new2011

=What's New?= “Times, they are a changing”. A new Blackboard (9.1), a new Windows (7), and copyright policies. Learn the brief on all of these at this one hour workshop.

Windows 7 Coming

 * All new Dell computers being rolled out this Spring for faculty and staff will come with MS Windows 7 operating system.
 * Over the Summer, all Dell computers in the computer labs and smart cabinets in the classrooms will be upgraded to MS Windows 7

So what?

 * The differences between Windows 7 and XP are not significant but the look and feel has changed a bit.
 * Your files, network drives and printers will all work as before
 * Most computer applications will work the same but some specialty applications may not. Check with ITS or the application vendor to learn more.
 * MS Office 2007 and Lotus Notes will remain at the same version.
 * MS Internet Explorer will be upgraded to latest version.
 * You may be still working on Windows XP in your office and then using Windows 7 in your class rooms.

What are the key differences?

 * Task bar - New look
 * Jump lists - Lists of open windows
 * Shortcuts for placing windows - drag to edges
 * Explorer windows - more details
 * Ribbons - Ribbons menus in more Windows Apps
 * Libraries - New ways to organize media files
 * Internet Explorer 8 -

For more information

 * []
 * Windows 7 - First Look Part 1 Review
 * Windows 7 - First Look Part 2 Review

Blackboard 9.1

 * This summer Blackboard will be upgraded to the latest version. This new version is a significant upgrade will a large number of new features, enhancements and replacements.
 * Log into Blackboard 9.1 and give it a test drive at http://cluster-test.mymru.ca. Use your normal username and password to log in and you will find your a copy of your courses there for you to experiment with. If you are going to start making changes that you want to keep, make sure you download an archive of your course.

**So what?**

 * The differences between version 9.1 and the current version 8 of Blackboard are significant enough that you may feel disorientated in the new version.
 * Yes, you can ignore the new features until you would like to try them but the user interface is different enough that you will need a bit of an orientation to find your familiar tools.
 * But all of your courses will be transferred over for you when the production server is upgraded.

What is different?

 * New Interface
 * Left Column collapsible and holds more
 * Look for double arrows as they are pull out menus to manipulate objects without having to go to control panel
 * Turn on and off edit mode - Off is student view
 * Course menu - Easier to manipulate without going to the control panel
 * Control Panel - Accessible in the frame on left, from any page.
 * Wiziwig editor on/off switch
 * Tools page combined - Communications and Course Tools combined
 * Help Screens are better
 * Content Areas
 * Tool bar for adding content -
 * Drag a Drop for ordering things - Content pages, tests and discussions
 * Learning Modules - Folders of learning content with control for sequencing and table of contents
 * Lesson Plans - folder of content with descriptions to help complete the instruction it contains.
 * Syllabus Builder- Create a syllabus or attach a file
 * New File Management
 * Upload and download files and link to them.
 * Drag and Drop upload interface
 * Upload zips and unzip on server
 * Set up Web(DAV) folders - This is folder on your computer that automatically syncs with the files in your course. For Windows 7, insert an "s" in the http part so it reads https://....
 * New Mashup tools
 * Youtube - Search and insert link to videos on youtube with thumbnail and attributions
 * Slideshare - Search and insert link to Slideshow presentations on Slideshare with thumbnail and attributions.
 * Flickr - Search and insert link to photos on Flickr with thumbnail and attributions. Advanced options includes a License search filter for Creative Commons licensed photos.
 * Can add Mashups to most fields - eg. groups, content, test items etc.
 * New Interactive tools
 * Journals - Private journals for students that only the instructor can access, can be for individuals or groups but only the owners can view.
 * Blogs - Personal, Class or group blogs. All class members can view and comment.
 * Wikis - Editable webs pages for class or groups. Groups wiki can only be edited by group members but viewed by whole class.
 * New Notification System
 * New Customizable Module Page that can hold various widget like modules on the page. New Landing page for course or units.
 * New Notifications settings in some Course Modules or My Places to control notifications via email, mobile or dashboard from Blackboard for new announcements, posting etc.
 * Blackboard Scholar
 * Social bookmarking system linked to http://scholar.com
 * Sharing bookmarks and comments within your class
 * Share bookmarks and comments with scholars from anywhere
 * Set up stream of feeds into your course.
 * Networking tools for you and your students to build networks with scholars
 * Set up a profile, favorites list and add people to your friend or fan lists.
 * Enhancements
 * Assignment tool -
 * Removed Digital Dropbox
 * Multiple attempts
 * Group assignments
 * Group Tools
 * Create Group Sets - Create multiple groups with similar characteristics.
 * Personalization of groups allowable. - Groups can personalize their group spaces by adding a Group Homepage with Course, Group and Personal Module, and selecting a colour and banner.
 * Group assignments - Group can submit one assignment on behave of the group.
 * Group blogs, wikis and journals - Members of group can contribute to single blog, wiki or journal.
 * Group Task Lists - Share tasks with group members
 * Links to Group tools and resources now appear below Course Menu
 * Self-enrollment - Students can select and enroll themselves into groups. - Can also make these signup sheet only.
 * Student can be allowed to create their own self-enrolled groups.
 * Fixed problem with discussion forum - We used to have to create a forum for the students to use in each group. Now one forum is created automatically.
 * Grade Centre
 * Grade test anonymously - Hide the student information from the assessments while grading
 * Grade by item - Grade the same item on each test
 * Needs Grading Page - Filters just the items needing grading.
 * Grading rubrics - Create a rubric and link it to an assignment or test for look up when grading.
 * Contacts - Replaces Staff Information
 * Removed
 * Digital dropbox
 * Student home pages
 * Email option for announcements
 * Views by dates of past announcements.
 * Notifications - My Places
 * Add a photo of yourself that will appear be your postings.

Learn more about Blackboard 9.1

 * Blackboard 9.1 Introduction
 * What's New in Blackboard 9.1

Resources about Copyright
>
 * Copyright guidelines for MRU faculty and staff
 * Blackboard 9.1 Mashup Tools
 * Creative commons filtering on flickr
 * Attributions automatic for adding media
 * Insert media in most locations of your course
 * Find MRU Library resources here
 * ADC's List of useful resources links
 * ADC's Tutorials on Copyright Procedures
 * __How to make a permanent link with DOIs __ __(Accessible version) __
 * __Making non-DOI permanent links to library resources __ __(Accessible version) __
 * MRU Library Copyright information page.
 * Link builder tool
 * [|Open Educational Resources Commons]
 * Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT)
 * Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
 * The Free Libary
 * Morgue File - Open Photos