February 10, 2009
Bb Vista Summer 2009 Courses Available
Beginning on January 26th, Summer 2009 courses have begun to be issued in Blackboard Vista 4. Course sections are currently built out 15 weeks prior to the start date listed in Banner.
NOTE: If your school has an Administrator, this information may not reflect your School’s policy. Please see any communication that they may send for changes to this information for your courses or contact them for questions.
Here are a few tips and some information to get started.
- Prepare your computer: Please use the OS specific setup guide located at http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/blackboard/faq.html.
- Course Section Access: The official instructor of record, as assigned in Banner can access the course section through BlazerNet Courses and Training Tab www.blazernet.edu or www.uab.edu/academiccourses as follows
- Summer May Session: January 26, 2009
- Summer 12-Week Session: January 26, 2009
- Summer 9-Week Session: February 16, 2009
- Summer A Session: February 16, 2009
- Summer B Session: March 18, 2009
- Default Course Section Content and Settings:
- The course will open to students on the start date set in Banner. This will vary depending upon the part of summer term the course is offered.
- The course will close to students 5 days after the last day of the term/part of term as listed in Banner. This should give students access to the course until grades are posted into Banner for the part of term the course is offered.
- A standard course template will be assigned to your course section. Instructors can use it modify it or replace it. Please see additional information below.
- Labs, Independent Study & Seminar sections: Courses labeled as Lab Independent Study or Seminar in Banner are not automatically opened and populated by default. If you are teaching a lab, independent study or seminar course and you would like to use Blackboard Vista, please complete the Course Update Request Form at www.uab.edu/courseupdaterequests.
- Request changes to default content and settings: If you would like something in your current fall course section modified (additional instructors/designers/TA’s, cross listing, loading of previously used course content, date changes) please complete the Course Update Request Form at www.uab.edu/courseupdaterequests.
What is the Standard Course Template?
This template has content available for students which as designed to introduce or reiterate helpful information to students about how to navigate the online course environment. There are several folders and modules created.
- Resources and Links Learning Module- a module which contains documentation on the UAB Academic Honor Code, a link to the QEP: Writing at UAB, a file titled “How to Request an Online Journal” and a few rules and regulation on proper etiquette in an online course fittingly titled “Net Etiquette”. Also included in the module are a cache of helpful links to resources such as the Lister Hill Library, Mervyn Sterne Library, AskIT Helpdesk, and a link to the UAB Student Guide.
- Blackboard Vista Student Resources- this link has been designed especially for the students. It is a link that addresses the technical aspects of working online like how to ensure correct computer set up and software.
- General Discussion- A tool designed to as an online meeting area for students to discuss various topics.
- General Chat- A room designed for students to utilize synchronous chat and illustration features.
There are many ways that UAB faculty can employ the Blackboard Vista 4 system and which supports individual teaching and learning practices. To start, consider adding the course syllabus, key content/handouts, and your contact information (to include your office hours) for the students, and who to contact if they incur technical difficulties (e.g. AskIT 996-5555 or askit@uab.edu)
To learn more about designing and developing your course section:
Please visit the Training and Educational Offerings from Instructional Technology at http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/training.html and Faculty Development Opportunities thru the Office of Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Affairs at http://main.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=103573.
Have a great summer!
October 28, 2008
Wimba Live Classroom is Now Available!
We are pleased to announce the availability of Wimba Live Classroom for use in your UAB blended and/or on-line courses. With a good design, this tool will enable you to implement instructional approaches to engage students and increase their learning.
Wimba Live Classroom works similar to other webcast tools. It supports audio, video, application sharing, and content display. Advanced features such as polling, whiteboarding, presenter on-the-fly, resizable chat areas and participant lists, usage analytics tools are available.
Example uses of the tool:
- Sessions can be archived by the instructor and published in a Bb Vista course section as an assignment or used by a student for review, reinforcement, and studying.
- Instructors you can invite guest speakers, with Wimba Live guest speakers can gain access to your course without a BlazerID, and students will be able to see, hear, and interact with them-real time. Once the seminar is over, using the archive feature will enable you to keep the presentation and review it, display it in other courses, and use it over and over again in your other courses!
- There is also a Breakout Room option, which gives you an opportunity to divide your students into groups, assign them their own room, and record their brain-storming session!
The Wimba Live Classroom is easy to use with a little training and the proper computer set up:
- The tool can be used real time in a virtual audio/visual classroom or as a recorded session .
- The tool can be used in UAB classroom at the podium or in the office at your computer.
- A head set, microphone is required. A webcam is optional. This equipment can be purchased at the UAB bookstore. Recommended products can be viewed on the ITIT website.
- All computers must be set up to run Wimba by running the “wizard”. Representatives from each school are working with ITIT to ready labs and other UAB computers. A school representative will follow my email to introduce school specific plans.
To get started with Wimba Live Classroom:
- View tutorials and files by clicking on the Wimba live classroom logo on the Online Learning page on our site or clicking here.
- Attend a demonstration, by registering at http://www.wimba.com/demos/live.php
- Attend the Hands-On session November 7th, in LHL G40 from 10:00 – 10:40 to see how it works. No registration required.
- Learn how to build and teach with Wimba live classroom in your Bb Vista course section by signing up for training http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/training.html
For technical support please contact the AskIT Help Desk either by phone 996-5555 or by e-mail at askit@uab.edu.
If you would like to speak in more detail about design and how to use Wimba Live Classroom to increase student engagement and learning, feel free to contact Karen Shader at 975-6552. Future UAB faculty development events will be announced as they become available and we will continue to share literature, additional information and other educational opportunities with you.
August 13, 2008
Blackboard Vista 4 is Live!!
We are pleased to announce that the Blackboard Vista 4 environment is now available for your use as UAB’s official course management system. IF you experience any difficulties, please contact AskIT at (205) 996-5555.
What you need to know
For faculty and students:
For Academic courses go to www.uab.edu/academiccourses
For Training courses go to www.uab.edu/trainingcourses
Prepare your computer using the OS-specific setup guide.
Students
Resources and training for students at http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/blackboard/student.htm
Faculty
Resources and training for faculty at http://www.uab.edu/it/instech/blackboard/insdes.html
Join us for a Bb Vista Open House!
Instructional Technology will host an open lab for Faculty from August 13 th to August 19th, 2008 in the Continuing Education Center (or CEC building) room 305. Instructional technologists will be available to demonstrate the new features and functions of Blackboard Vista 4 and answer any questions about getting started.
Dates and Hours
- August 13 th- 8:00 a.m-12:00 a.m./ 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
- August 14 th- 8:00-5:00
- August 15 th- 8:00-5:00
- August 18 th- 8:00-5:00
- August 19 th-8:00-12:00
Directions
305 Cudworth Building (aka Continuing Education Center)
1919 University Boulevard
Parking Information
UAB Parking Deck #3 adjacent to Cudworth Building; parking cost $2 - $6
After parking take parking elevator to 3 rd floor (Entrance to Continuing Education Center),
Exit elevator turn left go downstairs – 2 nd floor entrance in CEC
No registration required. Just stop by. We look forward to seeing you there. |
