Techfest Registration Now Open! Register today to learn more about your favorite tech tools
Register Here!

The Instructional Technology Team is pleased to announce that registration for Techfest is now open. To register, please complete this Google Form. Registration will close on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 5pm.

Register soon! Seats are limited in each workshop - and when the workshop is full, you will not be able to register for that session.


TechFest will be held on Wednesday, March 9th from 11:30pm-1:30pm in the University Center on the 3rd floor. 

Each session is 25 minutes long followed by a short 5 minute break. Attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 sessions at Techfest. At the end of each workshop, complete a feedback form to be entered in a drawing to win tech prizes.

Session times and descriptions are provided below. Don’t forget to register!


Session 1 Workshops (11:35 - 12:00):

Blackboard Tips & Tricks: Blackboard is the current learning management system used at UMBC. Your professors may use it to supplement or replace the traditional classroom experience. Come learn a few tips & tricks for getting access, taking tests, receiving notifications about content & communication updates, and using the new Bb Student mobile app.


LIMITED AVAILABILITY-Where’s my iCloud?: iCloud keeps popping up on my phone! What is this? Where is it? Why do I need it? Discover the essential basics of iCloud, like Find my iPhone, and how to use other features like Shared Photos, iWork for iCloud, and more.


Session 2 Workshops (12:05 - 12:30):

LIMITED AVAILABILITY-Collaborating with Google Docs: Are you working on a team project or presentation? With everyone’s busy schedules, how can we all meet up together to get this assignment done? Learn how to use Google Docs to work with your group without physically meeting!


LIMITED AVAILABILITY-LinkedIn 101 (from the Career Center): What is LinkedIn? Why should you use this tool to make connections and build your brand? Come to this session to learn the basics of LinkedIn including how to create an “All-Star” profile and the do’s and don’ts of LinkedIn connection etiquette.


Upgrade Your Notes with OneNote: Taking notes with paper and pen? There has to be a better way in the 21st century! Learn how to improve your journals with OneNote and how to stay on top of your class notes.


Session 3 Workshops (12:35 - 1:00):

Collaborating with Google Docs *Same as Session 2, see description above*


LIMITED AVAILABILITY-Making the Most of Your LinkedIn (from the Career Center): Go beyond the basics of LinkedIn. Learn how to take full advantage of this tool to network like a pro, increase your visibility, and make LinkedIn a part of your job search strategy!


CLOSED-Managing Your Gmail Tips & Tricks: Are too many emails flooding your inbox? Want to change its layout? And what are these Google Gadgets? Learn how to make the most of your email and become a Gmail Guru from the Chief Information Officer here at UMBC, Jack Suess!


Session 4 Workshops (1:05 - 1:30):

CLOSED-7 Secrets of Effective Calendaring: Google Calendar is such a simple, yet critical app for managing our day to day activities. Is there more below the surface than just your list of meetings? Come learn about hidden or unknown benefits of this simple and powerful tool. The intended outcome from this presentation is that participants are able to gain more insight and effective skill in their use of Google Calendar.


LIMITED AVAILABILITY-Maximizing Your Storage with Box: Want unlimited computer storage? Want to be able to access it anywhere, any time?  Box Cloud Storage is your answer for storing files and collaborating on projects with your peers quickly and effectively.


Updates Coming to Clickers: Learn about the changes coming to Clickers here at UMBC from our UMBC Turning Technologies Intern. Registration is not required to attend this information session.


Register Here!


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Monday, February 15, 12 PM-1 PM-Grading and the Bb Grade Center 

Monday, February 22, 12 PM-1 PM- Quality Matters in Course Design 

Questions? Please email the Instructional Technology Team at instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu. 
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Techfest, scheduled for March 9th from 11:30 - 1:30 in the University Center (rooms UC310, UC 312, and the UC Lounge), is an event sponsored by the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) to bring the campus community together and present ways that technology can both support and improve the efficiency of day-to-day activities. We’re very excited to have Jack Suess, UMBC’s Chief Information Officer, present the “Managing Your Gmail Tips & Tricks” workshop at this event. Prize drawings will be held for those that register and attend, and vendor giveaways will be distributed to attendees on a first-come, first-serve basis.


