20100505
Contents:
01. Important Changes to IBM SPSS (PASW) Licenses
02. Beware of Spoofing, “Vishing,” and More
03. Introducing SAS OnDemand for Academics
04. eLearning 2.0 Conference – The Final Results Are In!
05. IRT News Venues: Stay Informed
06. Know Someone Who Wants to Subscribe to the Tech Update?
07. Microsoft Offers Free Download of Office 2010 Beta
08. Listserv Tip of the Month: Bulk Adding Subscribers to Your List
Tips & Tricks
News & Notes from the Online Learning Team
09. Camtasia for Mac Updated
10. Bb Vista Issue with Java Update 1.6.0_20
11. Reordering Columns in the Bb Vista Grade Book
12. Special Characters in Bb Vista
13. OLT Chat Support
14. Schedule for Upcoming IRT Workshops
1. Important Changes to IBM SPSS (PASW) Licenses
PASW (now IBM SPSS) was recently acquired by IBM, thus changing the HigherEd Academic Licensing options available to us. Beginning June 1, 2010, Drexel faculty and staff will be licensed for the same IBM SPSS package they currently use with one exception: Decision Tree will replace the AnswerTree module. Decision Tree should provide the same functionality as AnswerTree. Note that in our current license for IBM SPSS (PASW) v. 18, Decision Tree is available as a standalone product.
Over the course of the next year, IBM will phase out Drexel’s license for the IBM SPSS (PASW) student home-use option. The student home-use option for privately-owned computers will continue to be available until May 31, 2011, after which it will be discontinued. However, for less than $100, students will be able to purchase the software from e-Academy (accessible under the “Drexel” tab in DrexelOne).
Further information will be posted in the Tech Update as it becomes available.
2. Beware of Spoofing, “Vishing,” and More
Spoofing Alert
Recently, there have been numerous cases of email spoofing affecting the Drexel community. “Spoofing” is when a spammer disguises his or her “From” address with an address that appears to be legitimate (for example, an @drexel.edu address). If you see an email that you did not send but appears to be from your Drexel account, don’t be alarmed—it is probably a spoofed message.
If you are concerned about unauthorized access to your account, you might consider resetting your account password. You can reset it by following the steps in the Password Reset Wizard at http://accounts.drexel.edu, or by calling 215-895-2020 and asking IRT to reset it for you. Remember, NEVER give your password to ANYONE. No legitimate institution or organization, including Drexel University, will ever ask you for your password or other sensitive account information.
Phishing Alert
A new phishing scheme known as “vishing,” or “voice phishing,” appears to be gaining popularity with scammers. This insidious scheme takes phishing a step further by sending messages that contain fake requests for “account confirmation” or “account security alerts.” Oftentimes, the messages appear to come from PayPal or banking institutions. Instead of asking you directly for account information or credit card numbers, the messages ask you to call a number that uses an automated voice system, much like legitimate institutions. This system asks for sensitive account information, such as the three-digit security number on the back of your credit card.
These emails (and even phone calls) are SCAMS. NEVER give out your personal or account information unless you initiated the call by dialing the number on the back or your credit card, or unless you are securely signed on to the instution's official Web site. Always exercise caution!
3. Introducing SAS OnDemand for Academics
You might be familiar with IBM SPSS (statistical software package, formerly known as PASW), but did you know that another statistical package is available on the Web? Instructors at more than 200 universities are already utilizing SAS OnDemand for Academics, software that can analyze massive quantities of data and form decisions based on this data. Professors can access SAS for OnDemand for Academics at no cost from anywhere via the Web. Starting in the fall of 2010, students will also be able to access the software at no cost.
For more information, visit http://www.sas.com/govedu/edu/programs/od_academics.html.
4. eLearning 2.0 Conference – The Final Results Are In!
The eighth annual e-Learning 2.0 Conference set a new attendance record! Over 200 registrants participated in the March 25th event in Behrakis Grand Hall, a 15% increase over our 2009 conference. 35 regional institutions were represented, and a total of 38 presenters delivered 16 presentations relating to e-Learning 2.0, including a keynote address by Dr. Kristen Betts on “Next Frontier: Innovation, Trends & Realities of Online and Blended Education.” The attendee feedback for the event was overwhelmingly positive. Please plan to join us for next year’s e-Learning 2.0 Conference, which will most likely be held on Thursday, March 24, 2011. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year’s conference a tremendous success!
