(May 9, 2008) The WVU Electronic Student Evaluation of Instruction (eSEI) system will undergo a major upgrade and will be unavailable starting Sunday, May 11 at 8:00 a.m. The upgraded system will provide a single point for ordering online and paper-based SEIs, requests, and reports. The upgraded system will be available on May 14.

Following the upgrade, users may access SEIs through https://esei.wvu.edu/esei, on the Academic Information Services web page (http://labs.wvu.edu/sei), or through WVU eCampus courses, if applicable.

All faculty with SEIs scheduled to close during the upgrade period have been contacted about the dates. If you have not been notified, contact Sara Bishop, sara.bishop@mail.wvu.edu for more information.

Tutorials and user guides, following the upgrade, will be available on the Academic Information Services web page (http://labs.wvu.edu/sei).

For more information, contact the WVU OIT Help Desk at oithelp@wvu.edu or call 293-4444.

(May 7, 2008) Due to the upcoming renovations throughout White Hall, the White Hall Computing Lab will close at midnight on May 11 and remain closed until the Fall semester. The third floor-training lab will remain open for instructional technology training sessions during the faculty academy from May 12 through May 16.

Test scanning will still be available on the downtown campus. A drop box is located in the copier room on the ground floor of the Wise Library. Results are available by email or by pick up at the Evansdale Public Computing Lab.

The Evansdale lab hours have been extended during the summer and the lab will be open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to midnight; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 2:00 p.m. to midnight.

For more information, go to http://oit.wvu.edu/labs/, or contact the WVU OIT Help Desk at oithelp@mail.wvu.edu or 293-4444.

(May 2, 2008) WVU faculty members are invited to attend a series of workshops on using instructional technology in their classes during Faculty Academy Week (May 12-16). All workshops will be taught in Training Lab 1, third floor, White Hall Computing Center. Registration is required. To register, email wjspaw@mail.wvu.edu

WVU eCAMPUS: INTRODUCTION
Kathy Fletcher; Monday May 12, 9-11:30a.m.

GETTING IT TO CLICK: USING PRS CLICKERS and SOFTWARE
Lee Silverman; Monday May 12, 1:30-4 p.m.

PODCASTING Part One: BASICS
ITRC staff; Wednesday, May 14, 9:30-11:30a.m.

PODCASTING Part Two: ADVANCED TOPICS
ITRC staff; Wednesday, May 14, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

WIMBA CLASSROOM
Matthew Christian, Wimba Inc.; Thursday, May 15, 9-11:30a.m.

WIMBA CLASSROOM (repeat session)
Matthew Christian, Wimba Inc.; Thursday, May 15, 1:30-4 p.m.

BUILDING BLOCKS OF INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN
ITRC staff; Friday, May 16, 9:30-11:30a.m.

FACULTY TOOLKIT FOR ONLINE TEACHING
ITRC staff; Friday, May 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Descriptions

WVU eCampus: Introduction
Monday May 12, 9am-11:30am (White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

Learn how to use the online grade book tool available within WVU eCampus, where students can view released grades individually within an authenticated secure environment. Learn how to upload and post an online syllabus in eCampus. Learn how to add content files, create assignments, use the discussion tool, create a simple online quiz, and customize the appearance of a WVU eCampus course section.
Instructor: Kathy Fletcher, Manager of Training, OIT

Getting it to Click: Using PRS Clickers and Software
Monday May 12, 1:30-4pm (White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

This workshop is designed for those faculty members considering the use of the Personal Response System clickers that are available in some of WVU’s technology enhanced (CTec) classrooms. Get an opportunity to learn more about using clickers in the classroom including some tips for success. Practice creating and merging class rosters, creating question slides using the PowerPoint PRS add-in, collecting data from a completed PRS class session, and summarizing results at the end of a session.
Instructor: Lee Silverman, Professional Technologist, OIT

Podcasting, part one: Basics
Wednesday May 14, 9:30-11:30am
(White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

What is a podcast? What technologies underlie a podcast? What content can be included in podcasts? How can podcasting be used for educational goals? What are some simple ways to get started? Come learn the answers to these questions.
Instructors: Chrys Dean, Joseph Nyachae, Lydia Mong, Instructional Designers, ITRC

Podcasting, part two: Advanced Topics
Wednesday May 14, 1:30-3:30pm
(White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

