Blackboard Tip of the Week: End of Semester Checklist

Tip: At the end of each semester, you should

1. Export the final course Gradebook
2. Archive your Blackboard course
3. Make the course unavailable

Export the final course Gradebook:

1. Access the course that contains the Gradebook you want to export
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Gradebook
3. Click the Download Grades button
4. Select Comma or Tab as the Delimiter Type (both file types can be opened in MS Excel)
5. Click the Submit button then click the Download button
6. Save the file to your Desktop (or anywhere on your computer that is appropriate)
7. Click OK

Archive your Blackboard course:

1. Access the course you want to archive
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Archive Course (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click the Archive button
4. Click Submit
5. After you receive the archive completion email, navigate to the Archive Course page again.
6. Right-click the zipped course file and click Save Target As… to save the file to your computer
   
• NOTE: If you are using Firefox, you will use the Save Link As… option instead
7. Click OK

Make the course unavailable:

1. Access the course you want to make unavailable
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Settings (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click Course Availability
4. Select No, and click Submit

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Flickr

(http://www.flickr.com)
Flickr is an online image management and sharing tool. Users can post images and short videos.

Flickr Features:

• Post pictures and short videos
• Edit pictures—crop, get rid of red eye, special effects
• Organize pictures into groups by themes or topics
  
• Content is moderated and must be flagged as safe, moderate, or restricted.
• Comment on pictures
• Two account types available: Basic (free) and Pro

Using Flickr Professionally:

• Search for Creative Commons licensed photos or video clips for presentations
• Network with others by joining groups with others who have the same interests
• Teach students about intellectual property rights by exploring the licensing types allowed on Flickr

Tell us how you’re using Flickr in this post's comments.

Ready to explore Flickr?
Sign up for an account here.

Voicemail Tip of the Week: Listening to Messages by Phone

TWU has a new voicemail system for all permanent faculty and staff. The new system integrates voicemail with e-mail, delivering all messages to both telephone and e-mail. To request an account on the new system, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu and include your name, campus, and telephone extension.

Listening to voicemail messages

• Voicemail messages are automatically delivered to your email inbox.


• Messages can be accessed by phone or by email, whichever is preferred.


• When accessing your voicemail by phone, the system will offer options to listen to voicemail messages by
• pressing (1) then
• (1) for new messages
  or
• (2) for saved messages

During message playback, there are several features available:

Save current message.......................... 1
Forward message to extension........... 2
Skip to next message............................ 3
Replay current message...................... 4
Rewind message 6 seconds............... 5
Fast forward message 6 seconds...... 6
Delete this message, play next........... 7

Features available at all times:

Return to a previous menu.................. *
Finish a key entry................................. #

Voicemail Tip of the Week: Remote phone access

TWU has a new voicemail system for all permanent faculty and staff. The new system integrates voicemail with e-mail, delivering all messages to both telephone and e-mail. To request an account on the new system, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu and include your name, campus, and telephone extension.

Remote phone access to voicemail allows you to stay connected when traveling, or to be able to change your greeting when out of the office unexpectedly.

Remote access from off campus:

1. Call the voicemail system
   
   • Denton....... (940)898-4646
   • Dallas......... (214)689-6677
   • Houston..... (713)794-2044


2. Press # (system prompt)


3. Enter your six digit mailbox number (system prompt)
   Note: Six digit mailbox numbers are a campus code (Denton: 81, Dallas-Parkland: 82, Dallas-Presbyterian: 83, Houston: 84) + the four digit extension.


4. Enter your security code

Blackboard Tip of the Week: Creating an Anonymous Survey

Tip: You can create an anonymous survey in Blackboard.

Here’s how to create the survey:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Survey Manager


2. Click the + Add Survey button


3. Type a name for the survey as well as any description or instructions you want to provide then click Submit


4. Add questions to the survey
   
   
   
   1. Click on the drop-down menu next to the words Add Calculated Formula
   
   
   2. Select the type of question you would like to add then click the Go button
      
      • For open-ended questions, select the Short Answer or Essay question types

Here’s how to launch the survey in your course:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on the Content Area where you would like to place the survey


2. Click the Edit View link at the upper right corner of the page


3. Click the drop-down menu next to the words + Select: Learning Unit


4. Select the Survey option then click the Go button


5. Select the survey you created then click Submit
   
   • To change the survey availability and settings, click the Modify the Survey options link on the following page

Survey anonymity in Blackboard:

Surveys in Blackboard are anonymous, so you will not be able to discern individuals’ survey answers. To view the full survey results,

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Gradebook


2. Locate the survey Gradebook item, and click on the name of the survey


3. Click the Download Results link, and select your download options
   
   • NOTE: Microsoft Excel will open a .csv file or a tab-delimited file

Blackboard Tip of the Week: Weight Gradebook Items by Category or by Item

Tip: You can weight Gradebook items by category or by item.