5. IRT News Venues: Stay Informed
Did you know that the Tech Update is not the only place where you can find tech news from IRT? All Tech Update issues are archived on IRT’s Web site at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news/publications/techUpdate. Tech Update highlights are posted on IRT’s home page and select articles from each issue are now posted in the Campus Announcements channel in DrexelOne. However, important news can also be found in the following places:
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IRT Web Site: News & Events
http://www.drexel.edu/irt/news
Important tech alerts or announcements will often be posted on the page above. The most recent news item also appears on IRT’s home page. The news page is updated with timely alerts or announcements that are posted between Tech Update issues.
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IRT Twitter Page
https://twitter.com/Drexel_IRT
New issues of the Tech Update are announced on IRT’s Twitter page as they are published, but this page also provides information on special hours of operation for the Korman Center, and general technology articles of interest to the community.
All news items are focused on faculty, staff, or students at Drexel. Not all items will apply to everyone. As always, if you have any technical questions, please contact the IRT Help Desk at consult@drexel.edu or call 215-895-2020.
6. Know Someone Who Wants to Subscribe the Tech Update?
If you know of anyone who is not currently receiving the Tech Update, but would like to do so, there are two ways to subscribe:
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Subscribe to announcement mailings through Drexel Subscription Services. If users have Drexel userIDs, they can log in to the Drexel Subscription Services page at https://deptapp.drexel.edu/drexelsubs and (re)subscribe to their announcement list (the specific list name that appears is based on their status and/or college). This subscription includes the Tech Update, but also includes other informative emails about events and announcements around campus.
NOTE: The list “drexel-announcements-l” is for the Drexel Daily Digest only.
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Subscribe only to the Tech Update. This option does not require a Drexel userID—instead, users can subscribe with any email address. All they have to do is open a new email message from the account they want to subscribe, address the message to listserv@lists.drexel.edu, leave the subject blank, clear the message body of ALL content, and type the following plain text command into the body:
subscribe tech-update-newsletter-l
Once the email with the above command is sent, they’re all set! Users who have subscribed to this list can also unsubscribe themselves by sending the following command to ListServ:
signoff tech-update-newsletter-l
These instructions have also been posted online at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/email/mailinglists/TechUpdateSubscription. If you have any questions about subscribing to the Tech Update, contact the Mailing List Team at mailreq@drexel.edu.
7. Microsoft Offers Free Download of Office 2010 Beta
Microsoft Office 2010 is on the horizon! Just this month, Office 2010 was released to manufacturing. The final version will be released to the public sometime in June, according to CNET’s article at http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-20002740-56.html.
However, in the meantime, Microsoft has released a free download of the Office 2010 Beta! Check out Office 2010’s new features and tools at http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/.
Please note that IRT does not yet support Office 2010; the links above are offered for informational purposes only.
8. Listserv Tip of the Month: Bulk Adding Subscribers to Your List
Your list has been created and configured by IRT. Now what? To start sending emails through your list, you first need people to send them to—list subscribers! All list owners can add or delete list subscribers, and review the list’s current configuration and subscribers.
To add subscribers in bulk to your list, follow these steps:
- Open a new message in the email account you use to manage your list.
- Address the message to listserv@lists.drexel.edu and leave the “Subject” field blank.
- Remove all text from the body of the message, including signatures, and set the message formatting to plain text only.
- Copy and paste the following email command exactly as it appears below into the message body:
quiet add listname dd=ddname import
//ddname dd *
(Email list)
/*
In place of “listname” in the above command, input the name of your list (the string before the “@” sign in your list address). In place of “(Email list),” copy and paste the addresses you would like to subscribe to your list, one address per line. When you are finished, send the message.
- Depending on how the list is configured, ListServ might respond with a confirmation request. If so, reply to the request, clear the message body of all text, type OK in the body, and click the “Send” button.
You’re all done! ListServ will reply with the number of subscribers that were added, the number of subscribers that were notified, and how many duplicates were found (duplicate addresses are automatically removed). In addition, ListServ will notify you of any subscription errors.
For more information on list management and ListServ, visit the List Manager’s Survival Guide at http://www.drexel.edu/irt/email/mailinglists/listservmanagersguide.aspx.
Tips & Tricks
Tips & Tricks are helpful articles that address a variety of Windows and Mac applications. Click on one of the links below to view the full article:
Converting Tabbed Text to a Table in Word 2007
Converting a Table to Tabbed Text in Word 2007
Reveal Formatting in Word 2007
A Format Painter Shortcut for Word
PowerPoint Tech Tip - Deliver a Presentation on Two Monitors
Using a Keystroke to Delete Cells in Excel
Use Excel’s AutoFill Feature
News & Notes from the Online Learning Team
9.
