(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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
Take the SampleExam (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
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:
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
Posts
