Canvas Conferences – Updated User Interface

Kent Barclay New Feature / New Release ,

HTML5 User Interface Update as of April 20, 2019

The BigBlueButton Conferences interface has been redesigned using HTML5 for improved usability. This change makes the Conferences interface faster and easier to use and removes the requirement for extensions or plugins such as Adobe Flash for audio/video sharing and Javascript for screen sharing.

Supported Browsers:  Firefox or Chrome on desktop and Safari or Chrome on mobile devices.  Note: The new Conferences interface is not supported on Internet Explorer or Edge browsers.

To Learn More

Watch this 6 minute Big Blue Button – Moderator/Presenter Interface video

Watch this 5 minute Big Blue Button – Viewer Interface video

Try out our new Google Jamboard!

hedrickacadtech classroom technology, collaboration, Google

Academic Technology has recently acquired a Google Jamboard that faculty are welcome to try with students. A Jamboard is basically a giant touchscreen whiteboard on wheels. Jamboard’s main function is collaborative brainstorming. The built-in app throws together handwriting recognition, shape recognition, freeform sketching, photos, clippings and group-created post-it-style ideas into a live workspace.

The Jamboard app can be simultaneously used by students on their laptops or phones so everyone in class can contribute even if they aren’t standing at the board. And since it’s part of G Suite, all files are saved to Drive and can be shared with collaborators.

Google offered the Jamboard to Endicott for a very low price (less than 20% of the retail cost) because it wants to see how higher ed faculty use the new device in order to develop some case studies. So please contact Hedrick at hellis@endicott.edu to schedule a quick demo and to see if you might want to try it with your students.

Canvas New Features Update

Kent Barclay Canvas

Canvas releases new features, updated features and bug fixes on a 3 week cycle which translates to 16 releases per year. Important changes that you should know about as you build your Fall 2018 courses are summarized below as well as on the What’s New in Canvas page. 

  • Student Dashboard List View allows students to view all course tasks in a list format or To Do format. This change helps students manage all tasks across all their courses in a user-friendly format that also allows for user customization.  Learn more about Student Dashboard List View .
  • Non-Scoring Rubrics can be created without point values to create a non-scoring rubric. This feature promotes learning engagement by helping students focus on assignment feedback instead of point values. Learn more about non-scoring rubrics.
  • Rubric criteria can now include a point range instead of an individual point value. Learn more about this rubric criteria range option.
  • Modules, Assignments, Discussions and Pages can be duplicated. The duplication option is located in the Settings menu for each individual item. 
  • Recent Announcements can automatically display on the Home page by changing a course details option.
  • Announcements and Discussions have updated designs to improve accessibility for all users.
  • Student View is available on Home page sidebar so you don’t need to open Course Settings to access student view.

Canvas Tips – Spring 2018 Workshop Handout

Kent Barclay Guidelines, New Feature / New Release, Tutorials

For those who can’t attend the Canvas Tips – Spring 2018 workshop this spring, I’ve linked to the Google doc handout that I put together for the session and also embedded it in this blog post.   So, check out the tips for each category by clicking on the hyperlinks for details on how to access and implement the feature(s) and contact me if you have any questions!

Canvas Workshops – Dec, 2017 – Jan, 2018

Kent Barclay Canvas, Training, Workshops , ,

Embedded below is a calendar with the workshops available for Dec, 2017 and January, 2018. Click on the session for a full description and an RSVP link. If you would like to see them in a list format, click the AGENDA button at the top right of the calendar.(click here if calendar does not load)
PS – While you are here, enter your email on the right and subscribe to our BLOG 🙂

New Canvas Integration – Respondus LockDown Browser

Kent Barclay Integration, New Feature / New Release, Tutorials ,

Are you looking for a way to prevent students taking an online Canvas quiz from accessing any outside websites, printing, copying or accessing other applications  during the quiz ?   If yes, then consider requiring students to use the Respondus LockDown Browser,  which is now available within Endicott’s Canvas platform. 

Learn More about how to require students to use the LockDown Browser with a Canvas quiz with these resources:

 

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