Camtasia for Mac Updated
TechSmith has released its first update for Camtasia for Mac! Version 1.1 includes the following enhancements:
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Selectable capture area. Choose which part of the screen to capture from several presets or set a custom area.
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Pause & resume. Temporarily stop recording to answer the phone, gather your thoughts, grab a snack, etc., then pick up where you left off.
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Voice-only recording. Capture audio without screen or webcam input to record voiceovers or fix flaws in narrated audio.
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Audio enhancements. Remove background noises and balance sound levels in your audio.
If you have already attended one of the OLT’s Camtasia for Mac workshops, you can install the update by clicking "Check for Updates" in the Camtasia menu of the program (this update is free for existing users). If you haven't attended one of these workshops, you can download a free 30-day trial at http://www.techsmith.com/camtasiamac/free-trial. To learn how to use the software and obtain an activation key, please plan to attend the OLT’s next Recording and Editing with Camtasia for Mac workshop, scheduled for Thursday, May 13th from 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Contact olt@drexel.edu for more information or to register for this workshop.
10. Bb Vista Issue with Java Update 1.6.0_20
Sun/Oracle recently released Java 1.6.0_20. The new Java update recognizes a potential security threat and displays a warning message when users log into Bb Vista. This message recommends that they block components that are needed for certain features in Bb Vista to work properly, including Chat, File Manager, and the HTML Creator.
At this time, Blackboard recommends that users do not upgrade to the new version of Java. If they have already upgraded, they can roll back to the previous version. Users who have already upgraded and choose not to roll back can change the settings in the Java Control Panel (under “Advanced” < “Security” < “Mixed code”) to “Disable verification” or "Enable - hide warning and run with protections."
For more information on this setting, go to http://www.java.com/en/download/help/error_mixedcode.xml. Any questions can be directed to the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu or 215-895-1224.
11. Reordering Columns in the Bb Vista Grade Book
Have you ever reordered columns in the Grade Book, only to realize that your reordering was not maintained? After you move columns in the “Reorder Columns” screen, you must remember to click the “Save” button at the bottom of the screen. If you are certain that you clicked the “Save” button, the problem could be due to the existence of multiple tabs in the Grade Book:
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"Grades" tab: Displays all default columns and the grade-related columns that you create.
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"Members" tab: Displays some default columns and the non-grade-related columns that you create.
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"View All" tab: Displays all columns.
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"Custom View" tab: Displays all columns and lets you hide columns to create your own column groupings.
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"SCORM Grades" tab: Displays some default columns and the columns for gradable SCORM modules.
The “Grades” tab is the instructor’s default view of the Grade Book, whereas the “View All” tab shows the students’ view of the Grade Book. Each tab has its own ordering, so if you reorder columns in one tab (i.e., “Grades,” “View All,” or “Custom View”), you will not see the changes in another tab.
Let’s say that you have three columns in your Grade Book in the following order: Midterm, Final, and Participation. Participation is worth 15% of the final grade, the Midterm is worth 35%, and the Final is worth 50%; you would like to order the columns in terms of their relative importance to the final grade. If you reorder the columns in the “View All” tab, the students will see the correct ordering of (1) Participation, (2) Midterm, and (3) Final. However, the instructor’s default view of the Grade Book in the “Grades” tab displays the original column ordering of (1) Midterm, (2) Final, and (3) Participation. To change the “Grades” tab to match what your students see in the “View All" tab, click the “Reorder Columns” button from the “Grades” tab to reorder the columns in that tab. Remember to click the “Save” button at the bottom of the screen to maintain your reordering!
If you have any questions about reordering Grade Book columns, or general questions about the Bb Vista Grade Book, contact the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu or 215-895-1224.
12. Special Characters in Bb Vista
The following special characters are not supported in Bb Vista:
/ \ "
In addition, a file or folder name cannot end with a period.
The following special characters have also been found to be problematic in Bb Vista:
< > :
If you attempt to use any of these special characters in the name of an item in Bb Vista, including files, folders, and content links, you are likely to receive an error message. However, even if you do not receive an error message, a special character might cause the item to function improperly.
In addition to the characters above, it is good practice to avoid using the following special characters when naming electronic files and folders:
! # ^ + ? [ ] & % , ‘
If you have any questions about the use of special characters in Bb Vista, please contact the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu or 215-895-1224.
13. OLT Chat Support
The Online Learning Team (OLT) has posted a new URL in the Campus Bookmarks channel of the Bb Vista Course List page entitled “Online Learning Team Chat Support.”
You can click on this link to initiate a live chat session with a member of the OLT during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am - 6 pm). The addition of live chat support is just one more way that the OLT is making itself more accessible to users with Bb Vista-related questions and problems!
