VoiceThread / Blackboard Tool Connection Updated VoiceThread update changes how VoiceThread is added to Bb
Do you use VoiceThread assignments or links in Blackboard? At the end of July, VoiceThread went through an LTI upgrade to improve functionality between VoiceThread and Blackboard. The new integration supports automatic copying of VoiceThread assignments and content from a template course, improved roster synchronization, and greater security. As a result of the upgrade, the steps to add VoiceThread to Blackboard courses have changed slightly.

Visit this updated VoiceThread FAQ for details on the new process or attend VoiceThread Essentials on August 24th.

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:



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A whiteboard is an important pedagogical tool to support handwritten expression and annotation, especially in a virtual classroom. Over the last year, Blackboard has been redesigning the whiteboard tool for Collaborate to provide more comprehensive tools and functionality. These new whiteboard tools are expected in time for FA2021 courses.

New Collab whiteboard tools

When files or a blank whiteboard are shared in Collaborate, instructors can use annotation tools to edit and mark up the document during the live session. The enhanced functionality includes:
  • Draw freehand on the page with various colors, thickness, and opacity. Select the eraser to remove annotations. You can erase parts of a freehand drawing with the eraser or select the Delete icon to delete the whole drawing.
  • Add text directly on the page. You can move, edit, and change the text and select the font, size, alignment, and color of the text.
  • Draw shapes including Line, Arrow, Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Polyline. Each shape has its own settings to change the color, width, opacity, and more.
  • Highlight text on a shared file. You can also strikethrough, underline, squiggle, or comment on the highlighted section. Note: The highlighter is not available on the whiteboard.
In addition to annotation persistence, which allows you to retain markups on a whiteboard even after closing the whiteboard, the new tool will support moving the whiteboard or shared file on the page as well as zooming and adjusting the view to automatically fit the width. Group annotations on a whiteboard will also be saved. Even a multi-page whiteboard is possible!

Please review the updated FAQ for more information about the new whiteboard tools or RSVP for the What's New in Collab for Teaching & Learning webinar on August 16.

View this 6:42 minute overview of the new whiteboard tools.

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
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Today's talk is The difference between being "not racist" and antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. There is no such thing as being "not racist," says author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. In this vital conversation, he defines the transformative concept of antiracism to help us more clearly recognize, take responsibility for and reject prejudices in our public policies, workplaces and personal beliefs. Learn how you can actively use this awareness to uproot injustice and inequality in the world -- and replace it with love. (This virtual interview, hosted by TED's current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers and speaker development curator Cloe Shasha, was recorded June 9, 2020.)


After you watch, we invite you to reflect on the following:
  • What resonated for you in the video?
  • What lived experiences do you have, either personally or professionally that align with the core message of the talk?
  •  As you think of your role as a student, employee, or manager what feels relevant and useful to remember?
  • What are you taking away that feels meaningful - either a new perspective, a potential action, etc.
  • How might we take better care of ourselves and each other during this time?
If you're a supervisor, consider using this talk for team building purposes! You might send the video ahead of your meeting with several reflection questions on which you'd like your staff to come prepared to speak.
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New Ultra gradebook filters

Progress tracking is a brand new enhancement to Ultra courses, allowing students to manually mark and track their progress. This feature is especially helpful when learning modules are used in Ultra courses, providing students with both visual cues to identify where they are in their consumption and manual task to mark complete for course activities. As this is the first phase of progress tracking, this feature can only be enabled if the course has no activity. Please review the FAQ to enable this setting.

The achievements tool in Original courses allows instructors to designate criteria for issuing rewards to students in the form of both badges. The new Badgr integration for Ultra and Original courses replaces the achievements tool and provides a platform for faculty to reward and motivate students for project completion, skill proficiency, experience levels, and more. Watch for updates about an upcoming webinar later in August to learn more about this exiting new tool.

Other new features coming to Ultra include a redesigned navigation menu. The top menu has featured icons since Ultra launched several years ago, and lacked any contextual information. The new menu will be completely text based and relocated to the left side of the page, where it is more responsive for mobile access. Moreover, this location is sticky -- that is, the menu remains at the top even if you scroll down the page, allowing you to easily change your tool and page view. The Student Preview tool will also change its location to the top right corner, which is more consistent with Original courses.