What is iTunesU? How can my podcasts be included as part of WVU’s iTunes presence? Where can I find resources to enhance my podcasts? How can I use software to improve sound quality? Come learn about these and other topics in podcasting. Prerequisite: must attend Podcasting Basics, part one.
Instructors: Chrys Dean, Joseph Nyachae, Lydia Mong, Instructional Designers, ITRC

Wimba Classroom, Getting Started with
Thursday May 15, 9-11:30am … repeated Thursday May 15, 1:30-4pm
(White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

Wimba Classroom is a flexible and powerful communication and collaboration online learning tool which can be used from within a WVU eCampus course section or on its own. This workshop will explore key features for getting started with Wimba Classroom such as: displaying PowerPoint slides, voice and text chatting, using the eBoard as a whiteboard, sharing a computer desktop for demonstrations or collaboration, polling participants, tool settings, and archiving a session for later viewing. Faculty attendees will discover how Wimba Classroom will help students and presenters quickly become comfortable with best practices for an interactive online learning experience. This workshop is appropriate for those faculty members new to Wimba Classroom and for those who wish to fine-tune their online communication and collaboration skills.
Instructor: Matthew Christian, Professional Services Manager, Wimba Inc.

Building Blocks of Instructional Design
Friday May 16, 9:30-11:30am
(White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

This workshop will review concepts in applied instructional design, focusing on learner-centered design and the enrichment of courses with online/multimedia elements. Tools to aid faculty in organizing instructional materials and online resources will be shared.
Instructors: Chrys Dean, Joseph Nyachae, Lydia Mong, Instructional Designers, ITRC

Faculty Toolkit for Online Teaching
Friday May 16, 1:30-3:30pm
(White Hall Computing Center Training Lab 1)

This session includes valuable university resources, time management, best practices in online course creation, tips for engaging learners and motivating them for instruction, effective use of multi-media and a plethora of topics relevant to the online instructor.
Instructors: Chrys Dean, Joseph Nyachae, Lydia Mong, Instructional Designers, ITRC

(April 30, 2008) Computer bundles, available for end-of-year, campus-wide purchase, are posted on the WVU-Dell Premier website (http://premier.dell.com). These specials include three desktop and three notebook systems.

To obtain the required user ID and password to access the site, log a request for a Dell Premier account with the WVU Help Desk (304-293-4444) or contact the WVU Dell Inside Sales Representative, Brian Walker, at (800-274-7799 ext. 7249517 or email Brian at brian_walker@dell.com.

Orders may be placed via the website, or a quotation from the website may be submitted to your EBO.

Dell will ship the order to your location. Please include a building and room number in your shipping address to avoid errors or confusion by the delivery service.

You may order as many units as needed. The configurations have some options available.

Dell currently expects to be able to ship for arrival by June 30 any orders placed by June 15. Get your order in early to avoid any delays.

Selection of any option will add to the final purchase price.

If you have any questions please contact:

Michael Cooper (MHCooper@mail.wvu.edu 293-0777)

Cara Pietrowski (Cara.Pietrowski@mail.wvu.edu 293-9077)

Brian Walker (brian_walker@dell.com 800-274-7799 ext. 7249517)

(April 28, 2008) The West Virginia Higher Education Technology Conference is accepting proposals now through June 16 for presentations and pre- or post- conference workshops for the 2008 conference. This new conference will bring together experts in higher education technology from all over the state to connect, discuss, and learn about the latest in technology and the future of education.

The conference program committee is looking for a broad spectrum of topics pertaining to technology and higher education. This year’s theme is Technology in Higher Education - Challenges, Strategies, Innovations.

The opening session keynote speaker is Mark Greenfield, a highly regarded, influential member of the higher education web community. He is an accomplished speaker who frequently presents at a wide range of higher education conferences and meetings where his thought provoking commentary on the impact of emerging technology on college campuses challenges audiences to rethink their basic assumptions about web communications.

The closing session keynote speaker is Dr. Malcolm G. Lane, professor and head of the Department of Computer Science at James Madison University since 2000. Dr. Lane has over 20 years of experience in international information and communications technology projects with state and federal governments around the world. Dr. Lane served as professor of computer science at West Virginia University and as AT&T Visiting Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Pittsburgh.
The conference will be held at Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa in Morgantown, West Virginia, September 29 - October 1.
To submit a proposal, visit the conference website (http://www.wvconference.com).