Registration for Techfest will open later this week. Check out some of the sessions will be offered:


Session 1 (11:35 - 12:00pm):

Blackboard Tips & Tricks

Where's my iCloud?


Session 2 (12:05pm - 12:30pm):

Collaborating with Google Docs

Linkedin 101

Upgrade Your Notes with OneNote


Session 3 (12:35pm - 1:00pm):

Collaborating with Google Docs

Making the Most of Your Linkedin

Managing Your Gmail Tips & Tricks


Session 4 (1:05pm - 1:30pm):

7 Secrets of Effective Calendaring

Box

Updates Coming to Clickers: A Townhall Meeting

To register and see information about workshops click HERE!

Questions? Please email Collin Sullivan at csulli1@umbc.edu.

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The winners are: 

1. Grading and the Blackboard Grade Center 
2. Quality Matters (QM) in Course Design

This month we will host two workshops focused on the topics listed above. 

Please complete this Doodle poll and vote for the best date(s) and time(s) for these workshops to be held. Please submit your votes no later than Monday, February 8, 2016.

Event information will be posted by Tuesday, February 9, 2016. 

Questions? Please email us at instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu. 
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The choices are: 

1. Assessing Your Learners in Blackboard 

2. Blackboard Collaborate

3. Getting Up and Running with Blackboard 

4. Grading and the Blackboard Grade Center 

5. Quality Matters (QM) in Course Design 

6. Reusing and Recycling Your Course Content 

7. TechSmith Relay (Screencasting) 

This poll will close on the Sunday, January 31. 

Date and time of the workshop will be determined by a future Doodle poll. 

Questions? Please email us at instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu. 


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Looking to have more say on topics selected for training each month? Starting SP2016, faculty will determine which topic will be featured each month in our monthly workshop series. The first workshop will take place in February.  


Faculty will follow these steps in order to vote for the workshop(s) of their choice:


  1. Participate in the myUMBC poll to vote for up to three topics to be the focus of the next month’s workshop.  

Screen Shot 2016-01-19 at 11.34.34 AM.png


2. Participate in a Doodle poll to determine the date and time the workshop will be held.

Screen Shot 2016-01-19 at 11.39.13 AM.png



3. Watch for updates about the event:

Screen Shot 2016-01-19 at 11.40.15 AM.png


Questions? Contact us at instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu.

For more information about Instructional Technology:

 ]]> Looking to have more say on topics selected for training each month? Starting SP2016, faculty will determine which topic will be featured each month in our monthly workshop series. The first... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/56871/guest@my.umbc.edu/d9f1279f3a2cdac3c5c4426809003d78/api/pixel blackboard training workshops Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/xxlarge.jpg?1452026824 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/xlarge.jpg?1452026824 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/large.jpg?1452026824 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/medium.jpg?1452026824 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/small.jpg?1452026824 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/xsmall.jpg?1452026824 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/871/0a263c34c41dc9435f6e35bc9563c394/xxsmall.jpg?1452026824 4 0 true Wed, 27 Jan 2016 08:41:13 -0500 Wed, 27 Jan 2016 08:44:37 -0500 Plan Ahead for Snow Days with Instructional Technology Tools Winterize courses against Mother Nature’s icy influence

An impending blizzard during the winter season reminds us all of potential disruptions to course delivery due to snow and icy weather. Last year, Dr. Anne Spence successfully used Blackboard Collaborate to replace face-to-face sessions after snow delays canceled several class sessions. Several instructional technology tools are available to support teaching and learning when classes cannot meet. 

Blackboard Learn is UMBC’s learning management system. It is hosted by Blackboard to ensure a stable and reliable environment 24/7. Blackboard offers three core themes to support instruction: content management; communication, collaboration & engagement; and assessment & grade management.

