Starting this summer, the campus will transition from TurningPoint 5 to TurningPoint Cloud as our new clicker software. During this time, all Division of Information Technology controlled labs and lecture hall computers will be updated with the latest software. Turning Technologies, our current clicker vendor, announced in early 2015 that the TurningPoint 5 software would no longer be supported as of June 2016.

The Instructional Technology Team conducted a comparative analysis of clicker options available for the campus, and deployed a survey to the campus community last fall. In November, the results were shared at a Faculty Town Hall. Based on the feedback from both students and faculty, DoIT and the Instructional Technology team decided it was best to stay with our current clicker vendor, and migrate the campus to TurningPoint Cloud.

By the start of Summer Session I, Blackboard will also be updated with a new integration, which will allow students to create Turning Accounts and register their clicker information within the Learning Management System (LMS). This new integration requires that students have a license code in order to register their clicker information on Blackboard. Students who purchased a clicker prior to Summer 2016 will receive an email containing a license code. Students who have not yet purchased clickers will be able to choose from one of these bundle options in the UMBC Bookstore.  

Faculty will also need to sign up for Turning Accounts in order to gain access to the TurningPoint Cloud download. To check system requirements for TurningPoint Cloud please view the PC or Mac release notes. If you have questions or concerns regarding the software download, please submit an RT ticket.

Drop-in Clicker Help Sessions have been scheduled for:
Tuesday, April 19-1:00 PM-1:30 PM
Wednesday, May 4-12:00 PM-12:30PM
Wednesday, May 18-12:00 PM-12:30 PM
All sessions will be held in ENG 025.

Faculty who plan to use clickers for instruction during the ​​Fall 2016 semester will need to have device order(s) submitted to the Bookstore no later than Friday, March 25, 2016. This deadline allows the Bookstore to shop national wholesalers early for used books and items, prepare for buyback, avoid sending back to publishers leftover stock that will be reused next semester, and notify faculty of any availability problems. "University policy dictates that summer and fall 2016 textbook adoptions should by submitted by April 24 to permit compliance with the USM Board of Regents policy".

There are three options for submitting your request(s):

1. Online System

2. Email

3. Paper Form

Please refer to the Bookstore's site for more information and instructions applicable to each these options.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UMBC bookstore at textbook@umbc.edu or 410-455-2699.

To learn more about the clickers:

• visit our  Clicker FAQ page

• open an  RT Ticket  for any technical issues

• view the schedule of training workshops on the DoIT group page

• contact  the Instructional Technology Team with any questions or concerns

On Wednesday, March 9, from 11:30am - 1:30pm, DoIT’s Instructional Technology team sponsored Techfest in the University Center (rooms UC 310, UC 312, and the UC Lounge) to bring the campus community together and present ways that technology can both support and improve the efficiency of day-to-day activities.

Students, faculty, and staff were all welcome and encouraged to attend. The event was a huge success, and we'd like to thank everyone who participated. 

We'd especially like to thank all of the vendors who both donated raffle items and attended the event.  All raffle winners have been contacted; congratulations to those of you who won items ranging from $20 Starbucks gift cards to headphones and webcams.

We can't thank all of our workshop presenters enough; their willingness to share their knowledge with our community is greatly appreciated. Our workshop presenters were as follows:

Caroline Bodnar, Career Center

Brad Boyle, DoIT

Lin DasSarma, DoIT Student Worker

Emily Duan, DoIT Student Worker

Mariann Hawken, DoIT

Kate Phelps, Career Center

Ken Schreihofer, Student Affairs

Jack Suess, UMBC CIO

Collin Sullivan, DoIT Student Worker

Finally, we want to thank the student worker on our Instructional Technology team, Collin Sullivan, for spearheading the planning and implementation of TechFest, and we look forward to bringing you another TechFest event in the future!

On Wednesday, March 9, from 11:30am - 1:30pm, DoIT's Instructional Technology team is sponsoring Techfest in the University Center (rooms UC 310, UC 312, and the UC Lounge) to bring the campus community together and present ways that technology can both support and improve the efficiency of day-to-day activities.

STUDENTS, FACULTY, and STAFF are all welcome and encouraged to attend.

Registration is required for this event. Please register here.

After attending your workshop, be sure to complete a feedback form to be entered to win Starbucks gift cards, Webcams, iPad cases, and more!  

Registration will close on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 5pm. Register now!

Registration is closed for workshops already filled to capacity. If you have any questions about the registration process, contact Collin Sullivan.

Workshop descriptions have been provided below:

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

LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Blackboard Tips & Tricks (UC 310): 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.

CLOSED - Where’s my iCloud? (UC 312): 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):

CLOSED - Collaborating with Google Docs (UC 310): 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 (UC Lounge) (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.

LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Upgrade Your Notes with OneNote (UC 312): 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(UC 310) *Same as Session 2, see description above*

LIMITED AVAILABILITY - Making the Most of Your LinkedIn (UC Lounge) (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 (UC 312): 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 (UC 310): 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 (UC 312): 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 (UC Lounge): 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.

We hope to see you there - don’t forget to register!

Lesser Known Blackboard Tips & Tricks