Example of new Ultra navigation bar

The next update to our test environment will take place on August 10, 2021. Faculty who are interested in test driving new features before they are released to production should open an RT ticket to request early access. Please watch the FAQs and myUMBC for additional information about Ultra or join our What's New in Ultra Courses for Teaching & Learning webinar on August 18.

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:

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Today's talk is Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business by Christine Porath. Looking to get ahead in your career? Start by being respectful to your coworkers, says leadership researcher Christine Porath. In this science-backed talk, she shares surprising insights about the costs of rudeness and shows how little acts of respect can boost your professional success -- and your company's bottom line.

After you watch, we invite you to reflect on the following:
  • What resonated for you in the video?
  • What lived experiences do you have, either personally or professionally that align with the core message of the talk?
  •  As you think of your role as a student, employee, or manager what feels relevant and useful to remember?
  • What are you taking away that feels meaningful - either a new perspective, a potential action, etc.
  • How might we take better care of ourselves and each other during this time?
If you're a supervisor, consider using this talk for team building purposes! You might send the video ahead of your meeting with several reflection questions on which you'd like your staff to come prepared to speak.
]]> Looking for a dose of inspiration to start your week? No need to look any further. Each week, we curate talks on topics that matter NOW for all of us related to resilience, self-care, dealing with... https://hr.umbc.edu/wp-learning-and-wellness/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/111255/guest@my.umbc.edu/290e76c27d001c72dc756450fdf420a4/api/pixel Training https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/training https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/original.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/large.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/medium.png?1281010946 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/small.png?1281010946 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxsmall.png?1281010946 UMBC Workplace Learning, OD & Wellness https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/xxlarge.jpg?1627299992 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/xlarge.jpg?1627299992 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/large.jpg?1627299992 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/medium.jpg?1627299992 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/small.jpg?1627299992 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/xsmall.jpg?1627299992 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/255/b44061ce9e4a9443a3617b995864ec69/xxsmall.jpg?1627299992 0 0 true Mon, 26 Jul 2021 07:46:39 -0400 Five Faculty Receive UMBC Learning Analytics Mini Grants $2k professional development awards renewable annually

To encourage, identify, and exchange effective practice in the use of data to inform teaching and learning, the Provost’s Office has awarded UMBC’s first learning analytics mini grants to five faculty (their proposed topics are included below):

Raji Baradwaj and Brian Dean (MATH): “Analysis of Student Homework Performance and Final Exam Performance – What is the nature of any correlation?”

Tara Carpenter (CHEM): “Modeling Effective Learning Strategies in Introductory Chemistry”

Karen Chen (IS): “Bumpy Journey: Exploring Gateway Courses Failures and Major Switch - a Case Study with Information Systems Majors.”

Nandita Dasgupta (ECON/MATH): “Statistics as a Prerequisite for Introductory Econometrics: Options and Outcomes”

The one-year professional development awards are renewable annually, pending receipt of a final report, paper submitted for publication or conference presentation. In addition to use of UMBC’s Report Exchange (REX) data warehouse, and a Tableau “viewer” license, the faculty will be able to consult with staff from Analytics and Business Intelligence, Instructional Technology and Institutional Research and Decision support (IRADS). 

Note: After Covid interrupted plans for 2019-20 academic year, the Learning Analytics Community of Practice was re-launched this past spring, including a talk about student grade surprise by Indiana University’s Jennifer Meta Robinson and the inaugural LA mini grants call for proposals. More information about this year’s workshops, speakers and another learning analytics mini-grant call for proposals will be announced shortly.
 ]]> To encourage, identify, and exchange effective practice in the use of data to inform teaching and learning, the Provost’s Office has awarded UMBC’s first learning analytics mini grants to five... https://doit.umbc.edu/analytics/community/ Image https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/attachments/93e6b65ae599552a402a5612c69fb4a6/69e90498/news/000/111/234/1ee5f18eb215ca737d06df22dd67f77b/SP21_LA_minigrant_faculty.png?1626980995 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/111234/guest@my.umbc.edu/dc464cb28cf4b2ba726f5f6e3d3bcfd3/api/pixel analytics fritz la-fellows 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 4 0 true Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:15:52 -0400 Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:30:19 -0500 Motivational Monday TEDx of the Week "The unforeseen consequences of a fast-paced world.” Looking for a dose of inspiration to start your week? No need to look any further. Each week, we curate talks on topics that matter NOW for all of us related to resilience, self-care, dealing with uncertain times, as well as ways to stay connected, inspired, and grounded when the earth beneath us is shifting.