14. Schedule for Upcoming IRT Workshops
Unless otherwise noted, all sessions will be held in Korman 116. To sign up for any of these workshops, please email olt@drexel.edu.
Bb Vista
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Bb Vista Full Day Workshop
Tuesday, May 11, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 16, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Aimed at instructors and administrators who are new to Bb Vista or who have not worked in Bb Vista for a while. Lunch will be provided.
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Bb Vista: Using the Teach Tab and More
Wednesday, June 2, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
This workshop is being offered to individuals who are familiar with Bb Vista and want to learn more about using the system from a teaching perspective (managing assignments, creating assessments, using the Grade Book, etc.). Come with questions!
Brown Bags and Workshops
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7 Things Instructors Must Know about Adobe Acrobat
Friday, June 4, noon – 1:30 p.m.
During this session, seven Adobe Acrobat features will be demonstrated that you can immediately use to benefit your face-to-face or online courses.
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Creating Audio Podcasts with Audacity and DragonDrop
Thursday, May 27, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Learn how Audacity, a freely-available software package, can be used to record and edit audio for use in your course. This hands-on session will cover basic functionality and techniques, and provide an introduction to podcasting using DragonDrop.
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Editing Images for Your Course
Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. – noon
Learn how GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program), a freely-available software package, can be used to fix and edit images for use in your course or personal collections. Basic functionality and techniques will be covered in this hands-on session.
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How to Make Your Quizzes Sizzle and Your Students Smile
Tuesday, May 18, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Learn how to import e-Packs and PowerPoints into Bb Vista, use test generator software/testbanks to create assessments, and upload publisher-created exam questions using Respondus.
Camtasia
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Desktop & Presentation Recording: Camtasia Relay
Wednesday, May 12, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 1, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Learn about the basics of screencasting, how to prepare yourself for the recording process, and how to use Camtasia Relay to record your desktop for publication on the Web.
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Recording and Editing with Camtasia for Mac
Thursday, May 20, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn how to use Camtasia for Mac to record your desktop and presentations, edit your work, and produce media files. Prerequisite: Desktop and Presentation Recording: Camtasia Relay. Recommended: Bring your Intel-powered Mac laptop (MacBook, Pro, or Air).
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Recording and Editing with Camtasia Studio for Windows
Thursday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Learn how to use Camtasia Studio for Windows to record your desktop and presentations, edit your work, and produce media files. Prerequisite: Desktop and Presentation Recording: Camtasia Relay.
DragonDrop
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DragonDrop Basic Training
Friday, May 28, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, June 22, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
This workshop will introduce you to the basics of working with DragonDrop, a web-based application for capturing, encoding, and publishing rich media for web access.
Dreamweaver
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Dreamweaver Basic
Thursday, May 13, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In the Basic course, we create simple pages using Dreamweaver CS4, including headings, lists, images, and links.
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Dreamweaver Intermediate
Thursday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 24, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In the Intermediate course, we create and modify stylesheets and apply styles including fonts, float positioning, and colors.
Mac Workshops
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Boost Productivity with Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Wednesday, June 23, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
A representative from Apple will demonstrate how you can boost productivity on your Mac. Bring your own Mac laptop if you wish.
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Switching from Windows to Mac
Thursday, May 20, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This workshop will present an overview of the easiest ways to switch from using a PC to a Mac.
Respondus
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Respondus
Thursday, June 17, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Respondus products help us to easily import quiz questions/answers into Bb Vista, secure the online testing environment, and create interesting (and entertaining) learning objects.
SharePoint
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SharePoint Basic
Friday, May 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 25, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 3, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 30, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
SharePoint is a powerful tool for document collaboration. This session provides step-by-step directions and an overview of SharePoint's key functions. Topics covered include site navigation, creating and editing items, and uploading documents.
Snap
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Snap Basic
Wednesday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - FULL
The Basic course is geared towards new users of Snap, Drexel's survey software. A demonstration of the entire survey setup process will be presented.
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Snap Advanced
Tuesday, June 22, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
In the Advanced course, users of Snap will learn how to create a survey, set up routing rules, and send automated survey invitation and reminder messages through Snap. Password-protected surveys and iterative surveys will also be discussed.
Wimba Live Classroom
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Wimba Classroom and Other Wimba Tools
Thursday, June 3, 10:00 a.m. – noon
Wimba Classroom is a synchronous, virtual classroom. Its features include multi-way audio and video, easy upload of PowerPoint presentations, application sharing, polling, and more—all designed to create a robust online classroom experience.