NOTE: After you assign weight to Gradebook items or categories, you cannot remove the weighting option from the Gradebook. Therefore, add weighting to the Gradebook only if you are certain that you will continue to use weighting the entire semester.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Gradebook


2. Click the Weight Grades button


3. Select the option to Weight by Category* or to Weight by Item


4. Assign weight percentages to the desired categories or items
• Percentages must add up to 100%


5. Click Submit to save the new settings

*Weight by Category:

Weighting by category allows you to assign a weight percentage to a particular type of Gradebook item rather than to each Gradebook item. For example, you can weight all course quizzes at 30% of the students’ total grades. Each time you add a quiz, the weight percentage for each quiz will adjust so that their sum total can only affect up to 30% of the students’ grades. Remember, the total percentages across all categories must add up to 100%.

To use this feature correctly, it is important that you assign Gradebook items to appropriate categories. Here’s how to change a Gradebook item’s category:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Gradebook


2. Click the Manage Items button


3. Click the Modify button next to the Gradebook item you want to change


4. Select a new category for the item, and click Submit

Microsoft Office Tip: Set Out of Office using Outlook Web Access

1. Click Options
   


2. On the left-hand navigation, select Out of Office Assistant
   


3. Select  Send Out of Office auto-replies
   


4. To limit the dates of auto-replies, select the option Send Out of Office auto-replies only during this time period and set the appropriate dates
• NOTE:  If this option is not selected, auto-replies will be sent until Do not send Out of Office auto-replies is manually selected


5. In the topmost text box, labeled  Send an auto-reply once to each sender inside my organization with the following message, enter the response you would like sent to emails from within the TWU system
   


6. Just below that text box, make sure the Send Out of Office auto-relies to External Senders box is checked
   


7. Select whether you want auto-replies sent only to senders in my Contacts list or to anyone outside my organization
   


8. In the final text box, labeled Send an auto-reply once to each sender outside my organization with the following message, enter the response you would like sent to emails that are not within the TWU system
   


9. Click on the Save button located near the top of the page

Microsoft Office Tip of the Week: Out of Office Assistant

Application: Outlook 2007

Microsoft Office Outlook’s Out of Office Assistant can be used to automatically respond to email messages in the event of an absence.  The Out of Office Assistant can respond to emails both within and outside of TWU. Out of Office replies can be used to give dates of an absence, an alternative point of contact, and a means of communication to those emailing.

Here’s how to do it:

1. In Outlook, go to the Tools menu and select Out of Office Assistant


2. Select Send Out of Office auto-replies


3. To limit the dates of auto-replies, select the option Only send during this time range and set the appropriate dates
• NOTE:  If this option is not selected, auto-replies will be sent until Do not send Out of Office auto-replies is manually selected


4. Compose a response for Inside My Organization (within TWU) and enter the information


5. Click on the Outside My Organization tab and make sure the Auto-reply to people outside my organization box is checked


6. Select whether you want auto-replies sent only to My Contacts only or Anyone outside my organization


7. Compose a response for Outside My Organization (those outside TWU) and enter the information


8. Click on OK

Blackboard Tip of the Week: Add/Remove users to the Instructor role

Tip: You can add users to the instructor role in your course as well as remove users from the instructor role from your course.

Here’s how to add users to the instructor role:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Enroll User
2. Search for the instructor’s username by typing their last name and clicking on the Search button
3. Place a checkmark next to the appropriate username then click Submit
4. Return to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on List/Modify Users
5. Click the Search button then click the Properties button next to the appropriate username
6. Under Role and Availability, select the Instructor role then click Submit

Here’s how to remove users from the instructor role:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on List/Modify Users
2. Click the Search button then click the Properties button next to the appropriate username
3. Under Role and Availability, select the Student role then click Submit
4. Return to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Remove Users from Course
5. Search for the instructor’s username by typing their last name and clicking on the Search button
6. Place a checkmark next to the appropriate username
7. Type Yes in the confirmation box then click Submit
   NOTE: You must type Yes, with a capital Y

Using the Add Users by Role feature:

If you know the Blackboard username of the instructor you want to add, you can use the Add Users by Role feature.

