Monday, September 10, 2012

IMPROVING RETURN RATES FOR STUDENT EVALUATIONS OF INSTRUCTION


Advising Evaluation Link:
https://legacy.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/forms/surveys/academic_advising/login.php

Instruction Evaluation Info:
https://ites.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/modules/student_evals/student_evals.php


Student Evaluations of Instruction are completed online; the link is posted on the college Web site when evaluations are active.  The strategies outlined below will help improve return rates. 

·        Announce evaluations of instruction to your class and share with students the evaluation link.  When you stress the importance of evaluations to students, students respond.
·        Share the evaluation links with students via email.  Either PeopleSoft or Blackboard can be used to send group email to your students.
·        Post the link in your Blackboard Course shells.  Placing the link inside Blackboard is easy—plus this gives students a place they can go to see the evaluation link. 
·        In Blackboard, track the students who have clicked the course evaluation link or, via adaptive release, make completion of a course assignments conditional upon clicking the link to the evaluation. While we cannot force students to complete the evaluation, Bb tracking features allow you to know which of your students have visited the evaluation.  
·        Set aside class time to complete evaluations via tablets, smart phone or laptops or send students to open computer labs to complete the evaluation.  Any Internet enabled device can access the student evaluation.  Open computer labs are provided for student use on every BCTC campus. 

You are not in this alone.  The administration will also take the following steps:

·
  • Post prominent reminders on the college Web sit
  • Email the evaluation link to students.
  • Place the evaluation link in the BCTC Student Information Module in Blackboard.
  • Send students a telephone reminder (automated message with location of link on College Web site)

HOW TO. . .

EMAIL STUDENTS USING BLACKBOARD
·        Open Blackboard from the college Web site.
·        Enter your course shell and click “tools” then “send email”.
·        Select “all student users”.

EMAIL STUDENTS USING PEOPLESOFT
·        Log into Student Self Service from the college homepage.
·        Scroll down to the Faculty Center and click the class roster icon : 
·        Click “select all” and then “notify all students”.

PLACE A LINK IN BLACKBOARD
·        In a Blackboard Content Area, click Build Content / Web Link.
·        Cut and paste the evaluation link into the link window.

TRACK STUDENT ACCESS OF THE BB LINK
·        Hover over a link you have created and click the down arrow.
·        Select “Statistics Tracking (On/Off)”.
·        Choose “On” then click submit.
·        To view statistics, click Evaluation / Performance Dashboard.
·        Click the number under “Review Status” by each user.

ADAPTIVE RELEASE
·        Hover over an assignment you wish to restrict and click the down arrow.
·        Choose “Adaptive Release”.
·        Under Item 4, “Review Status”, click Browse.
·        Select the link to the student evaluation.  Students must now click that link before they may submit the assignment, test, etc.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Anti-cheating Tips

Great article couresy of Kevin Dunn:

http://www.educause.edu/ero/article/addressing-academic-dishonesty-age-ubiquitous-technology


KEY POINTS (taken from the article):
  • Technology can help fight cheating that is itself based on technology, especially with tweaking of assignments and assessments in a way that makes it difficult to cheat.
  • Students should be made aware of resources such as university writing centers and tools such as Endnote.
  • Training about copyright, plagiarism, and time management can help students succeed without feeling that they have to cut corners.
  • Relevant codes and policies should be clearly stated in communications such as orientation materials, student handbooks, and course syllabi to establish expectations and reduce confrontations between instructors and students.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Blackboard Mobile

A major upgrade to the Blackboard Mobile App (IOS, Android) is due out in mid-September.  I will post additional information about that app here.  Feel free to use the the comment feature to post your insights.

Information on Bb's Web site
https://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Mobile/Products/Mobile-Learn/Features.aspx

Email from System Admin (9/4)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1xlh4gveijhcx9o/Bb%20Mobile%20App.pdf?m


*UPDATE*
the app is now available in the iTunes Store 

A fee IS required for use.  Verdict on the app so far. . . it is doing a better job of letting students access Bb content.  It is not handling multimedia well and should not be used to take tests and/or quizzes.  There is much less functionality for instructors.




Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Edmodo

Edmodo is a free educational resource that combines CMS features with a Facebook-like interface.  This might be a great option for those of use who want an Bb or Facebook experience that does not involve authentication with KCTCS userIDs or connections to personal FB accounts.  Think of guest lectures, group projects with students in other classes, colleges, etc.

More at www.edmodo.com

Friday, August 24, 2012

New MyLab Options

Linked below is information about a new MyLab initiative sponsored by the System Office. It will allow students to pay for MyLab a part of their tuition for your class thus giving them instant access to MyLab at the start of the semester.

http://db.tt/Gk2d6sON


Additional questions have surfaced about how this fee structure will work.  Answers are linked below.  I will update that link as new information becomes available:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bxy9szldjzyahwp/MyLabsPlus%20Questions.docx

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Fall 2012 Blackboard Training

The sessions linked below are offered online out of the System Office in Versailles.  There are some great sessions. . . 

The Fall 2012 Training Schedule is now available. We are offering 25 sessions scheduled throughout the semester; everything from browsers to apps to course design and maintenance. Check out the schedule here or find it on the Blackboard portal. You do not need to register for the trainings, simply click the "Join" link on the schedule at the appropriate time. You will also be able to add the sessions to your Outlook calendar by clicking the Outlook icon on the schedule.

All sessions will run 30-60 minutes and held through Bb Collaborate. Sessions will be archived for those who cannot attend live.

New to Bb Collaborate? You can check your system requirements here and you can go through an online orientation for BbCollaborate here.



Friday, August 10, 2012