking your email, your in-box can become quite cluttered and unruly—filled to the brim with email updates—which you will have to sort through manually (a time consuming proposition) or, perhaps more common, simply just delete them.
RSS, however, solves many of these problems. RSS is a bit like the 21st Century version of those email links. RSS saves you time by automatically categorizing updates you receive and presenting them in a way that’s relevant to you—all while saving your inbox from unnecessary clutter.
To give you a better idea of how RSS works, here’s a RSS video from a group called Common Craft (one of our favorite sites) that explains RSS in plain English:
You can subscribe to RSS feeds using web-based software (like Google Reader), a standalone desktop programs (such as FeedDemon), or just your browser. If you want to give RSS a try without a spending a lot of time up front, your best bet is to use your browser.
Posted in: Announcements: Technology Tips