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Add Users by Role
2. Select the appropriate user role from the drop-down box
3. Type the Blackboard username(s) in the username box
   NOTE: You can add multiple users at once by separating each username with a comma
4. Click Submit to add the user(s)

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Animoto

(http://www.animoto.com)

Animoto is an online application that instantly produces videos using pictures, video, text, and sound. Animoto’s technology allows you to drag and drop pictures in the order you want to view them, select a song and the program integrates the two for a professional-looking video production. Animoto takes presentations to a new dimension!

Animoto allows you to:
• Create a picture slide show
• Upload pictures from your computer or from your account on Flickr, Facebook, Picasa, SmugMug, or Photobucket
• Incorporate music
• You are given a choice of licensed soundtracks or you can upload your own music
• Include text for captions
• Share the video
• Send to an email, blog, or website
• Export directly to YouTube
• Download to a CD or flash drive

Things to know:
• Users must create an account
• Free accounts allow users to create 30 second videos. Longer videos require a subscription at the cost of $25/year.
• Videos will be branded with Animoto’s logo at the end.
• Images must be in jpeg or gif formats.
• Apps available for the iPhone and Facebook; providing easy sharing and allowing you to create videos on the go.

Ready to explore Animoto?
View a sample video and sign up for an account.

Blackboard Tip of the Week: Grading Discussion Board forums or threads

Tip: You can grade Discussion Board forums or threads.

Here’s how to enable grading:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Discussion Board
2. Choose the specific Discussion Board containing the Forum you would like to grade
3. Click the Modify button for the Forum you would like to grade
4. Under Forum Settings, select Grade Forum or Grade Threads
• Grade Forum will allow you to assign grades for students’ posts to that forum
• Grade Threads will allow you to assign grades for students’ replies to each thread in a forum

Here’s how to grade:

1. Click the Grade icon next to the forum or thread you would like to grade
2. Click the Grade button next to a student’s name
• The student’s posts to the forum or thread will display
• You can filter, sort, and print the student’s posts
3. Type a grade in the Grade box and click the Submit button

Discussion grading and the gradebook:

It is important to note that when you enable grading for a forum or thread, columns for those forums or threads are automatically generated in the gradebook.

• When you enable grading by forum, a column for that forum is created in the gradebook
• When you enable grading by thread, a column for each thread in a forum is created in the gradebook

Keep this in mind when choosing whether to grade by forum or thread. Gradebook management can become cumbersome if you choose to grade a large number of threads.

Voicemail Tip of the Week: Tips for Navigating

TWU has a new voicemail system for all permanent faculty and staff. The new system integrates voicemail with e-mail, delivering all messages to both telephone and e-mail. To request an account on the new system, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu and include your name, campus, and telephone extension.

Tips for navigating in the new voicemail system

The new voicemail system is programmed with the # key as the speed up/ bypass key.

• When accessing voicemail by phone, type # at the end of entering keystrokes (such as your mailbox number or security code) to hurry the system along.
• When calling someone, press # to bypass their greeting.

Disconnecting from voicemail when transferring calls

When transferring a caller to another extension, it is important to stay on the line to be certain the call goes through. If voicemail answers on the destination extension and the caller does not want to leave a message press * several times until voicemail disconnects. You will then be reconnected with the original caller.

Voicemail is available for all permanent faculty and staff. To request an account, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu from your TWU e-mail account and include name, campus and telephone extension.

Tip #52: Embedding YouTube videos

You can embed YouTube videos in your Blackboard course.

Recommended use:
Due to copyright terms and YouTube’s Terms of Service requirements, we strongly recommend you only embed videos that you have created and uploaded to YouTube.

Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the YouTube page containing the video you would like to use, and copy the Embed code

• This is located in the video information to the right of the video
• If you click in the Embed field, it will highlight all of the code for you to copy

2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on the Content Area where you would like to place the video

3. Click the Add Item button

4. Click the Toggle HTML Source Mode button on the WYSIWIG text editor

5. Paste the Embed code into the Blackboard text editor

• If you toggle your view back to normal mode, the content area will appear to be blank but the video will appear when you look at it in the Content Area

6. Fill in any other information as you normally would then click on Submit

Microsoft Office Tip of the Week: Track Changes

Applications: Word 2007

Track Changes is a Microsoft Office feature that is useful when collaborating with coworkers on documents. Track changes can show deletions, comments, formatting changes, and content that has moved.

