IT News and Updates:

Posted 8/29/24

Upcoming Training

Teaching Technology Sessions

The university adopted several applications to support teaching and leaning. Below are some of the sessions we believe will be the most valuable as instructors begin the term. Join to us to learn about leveraging the Learning Management System to facilitate your courses, create engaging materials for your students, and review an overview of the entire supported tool suite. 

• Thu. Sep. 5 at 2:00PM: Mastering Assessments and Grading in Blackboard
• Wed. Sep. 11 at 10:00AM: Creating Interactive Assignments and Study Materials 
• Wed. Sep. 18 at 2:00PM: Enhancing Your Teaching with Technology

Classroom Technology Tip

Duplicate Mode

When presenting content in the classroom, if you would like what is on the source device (podium computer or laptop) to appear on the projector or TV screens for students, be sure to do the following: 

• On a Windows PC, select Windows + P and select Duplicate
• On a MAC, select the Apple menu > System Settings > Displays > Mirror

Extend Mode

When presenting content in the classroom, if you would like to use the projector or TV screens as a secondary screen and drag content to be displayed, be sure to do the following: 

• On a Windows PC, select Windows + P and select Extend
• On a MAC, select the Apple menu > System Settings > Displays > Extend 

Prepare for the Fall 2024 Term

Faculty Preparation Checklist

A new semester requires some preparation for success. Use the checklist below to ensure you are ready for the class sessions ahead.

1. Fall courses shells are available in Blackboard. Upload your syllabus, create a learning module for week one and make the course available to students. Need assistance? Set up an appointment with the Academic Technology Team.
2. Become familiar with the teaching and learning technology available in classroom spaces. In every classroom is a QR code you can scan using your mobile camera to access a step by step classroom guide. This QR code is found on the podium. 
3. If your course requires a specific software, submit a Classroom Software Installation Request.
4. Lecture Capture software provides flexible learning options, accessibility, blended learning opportunities and more for students. To set up lecture capture recordings for the term, complete the Lecture Capture Request form.
5. Become familiar with the technical support options available to you. Every classroom is equipped with a black bat phone. Picking up the classroom phone and selecting ‘2’ will connect you with a technician for assistance.
6. Install the University print driver to print on campus in the print lab. 

Student Preparation Checklist

Feeling overwhelmed during this first week? Use the list below as a guide to prepare for classes. 

1. Login to Blackboard to review your course list and any materials your faculty may have posted for you. If the course is set to unavailable, do not panic! Your faculty member will release the content soon.
2. Set up a folder for the academic year in Microsoft OneDrive. Review the productivity tools available to you from Microsoft Office 365 including OneNote, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Forms and more. Leverage these tools when submitting work.
3. Activate your LinkedIn Learning account, the University supported e-learning platform. 
4. The University provides software for students such as antivirus and coursework applications. Visit the app catalog to install applications you may need.
5. Looking to connect your gaming and television devices such as Xbox, Playstation, AppleTV, Roku, etc. in your dorm on campus? Be sure to connect them to SHU-DeviceNet by registering the MAC address of the device on https://mydevices.sacredheart.edu.
6. Install the University print driver to your computer, and add funds to your SHU Card to print on campus in the print lab. 

Alternative Formats and Accessibility Checker within Blackboard

Anthology Ally for Instructors

Anthology Ally is a tool designed to help instructors improve the accessibility of their course content within Blackboard Ultra. Ally provides an accessibility score for each course document, helping instructors quickly identify and prioritize content that needs improvement. A feature enhancement to Ally includes the Ultra Accessibility Checker (Powered by Anthology® Ally). This powerful tool scans content in the content editor for Learn Ultra documents, helping instructors effortlessly identify and resolve accessibility issues. Instructors will find the Score Gauge indicator visible while active in the content editor of Learn Ultra Documents. Instructors can select the Score Gauge to view the Instructor Feedback panel, which presents actionable suggestions for addressing accessibility matters at scale. Instructors can also view the content editor in a preview. Furthermore, the Score Gauge provides a live score, effectively flagging any accessibility issues during content creation and editing. By following Ally’s recommendations, instructors can make their course materials more accessible to all students. 

Anthology Ally for Students 

Anthology Ally is a valuable tool for students, offering features that enhance accessibility and provide alternative ways to access course content. Ally automatically generates a variety of formats for course materials, allowing students to choose the one that best suits their learning needs. Some of the formats available include: 

• Tagged PDF: improves the reading experience for those using screen readers. 
• HTML: Offers a responsive experience on different devices.
• ePub: For reading on e-book readers.
• Audio: Provides an option to listen to the content.
• Electronic Braille: Accessible for those using refreshable braille displays.

Did you know? Since its release in November 2022, Ally has provided 101,129 alternative formats of content for 14,381 users!