Content Management

  • Upload syllabus, course materials & handouts
  • Post presentations
  • Share links & resources
  • Embed YouTube videos
  • Link to TechSmith Relay screencasts

Communication, Collaboration & Engagement

  • Facilitate & continue course discussions
  • Send email & messages
  • Post announcements
  • Manage small group activities
  • Support blogs, wikis & journals
Assessment & Grade Management
  • Distribute & collect assignments
  • Grade electronically with rubrics & embedded feedback
  • Post grades
  • Maintain digital gradebook
  • Deliver tests & secure with Respondus LockDown Browser 
Bb Collaborate supports live, real-time lectures, presentations, and conversations with a wide range of tools such as 2-way audio; interactive whiteboard and desktop sharing; video feeds; and session recording. Use Collaborate to deliver live lectures or study sessions, host virtual office hours, demonstrate software such as SPSS or Photoshop, host guest speakers, and more. Test-drive the new Chrome-based Collaborate experience.

For more information about Instructional Technology:
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February 14, 2020

Update: As of Spring 2020, TurningPoint 8 is supported by UMBC. Turning Technologies no longer supports the software TurningPoint Cloud. All main lecture halls are up-to-date with the new software. TurningPoint products are not affected by the transition to TurningPoint 8. Clickers and subscriptions are compatible with the new software. Students will not need to purchase another clicker or subscription if it is still active. Rebates are no longer being issued. To learn more about pricing, visit the UMBC TurningPoint Pricing pdf. For more information on what is needed to participate in TurningPoint polls, visit our FAQ.

On Thursday, November 19 a Faculty Town Hall was held to discuss the current status of clicker software and to share survey results. Turning Technologies, our current clicker vendor, announced that they will no longer support our current software starting in June 2016. This announcement prompted DoIT to re-evaluate our current clicker software and conduct a market survey of other response systems available.       

Q: What is happening with clickers at UMBC?

A: Current clicker software will no longer be supported starting in June of 2016. UMBC will have to update from TurningPoint 5 to TurningPoint Cloud before this support period ends, or decide to use another response system.  It is important that our campus stays up-to-date with our software so we offer students and instructors the best classroom experience possible. A comparison chart of current clicker system is publicly available.

Q: What will be the cost to UMBC students?

A:  If we stay with our current vendor, TurningTechnologies, students who currently have a clicker will need to purchase a license for a Turning account after the TurningPoint Cloud upgrade in order to register their clickers for UMBC courses. The cost of this license is $34.99 plus tax; however, the $34.99 will be fully refunded to UMBC students through a mail-in process.

Students who do not have clickers will purchase a clicker bundle in the bookstore. The bundle will come with a physical clicker and a 4- or 5-year subscription to ResponseWare, the mobile version of the clicker. All bundles come with a $15.00 mail-in rebate.

Q: When is this change going to occur?

A: The transition from TurningPoint 5 to TurningPoint Cloud will begin in Summer 2016.  

Q: Where can I provide my feedback about this transition?

A: Please complete this survey and give detailed feedback about this transition.

Q: Where can I view the clicker survey results presented at the Faculty Town Hall?

A:  Survey results presented at the Faculty Town Hall have been shared here.

For more information, please contact Holly Bielak at holly3@umbc.edu. ]]> February 14, 2020 Update: As of Spring 2020, TurningPoint 8 is supported by UMBC. Turning Technologies no longer supports the software TurningPoint Cloud. All main lecture halls are up-to-date... https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/56524/guest@my.umbc.edu/b5979d29ad0194d80399406ad1d497ab/api/pixel clickers turningpoint turningtechnologies Instructional Technology https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/original.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xlarge.png?1446126703 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/large.png?1446126703 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/medium.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/small.png?1446126703 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xsmall.png?1446126703 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/001/164/dec3b026b81ee6d890a8f82f75c94a2e/xxsmall.png?1446126703 Instructional Technology https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/xxlarge.jpg?1449580371 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/xlarge.jpg?1449580371 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/large.jpg?1449580371 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/medium.jpg?1449580371 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/small.jpg?1449580371 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/xsmall.jpg?1449580371 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/056/524/af5715bf46b678a496d182549c4759ff/xxsmall.jpg?1449580371 21 0 true Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:14:22 -0500 Fri, 14 Feb 2020 12:48:13 -0500 Introducing the New Alternate Delivery Program Three Skill Tracks Now Available

The Alternate Delivery Program (ADP) provides financial, technical, and pedagogical support to faculty who agree to redesign an existing face-to-face (F2F) course for online or hybrid (part online, part F2F) delivery in summer or winter session.