Turn change tracking on or off

• On the Review tab, in the Tracking group, click the Track Changes image. When change tracking is active, the icon will be orange. To turn off this function, click the Track Changes image again.


• To add a Track Changes Indicator to the status bar, right-click the status bar and click Track Changes. Click the Track Changes Indicator on the status bar to turn change tracking on or off.

Track changes while you edit
1. Open the document that you want to revise.
2. On the Review tab, in the Tracking group, click the Track Changes image.
3. Make the changes that you want by inserting, deleting, moving, or formatting text or graphics. You can also add comments.

After you are finished editing
After you’ve finished editing your document, use the Document Inspector to find and remove any hidden data stored by the Track Changes tool. To learn more about it, visit our past tip about the Document Inspector.

Tip #51: Copy/Paste content without including MS tags and formatting

You can copy and paste content from Microsoft Word documents into Blackboard without accidentally including Microsoft tags and formatting.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your Microsoft Word source document as well as the editing location in Blackboard where you plan to paste it
2. Open a new blank Notepad document in Windows
   • Press the Windows Start button and then go to Programs > Accessories > Notepad
3. In Microsoft Word, highlight the text you want to paste and copy as you normally would
4. Paste the highlighted text into the blank Notepad document
5. In Notepad, use Ctrl-A and then Ctrl-C to copy the now formatting-free version of your text
6. Paste this text into the Blackboard editor as you normally would

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Prezi

(http://www.Prezi.com)

Prezi is a web app that lets you author and deliver “zooming presentations.” Prezi embraces a zooming user interface model in which blocks of content are arranged contextually in relation to other blocks of content. The user can zoom in and out of the content, alternating between a “big picture” view and a “detail” view. In addition, you can layer content levels by zooming into a block of content, then zooming into a picture within that block (so it fills the whole screen), and then zooming into the picture, so you can see a specific detail.

To best understand Prezi, check out a sample presentation at their site: http://prezi.com/wesbmcijhqvx/



Prezi features include:
· Free online editor to create presentations with
· text
· framed groups
· lines
· arrows
· images, audio and video
· Presenters can zoom in and out on pictures/ideas as well as rotate them around.
· Presentations may be stored and accessed online through the Prezi site and downloaded for offline presentation.

Considerations for using Prezi:
· A basic account is free but offers limited space, no private presentations, and no offline editing.
· Prezi is for presenting only; printable handouts must be created separately.

Ready to explore Prezi?
Sign up for an account here, or check out a few of their tutorials here.

Tip #50: Setting Partial Credit on Assessments

When creating a test, you can set some questions to allow for partial credit by following a two-step process that includes first enabling the option on a test level, and then setting the option on a question level.

Question types:
While all manually-graded questions can be assigned partial credit, only the following automatically-graded questions allow it:
· Calculated Formula
· Fill in Multiple Blanks
· Jumbled Sentence
· Matching
· Multiple Answer
· Multiple Choice
· Opinion Scale/Likert
· Ordering
· Quiz Bowl

Here’s how to do it:
Enable the option on the test level:

1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Test Manager.
2. Click on the Modify button to the right of the test containing the questions you plan to make partial credit. This will take you to the Test Canvas page.
3. Click on the Creation Settings link.
4. Scroll down to the Scoring subsection, and check the box correlating to “Specify partial credit options for answers”.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Submit and then OK.

Set the option on the question level:

1. Click on the Modify button to the right of the question you plan to make partial credit.
2. Scroll down to the Options subsection, and check the box correlating to “Allow Partial Credit”.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click either Submit or Next until you are able to click Submit.

Please note:
· Partial credit scoring for automatically graded questions must be set up before students have taken the test.
· If you choose to disable partial credit scoring, you must first disable the option on the question level before doing so on the test level.

Voicemail Tip of the Week: Quick Message

TWU has a new voicemail system for all permanent faculty and staff. The new system integrates voicemail with e-mail, delivering all messages to both telephone and e-mail. To request an account on the new system, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu and include your name, campus, and telephone extension.

Voicemail messages can be sent by anyone at anytime, from on or off campus. This feature works regardless of phone forwarding status, and minimizes interruptions since it does not ring the recipient’s phone.