Today's talk is The unforeseen consequences of a fast-paced world by Kathryn Bouskill. Why does modern technology promise efficiency, but leave us constantly feeling pressed for time? Anthropologist Kathryn Bouskill explores the paradoxes of living in a fast-paced society and explains why we need to reconsider the importance of slowing down in a world that demands go, go, go.

After you watch, we invite you to reflect on the following:
  • What resonated for you in the video?
  • What lived experiences do you have, either personally or professionally that align with the core message of the talk?
  •  As you think of your role as a student, employee, or manager what feels relevant and useful to remember?
  • What are you taking away that feels meaningful - either a new perspective, a potential action, etc.
  • How might we take better care of ourselves and each other during this time?
If you're a supervisor, consider using this talk for team building purposes! You might send the video ahead of your meeting with several reflection questions on which you'd like your staff to come prepared to speak.
]]> Looking for a dose of inspiration to start your week? No need to look any further. Each week, we curate talks on topics that matter NOW for all of us related to resilience, self-care, dealing with... https://hr.umbc.edu/wp-learning-and-wellness/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/111101/guest@my.umbc.edu/c8461c51d591f6666ca8eb537b517129/api/pixel Training https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/training https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/original.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/large.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/medium.png?1281010946 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/small.png?1281010946 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxsmall.png?1281010946 UMBC Workplace Learning, OD & Wellness https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/xxlarge.jpg?1626721188 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/xlarge.jpg?1626721188 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/large.jpg?1626721188 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/medium.jpg?1626721188 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/small.jpg?1626721188 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/xsmall.jpg?1626721188 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/111/101/7c76a8b18ba9054c508c75283e634040/xxsmall.jpg?1626721188 0 0 true Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:00:00 -0400 UMBC to pilot Collaborate automated transcription recording Pilot will take place during summer session through 9/15
Update @ 10/1: The pilot has concluded.

In partnership with Blackboard, UMBC will pilot a recording transcription feature in the Collaborate web conferencing platform this summer. This feature will be available from July 15 - September 15, 2021. 

Captions improve the accessibility of content for individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired. However, captions with videos offer opportunities for students to access the information in ways they need or want it. 
  • Anyone working in a noisy environment can read captions.
  • Non-native speakers can read captions to reinforce their understanding.
  • Students learning to read can follow along with the speaker.
  • Students can see the spelling of terms that will be on a test.
In Collaborate, the recording transcription feature is triggered by the instructor through the recording settings page for the session. Please review this FAQ for step by step instructions.

Collaborate leverages AI powered speech to text recognition to generate a transcription of what is said during the session. After the captions are created, captions are available from the recording list. The captions also immediately appear in the recording player for anybody having access to the recording. As with Panopto, if you want to improve or correct anything in the captions, you can download the caption file to edit and replace it.

During the pilot, Blackboard would like to gather feedback from faculty who use the feature. Surveys will be distributed to faculty who use Collaborate recordings during the pilot. Please share your thoughts as this feedback is important to improving the feature for all future users. 

As always, if you have any questions about teaching, learning, and technology at UMBC, please consider the following options:
]]> Update @ 10/1: The pilot has concluded. In partnership with Blackboard, UMBC will pilot a recording transcription feature in the Collaborate web conferencing platform this summer. This feature... https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/102527 https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/102527/guest@my.umbc.edu/8f00f1023526969e98ed82864317e0f6/api/pixel accessibility collaborate gallery-view online-learning pilot 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://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/xxlarge.jpg?1625862626 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/xlarge.jpg?1625862626 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/large.jpg?1625862626 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/medium.jpg?1625862626 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/small.jpg?1625862626 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/xsmall.jpg?1625862626 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/527/d335be4d76a99de9aee977ab108794ea/xxsmall.jpg?1625862626 3 0 true Mon, 12 Jul 2021 08:09:26 -0400 Tue, 12 Oct 2021 16:51:05 -0400 Motivational Monday TEDx of the Week "10 ways to have a better conversation.” Looking for a dose of inspiration to start your week? No need to look any further. Each week, we curate talks on topics that matter NOW for all of us related to resilience, self-care, dealing with uncertain times, as well as ways to stay connected, inspired, and grounded when the earth beneath us is shifting.

