Starfish 5

Starfish 5 is coming soon.

• “Raise Your Hand” allows a student to flag him/herself.
• On-Screen Waiting Room.  A URL that shows wait the wait time is at a service center.
• Tracking Tab more user friendly w/ roll over functionality and better filters.  
• Better Filtering should allow us to identify student attributes like PTK or Honors

See screenshots here.

Bb Grader

Device Requirements:

•iOS, iOS7, iOS8

•iPad Air, iPad mini, iPad 2, 3, or 4

Things I noticed: 

·         As an instructor in the Bb Grader app I couldn’t see what I entered under comments in an assignment as a test student

·         In the Bb Grader app inline grading annotation - comments can be added.  (Draw, highlight, text box, or strikethrough are not available.)

I think this app will come in very handy for those who need to grade on the go! Try it out.

Be sure to visit the feature guide AND  how to information to learn more about how to use the app.

from Lorraine Sturgeon at Owensville.

Blackboard October 2014 Update

Start Date:          December 19, 8:00 PM

Duration:             48 hours

KCTCS currently uses Bb Service Pack 13.  Bb has changed its update nomenclature to month and year of release.  KCTCS will be adopting the October 2014 release.

Beta has already begun an the verdict is that the new release is very stable.  While new features are present, most of the benefits appear on the back end with improved stability and functionality of existing features.  For example, Bb Collaborate no longer requires Java and will open without having to download and run a Java file.  SafeAssign is integrated with the gradebook.  An expanded student preview allows instructors to view the course as a student and even takes tests as a student.  Read more about features in Bb’s Mobile Learn Update, October 2014.

Looking ahead. . . Bb is beginning tests on a major interface change...but we would not see this for a year at least. . .