To send a quick message:
1. Call the voicemail system
· From on campus: Denton 4646, Dallas & Houston 814646
· From off campus: (940)898-4646, (214)689-6677, or (713)794-2044
2. Press * (system prompt)
3. Enter the recipient’s six digit mailbox number (system prompt)

Note: Six digit mailbox numbers are a campus code (Denton: 81, Dallas-Parkland: 82, Dallas-Presbyterian: 83, Houston: 84) + the four digit extension.

4. The recipient’s mailbox greeting will play
5. Record your message and hang up

Voicemail is available for all permanent faculty and staff. To request an account, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu from your TWU e-mail account and include name, campus and telephone extension.

Tip #49: Student self-assessments tool

You can use Blackboard’s Test tool to create student self-assessments with grades that only the student may see. This capability is useful when you want students to be able to assess their current knowledge and skill level while setting aside any fears they might have that this score will be used towards their grade.

Best practices:
· Use the test’s description to assure students that you will never have the capability to view their score for this particular self-assessment.
· Because only the student is able to view their grade and answers, use only question types that do not require manual grading. Otherwise, those questions will be left ungraded.

Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel and click on the Content Area where the assessment is located.
2. Click on the Modify button to the right of the assessment. This will take you to the Modify Test page.
3. Click on the Modify the Test options link.
4. Scroll down to the Self-assessment Options subsection, and check the box correlating to “Hide the score of this test from the Gradebook”.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Submit.

Please note:
· Once the “Hide the score of this test from the Gradebook” option is enabled for a test, only the student will be able to see their results for that particular assessment. Disabling the option afterwards will only result in the complete loss of their scores and answers.

· If the “Hide the score of this test from the Gradebook” option is accidentally enabled for a test, please contact us at blackboard@twu.edu before doing anything else.

Microsoft Office Tip of the Week: Format Painter

Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

The Microsoft Format Painter copies the formatting of shapes, objects, or text in a document. This ability increases consistency in a document which may contain many different format styles. The Format Painter is available in Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook.

Example:

Consistent formatting increases readability.

Isn’t this easier to read now?

To make the statements above match in style, use the Format Painter.

1. Highlight the text with the correct formatting.
2. On the Home tab, go to the Clipboard group and select the Format Painter which is signified by a paint brush.
3. Select the text to be formatted.

Now, the statements match in formatting.

Consistent formatting increases readability.

Isn’t this easier to read now?


For specific information about using the Format Painter in Microsoft Office Programs, check out:

Word:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA100905271033.aspx

Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/HA102103271033.aspx

Tip #48: Best Practices for Student Test Taking

A Blackboard Tip of the Week:  Best Practices for Student Test Taking

Tip:  You can help students reduce the chances of technological mishaps while taking exams by encouraging them to follow a few best practices.

Best Practices for Students Preparing to Take a Test:

• Students should view Blackboard using Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3.5
• Students who have already updated to Internet Explorer 8 should enable Compatibility View by clicking on the Compatibility View button located to the right of the Address Bar
• Students should run a System Check at least 30 minutes before an exam
• On the TWU Blackboard system front page under the Getting Started Guide, they should click on System Check 
• Students should disable pop-up blocking in their browsers
• In Firefox, they should: 
• Go to Tools > Options > Content
• Uncheck Block pop-up windows
• Click OK
• In Internet Explorer, they should:
• Go to Tools > Pop-up Blocker
• Click on Turn Off Pop-up Blocker
• Students should close all other applications and browsers before starting their test, and not open any others for the duration of their exam session
• Students should check for possible firewall issues before choosing their test taking location—especially if they plan on taking an exam at their places of employment
• Students can make sure their test submission will not be blocked by a corporate or home firewall by submitting the Sample Exam in the Blackboard Sample Course
  1. Go to http://online.twu.edu and log in with “online” as the username and password
  2. Click on TWU Sample Course and click on Exams
  3. Take the Sample Exam (choose to “take the assessment again” if given the option)
• If, after agreeing to submit the exam, the student receives “Assessment successfully submitted” message, then there should not be a test taking firewall problem on that location’s connection

Best Practices for Students While Taking a Test:

• Students should not open any other browser window or application for the duration of their exam session
• Students should not click outside of the test—including the navigation on the left side panel in Blackboard
• Students should not click on any browser navigation such as the Back, Forward, or Home buttons
• Students should not use the scroll wheel on their mouse as this will sometimes inadvertently change answers
• Students should click the Save button every five questions to save their answers unless questions are being delivered one at a time—in which case, they will need to press save on every question
• When ready to submit, students should click the Submitbutton just once

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Facebook

(http://www.facebook.com)

Facebook is a popular social networking site. Facebook can be used to network with friends, colleagues or classmates. People all over the world are using this application. People can “friend” each other to allow access to content.

