IT News and Updates:

InfoTech Self-Service Portal

We are thrilled to provide this new InfoTech Self-Service portal, configured to enhance our IT Service Management (ITSM). To support our progress toward the Gartner initiative of building and maturing our service management capabilities and processes, we have implemented TeamDynamix, a comprehensive platform designed to support IT Service Management processes. With the release of TeamDynamix we anticipate improved visibility of the IT service catalog, transparency of service level objectives, streamlined service requests, and an overall boost in the efficiency of our IT services.

This platform will also provide solutions to challenges we know currently exist in the support structure including:

• A one-stop-shop for all IT issues and requests with built in work flows to streamline the ticket to the support team that can best assist
• Ability to view the status of open incidents and requests and allow the user to request an update or provide more information directly to the ticket
• Access to a full knowledge base, providing users with the information needed to resolve common issues independently
• A chat bot that allows you to receive general assistance 24/7 and increase support options available

This is the first release to this exciting platform. We look forward to continue our development and configuration of processes that provide you with streamlined support. 

Artificial Intelligence: What's New?

Blackboard Ultra Design Assistant

The AI Design Assistant was created in accordance with Anthology's Trustworthy AI framework. Leaving instructors in control, the AI Design Assistant uses artificial intelligence to streamline the course building process, giving subject matter experts a head-start on creating engaging, effective Learn Ultra courses. These system features allow for auto-generated modules (without populated content), assignment prompts, discussion board prompts, test questions and rubrics. The assignment creation functionality allows instructors to generate assignment prompts that encourage students to engage in higher-order thinking, apply their learned knowledge, and produce authentic submissions that are evidenced and emulate real-world situations.  To ensure the instructor is in control, the generation process allows instructors to enter an assignment description, select a desired cognitive process based on Bloom's Taxonomy, set the complexity, and generate an assignment title.

If you are interested in learning more about these features as you build Fall 2024 courses, please schedule a Blackboard Ultra training appointment. The university will continue to review forthcoming advancements to artificial intelligence within the LMS environment to ensure they are aligned with university expectations for instructor contributions to course design and development.  

Zoom AI Companion:

Zoom’s AI companion is a feature designed to collaborate, communicate and get work done more efficiently. Below is a highlight of the features that are available within Zoom.

• Meeting Summary with AI Companion allows the host of the meeting to generate a summary. The meeting summary is only be shared with the host once the meeting has ended. The host can then share the summary with the participants of the meeting.
• Meeting Questions with AI Companion allows hosts and invited participants to ask questions to AI Companion during a meeting. The questions are answered based on the conversation transcript. The feature is enabled for all participants of the meeting, and participants will receive answers based on the time they joined the meeting.
• Smart Recording with AI Companion adds recording highlights, smart chapters and next steps to cloud recordings. This will not be available if the recording is being saved to the computer.

Artificial Intelligence Supports:

As we continue to implement AI technology into our systems, please remember to review the Evolving Landscape of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) which covers AI supports, updates and key considerations such as ways to protect your personal information. If you are looking for additional ChatGPT & Artificial Intelligence Guidance, please access the Center for Teaching and Learning resources.

Tech Tips:

System Retirement & Changes:

After careful consideration and strategic planning, we have decided to retire the IT Connector application, which is found on University issued laptops. This system was retired Sunday, June 30, 2024.  The resources assigned to maintain this application have been moved to supporting the MySHU portal, including a review committee to ensure all content is up to date and beneficial.

If you would like assistance bookmarking any resources that are currently available in the IT connector, or would like to request a link be added to the MySHU portal, please call (203)-365-7575.