The expansion of the ADP includes three tracks: 

I. Skill Builder Track

The Skill Builder track offers modular training in core components of Blackboard and supporting technologies (Bb Collaborate, TechSmith Relay, Box) to help faculty better utilize the features available in Blackboard and to prepare for the Course Designer track.

II. Course Designer Track

This track, which most closely resembles the "old" ADP, is available to faculty who have either completed the ADP Skill Builder track or demonstrated competency with the Skill Builder components. The Course Designer track typically requires at least a semester for course development before the redesigned course is offered in summer or winter session. It includes a one day training workshop and an opportunity to work one-on-one with an Instructional Technology Specialist in the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Faculty who participate in the Course Designer track should have prior experience teaching in summer or winter sessions and convert courses that have a proven enrollment “track record” in Summer or Winter Sessions. 

III. Quality Booster Track

The Quality Booster track is designed for faculty who are already offering hybrid or online courses, but who have either not previously participated in formal course redesign training through the ADP or participated in ADP prior to the Quality Matters (QM) process integration. Quality Matters is an internationally recognized peer review process to assess the design quality of an online or hybrid course. The goal is to carefully evaluate the components of a hybrid or online course to ensure that it meets nationally identified quality standards. We are currently conducting a pilot of this track with 15 faculty.


The Skill Builder workshops will begin in the Spring 2016 Term; sign up for them now on the Instructional Technology Events page. The next Call for Participation for the Course Designer Track will take place in mid-Spring 2016. We will be seeking participants for the next Quality Booster Track after the midpoint of the Spring 2016 term. Participation requirements for each track are provided here.


To learn more about the Alternate Delivery Program and Quality Matters, attend the Quality Matters-Focused Course Design Workshop on January 13, 2016.

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What can I do with VoiceThread?
  • Demonstrate procedures to help students prepare for a practical exam
  • Explain decisions when selecting subjects for a painting’s composition
  • Flip a classroom experience to support multiple learning styles
  • Foster greater community in large, lecture-based classes
  • Interpret linear composition of a painting or note other elements
  • Debate the pros and cons of a controversial issue
  • Practice foreign language skills during role-play
  • Report on field experiences to a national park
  • Critique a classmate’s composition
  • Describe a story about a trip abroad
  • Moderate questions in a topical sequence
Watch Simply Speaking, a short video from Penn State to learn more about the benefits of VoiceThread. [TIP: Pause around 1:28 when the video shifts into Penn State specific content.]

DoIT is sponsoring a limited number of pro accounts for the pilot so faculty can evaluate the effectiveness of VoiceThread for engagement and discussions. We will host a kickoff and introductory session on Wednesday, December 2, 1015 at 2 PM in ENGR 023. Light refreshments will be served.

If you would like to join this pilot, please open an RT ticket with VoiceThread Pilot in the subject line. Include the following information: 
  1. Name
  2. Course information (CourseID, name, section) and expected number of students
  3. Describe how you will use VoiceThread in your course to support student engagement and assessment. How will VoiceThread help solve a problem you are experiencing with discussions as you currently use them?
  4. Identify your training preference (online, in person) or if you prefer to view recordings or FAQs
Terms of VoiceThread pilot
  • The pilot is scheduled to take place from January 18 - May 31, 2016.
  • Our pilot license supports a maximum of 450 students. Therefore, the number of participating courses depends on the number of students enrolled.
  • Faculty who participate in the pilot will receive one pro VoiceThread account linked to a Blackboard user account and course site.
  • Faculty participants will need to provide feedback to DoIT and the UMBC campus community about their experiences.
  • Feedback may be provided via survey response, panel discussion, focus group, interview, etc.
  • VoiceThread system analytics will be reviewed monthly to measure the frequency of use
For more information about VoiceThread:
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