Facebook features include:

• The account is free; registration is required.
• Facebook allows picture and video sharing as well as sending public or private messages, and has a chat feature.
• Upload photos, post comments, or reply to messages via computer or mobile phone.
• Privacy settings allow users to control who can see content.
• Facebook users can create personal or public group pages.
• Facebook users can join common interest groups.

This application is accessible via both Mac and PC platforms as long as they have a browser and an internet connection. Many businesses use Facebook to market their products and services by creating groups, fan pages, and advertising.

Some other Facebook applications:

• Post updates and announcements
• Collaborate on a projects
• Share information and photos
• Build better connections with students, colleagues, friends, and family
• Facilitate teamwork
• Search for a job

Ready to join Facebook?
Sign up for an account here. Become a fan of TWU Tech Know!

Tip #47: Alter Assessment Settings

You can alter assessment settings even after you’ve initially released an assessment. This ability allows you to release results, answers, and feedback only after all students have completed the assessment.

Here’s how to do it:
1.Go to the Blackboard Control Panel and click on the Content Area where the assessment is located.

2.Click on the Modify button to the right of the assessment. This will take you to the Modify Test page.

3.Click on the Modify the Test options link.

4.Scroll down to the Test Feedback subsection, and check boxes correlating to the kind(s) of test feedback you want to make accessible.
•Score
•Submitted answers
•Correct Answers
•Feedback

5.Scroll to the bottom of the page, and click Submit.

Voicemail Tip of the Week: Phone Forwarding

TWU has a new voicemail system for all permanent faculty and staff. The new system integrates voicemail with e-mail, delivering all messages to both telephone and e-mail. To request an account on the new system, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu and include your name, campus, and telephone extension.


Phone forwarding is the process by which an end user determines when voicemail answers calls. There are two types of phone forwarding available: all and partial. If all call forwarding is set, all calls to that extension are immediately forwarded to voicemail. If partial forwarding is set, voicemail answers after several rings or immediately if busy.

To set all call forward
Pick up the receiver.
Press * 1 81 4646.
Hang up.

To set partial forward
Pick up the receiver.
Press * 2 81 4646.
Hang up.

When using a display multi line phone, FWD SET will appear.

To clear all call forward
Pick up the receiver.
Press # 1.
Hang up.

To clear partial forward
Pick up the receiver.
Press # 2.
Hang up.

When using a display multi line phone, FWD CNCL will appear.

When calling campus extensions using a display multi line phone, the phone system will display the type of forwarding set.
FDB indicates that voicemail has answered the call due to busy status.
FDN indicates that voicemail has answered the call due to no answer.
FDA indicates that voicemail has answered because all calls are forwarded.

Voicemail is available for all permanent faculty and staff. To setup an account, e-mail voicemail@twu.edu from your TWU e-mail account and include name, campus and telephone extension.
Want more information? Call the TWU Helpdesk (940) 898-3971

Microsoft Office Tip of the Week: Document Inspector

Applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

Microsoft Office documents often contain data that should be removed before sharing. Word may have editing changes that appear when shared. Excel spreadsheets may contain hidden rows or columns of data that should not be viewed by others. PowerPoint files may have graphics or text that do not appear on the slide, but are available when the file is opened. For final proofreading before sharing a document, use the Microsoft Office Document Inspector.

NOTE: Before running the Document Inspector, save a copy of the document under a different name. Some changes made by the Document Inspector cannot be undone.

To run the document inspector:
1. Open the renamed/copy version of the Office document to inspect.
2. Click the Microsoft Office Button, point to Prepare, and then click Inspect Document.
3. In the Document Inspector dialog box, select the check boxes to choose the types of hidden content that you want to be inspected.
4. Click Inspect.
5. Review the results of the inspection in the Document Inspector dialog box.
6. Click Remove All next to the inspection results for the types of hidden content that you want to remove from your document.