Today's talk is 10 ways to have a better conversation by Celeste Headlee. When your job hinges on how well you talk to people, you learn a lot about how to have conversations -- and that most of us don't converse very well. Celeste Headlee has worked as a radio host for decades, and she knows the ingredients of a great conversation: Honesty, brevity, clarity and a healthy amount of listening. In this insightful talk, she shares 10 useful rules for having better conversations. "Go out, talk to people, listen to people," she says. "And, most importantly, be prepared to be amazed."

After you watch, we invite you to reflect on the following:
  • What resonated for you in the video?
  • What lived experiences do you have, either personally or professionally that align with the core message of the talk?
  •  As you think of your role as a student, employee, or manager what feels relevant and useful to remember?
  • What are you taking away that feels meaningful - either a new perspective, a potential action, etc.
  • How might we take better care of ourselves and each other during this time?
If you're a supervisor, consider using this talk for team building purposes! You might send the video ahead of your meeting with several reflection questions on which you'd like your staff to come prepared to speak.
]]> Looking for a dose of inspiration to start your week? No need to look any further. Each week, we curate talks on topics that matter NOW for all of us related to resilience, self-care, dealing with... https://hr.umbc.edu/wp-learning-and-wellness/ https://beta.my.umbc.edu/api/v0/pixel/news/102534/guest@my.umbc.edu/a07abf2ec7c9e8db59959b1a144f2b8b/api/pixel Training https://beta.my.umbc.edu/groups/training https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/original.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xlarge.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/large.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/medium.png?1281010946 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/small.png?1281010946 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xsmall.png?1281010946 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/avatars/groups/000/000/019/bdb106a0560c4e46ccc488ef010af787/xxsmall.png?1281010946 UMBC Workplace Learning, OD & Wellness https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/xxlarge.jpg?1626089261 https://assets4-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/xlarge.jpg?1626089261 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/large.jpg?1626089261 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/medium.jpg?1626089261 https://assets2-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/small.jpg?1626089261 https://assets3-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/xsmall.jpg?1626089261 https://assets1-beta.my.umbc.edu/system/shared/thumbnails/news/000/102/534/0cfbe32b3d427b75091106e30193b577/xxsmall.jpg?1626089261 0 0 true Mon, 12 Jul 2021 07:27:48 -0400 Akindi Bubble Sheet Training Learn more about the Scantron replacement
Are you ready for the move? At the end of the Spring 2021 semester, DoIT announced that test scoring services were moving to Akindi, a Scantron alternative. During this transition, we will be offering faculty many opportunities to learn more about implementing Akindi bubble sheets when delivering face-to-face, multiple choice assessments. 

This training is recommended for all faculty that plan on deploying paper-based assessments in their courses. 

Training will be offered on:
Note: Faculty only need to attend one of the above sessions; the sessions are repetitive. 

Agenda:

By the end of this session, faculty should be able to:
  • Create an Akindi assessment in their Blackboard course shell
  • Add an answer key to an assessment
  • Generate, download, and print PDF Akindi bubble sheets for distribution. 
  • Upload completed bubble sheets into an Akindi assessment 
  • Mitigate errors and flags from assessments that may need manual review (e.g., bubbling two responses, missing ID).
  • Locate the scores of Akindi assessments in Blackboard
  • Review bubble sheet analytics 
  • Return the scanned, electronic bubble sheet to students
Attending

To RSVP for the event, please click “Going” on the corresponding myUMBC event (linked above) and be sure to add the event to your calendar!

Next Steps

Instructors that wish to continue using Scantrons for their bubble sheet assessments will still be able to do so during this transition throughout Fall 2021. 

Follow our Instructional Technology myUMBC group to stay up-to-date when training dates will be announced. Until then, instructors can:


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