The following links provide more detail on aspects of the Document Inspector for individual programs:

Word:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100744351033.aspx?pid=CH100996521033

Excel:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/HA100744381033.aspx?pid=CH100648291033

PowerPoint:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA100744371033.aspx?pid=CH100673541033

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Archiving your course in Blackboard 7

Archive your Blackboard course:

1. Access the course you want to archive
2. Go to the Blackboard Control Panel, and click on Archive Course (located in the Course Options category)
3. Click the Archive button
4. Click Submit
5. After you receive the archive completion email, navigate to the Archive Course page again.
6. Right-click the zipped course file and click Save Target As… to save the file to your computer
   
• NOTE: If you are using Firefox, you will use the Save Link As… option instead
7. Click OK

Web 2.0 Tool of the Week: Twitter

Twitter (http://www.twitter.com)

The world is tweeting with Twitter! Twitter, a micro blogging tool, allows users to post messages of up to 140 characters. Users can post via the web, IM, or a mobile phone. Twitter requires users to sign up for a free account.

Considerations for using Twitter:
· Users can “follow” you and you can “follow” them to receive twitter updates
· Accounts can be public or private - you grant permission to allow viewing
· If you block someone, that person won’t be able to follow you or send you any messages
· Posts can be deleted, but not changed
· Users can post and receive tweets on their mobile phone
· Twitter updates can be incorporated in your blog, website, or Facebook
· By using #hashtags you can sort, search, and filter posts. #Hashtags are commonly accepted search terms with a # sign in front. Some of our favorite hashtags relating to higher education and technology are #edtech, #highered, and #geekpoll

Possible uses of Twitter for educators include:
· Keep up with friends or colleagues
· Share updates or announcements
· Take notes that emphasize main ideas
· Send course updates or announcements
· Teach students to summarize ideas or to teach concise expression of ideas
· Share “aha” moments from conference sessions or meetings

There is a community forum available to users. On the forum you can find information on how to use Twitter, as well as contribute to the forum.

Ready to Twitter?
Sign up for an account here, check out this five step guide to getting started and follow us on Twitter

Tip # 46: Limit dropped student access to the course

When students drop a class and are not automatically removed from Blackboard, you can limit their access to the course.

Limiting access to students who drop the course mid-semester
Students who have dropped a course mid-semester will not be removed from your Blackboard course roster. This is designed to allow instructors to keep records of all students in the course. Removing a student from the Blackboard course will delete all information, including grades for that student.

Here’s how to limit access and retain student information:
Navigate to your Control Panel and click the List/Modify Users link. Type the student’s last name, or click search to list the whole class roster. Select properties next to a student’s name. Scroll down to Section 4: Role and Availability. Under Available (this course only) select No. Click Submit.

NOTE: Limiting access to students will not remove them from your grade book. However, the student will no longer be able to log into the course.

Removing Students from a Course
If a student was never enrolled in the course per your WebAdvisor roster, removal of the student may be appropriate. Keep in mind that all student data will be removed including grades, assignment submissions and course statistics.

NOTE: Blackboard roster updates occur several times a day through the twelfth class day. It is possible that during these first days of the semester, students removed from a course will be added back into the course when the roster updates occur. Removing students after the twelfth class day will be permanent.

How to permanently remove a student from the course
Navigate to your Control Panel and click the Remove Users from Course link. Type the student’s last name, or click search to list the whole class roster. Place a checkmark next to the student’s name. Type the word Yes in the box and click Submit.

NOTE: Official student rosters can be obtained from WebAdvisor and compared with Blackboard. Students who are not listed in Blackboard but listed in WebAdvisor should call the Help Desk at 940-898-3791 for assistance.


Want more information?
Step-by-step tutorials are available at: http://www.twu.edu/blackboard/faculty-support.asp
Visit our website: http://www.twu.edu/blackboard, or call: (940) 898-3706.

Voicemail: Out of Office Settings

TWU has a new voicemail system for all permanent faculty and staff. The new system integrates voicemail with email delivering all messages to both telephone and email. To request an account on the new system, email voicemail@twu.edu and include your name, campus and telephone extension.

This tip will give information about how to set out of office status and greeting on the new system.

Setting out of office from your desk telephone:

1. Call the system: 4646 or 814646
2. Press # to access voicemail (system prompt)
3. Enter your security code (system prompt)
4. To set voicemail status to out of office, press 5 (manage personal options) + 1 (change current status) + 7 (out of office).
1. When the system asks you about setting the “until” date for the greeting to play, skip the option. This will not automatically set the greeting on & off. Press 3 to ignore this option. The system will prompt that the status is successfully updated.
5. To record an out of office greeting, press 5 (manage personal options) + 4 (manage personal prompts) + 3 (record out of office greeting).
6. To hear the out of office greeting, press 5 (manage personal options) + 4 (manage personal prompts) + 4 (listen to out of office greeting).
7. When finished, hang up.

Block / unblock message option:

When messages are blocked, voicemail will play the greeting and not allow messages to be left.

1. Press 5 (manage personal options) + 6 (manage announcement only options) + 1 will toggle to block messages or receive messages. The system will tell you if your box is or is not set to receive messages.
2. When finished, hang up.

NOTE: Set the “out of office” on your email. Out of office must be set on both voicemail and email.

Returning to the office & removing out of office from your desk phone:

1. Call the system: 4646 or 814646
2. Press # to access voicemail (system prompt)
3. Enter your security code (system prompt)
4. To set voicemail status to available, press 5 (manage personal options) + 1 (change current status) + 1 (available). By changing status to available, the standard greeting is turned on, and out of office greeting turned off.
5. To hear the standard greeting, press 5 (manage personal options) + 4 (manage personal prompts) + 2 (listen to standard greeting).
6. To record a standard greeting, press 5 (manage personal options) + 4 (manage personal prompts) + 1 (record standard greeting).
7. When finished, hang up.

Block / unblock message option:

When messages are blocked, voicemail will play the greeting and not allow messages to be left.

1. Press 5 (manage personal options) + 6 (manage announcement only options) + 1 will toggle to block messages or receive messages. The system will tell you if your box is or is not set to receive messages.
2. When finished, hang up.

NOTE: Remember to remove the out of office status on your email. Removing out of office must be done on both voicemail and email.

Voicemail is available for all permanent faculty and staff. To setup an account, email voicemail@twu.edu from your TWU email account and include name, campus and telephone extension.

Tip #16: Welcome to the Tips of the Week

Instructional Support Services welcomes you to the fall semester 2009 at Texas Woman’s University. As the semester begins, we would like to offer information about our services and staff. Each week we will be sending out tips of the week featuring various aspects of technology. Tips will be delivered to your e-mail on Mondays and Wednesdays.
On Mondays, you will receive tips featuring such topics as Web 2.0 tools, Microsoft Office, and the new voicemail system. Upcoming topics include:
Utilizing Web 2.0 tools such as Animoto, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Prezi.
Microsoft Office features in Excel and Word that will assist in work processes.
Voicemail tips and tricks including setting out of office and using the fax options.

On Wednesdays, you will receive tips about Blackboard features. Upcoming topics include:
Embedding video in your course
Customizing the homepage
Using the Test Generator
Using RSS feeds in a course

During the semester, we will be offering training sessions and other opportunities to assist faculty and staff with technology integration. Our team is comprised of several staff including:

Jean Mankoff, Director of Instructional Technology Delivery Systems
Jean received a B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Double Major in Education and Physics. She earned a M.S. in Kinesiology and Computer Science from TWU. Her teaching experience covers K-12, corporate training as well as adjunct faculty in the Department of Computer Science. As Director of Instructional Technology Delivery Systems, her team supports professional development, Blackboard, voicemail, videoconferencing, Pioneer TV and video production.

Catherine Dutton, Manager of Instructional Technology Software Applications
Catherine earned a B.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences from Utah State University and a M.A.T. from Texas Woman’s University. She holds a secondary teaching certificate and has taught in both K-12 and higher education for the past six years. She is a doctoral candidate in the Family Sciences program at TWU researching educators’ uses of Second Life.

Vicky Johnson, Instructional Operations Coordinator and Blackboard System AdministratorVicky is a Certified Blackboard System Administrator as well as A+ certified. Vicky has an Associate’s Degree in Business, and earned her B.B.A. from TWU. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Boise State University.

Barbara Ritter, Instructional Coordinator and Certified Blackboard InstructorBarbara Ritter is a certified Blackboard instructor the developer of the Blackboard online course for faculty. Barbara earned a B.A and an M.A. in English from University of North Carolina Charlotte. She holds a secondary teaching certificate in English. Barbara has over 14 years of teaching experience in higher education and has been teaching online since 1998. She is pursuing an EDD in Education with an emphasis on Instructional Technology in Distance Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Corin Walker, Instructional Coordinator and Voicemail System AdministratorCorin provides support for voicemail, Blackboard, Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Word, and AllClear Diagramming Software. Corin serves as the Public Relations Liaison for ISS and works with groups for project analysis and outcomes. She earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and a M. S. in Family Studies here at Texas Woman’s University.

Want more information?
Step-by-step tutorials are available at: http://www.twu.edu/blackboard/
Visit our website: http://www.twu.edu/professional-development
or call: (940) 898-3971