A custom nugget for iTunes U integration in Angel. Currently working in 7.3 with plans to have it soon in 7.4. Mostly a course list for courses that have published content in iTunes U. With a single click on the nugget, iTunes U opens with access to authenticated private course materials. Plenty of customizations available in terms of roles. A grassroots created nugget from SUNY/Brockport. Requires a little bit of extra management. Actually it requires quite a bit of extra management to set up. But with limited courses having content in iTune U, it seems to make it worthwhile.
I wonder how the nugget responds to course copy? It seems that the link was attached to the Course ID, so perhaps this would be additional set up each semester for each course. Not sure. Once we have iTune U up and running, this will certainly be something to look at.
Available here: http://www.itss.brockport.edu/~bpost
Thursday, May 14, 2009
AUC09 Grooming the Beast
A bit more techy session - trying to mix it up a little.
Michael Buchanon from Michigan State University covered customizations of the Angel environment. From the simple to the complex. Of most use to us might be the custom nugget creation. Suggested workflow is to copy another similar nugget, alter the code/text as needed, create the INI file for the new nugget to control how and where it will show on the page, and finally add the nugget to the page layout. And I believe the custom nugget needs to be added to both/all servers.
They also have commented CSS for 7.4 theme creation @ http://www.msu.edu/~buchanon/AngelThemes.zip
Michael Buchanon from Michigan State University covered customizations of the Angel environment. From the simple to the complex. Of most use to us might be the custom nugget creation. Suggested workflow is to copy another similar nugget, alter the code/text as needed, create the INI file for the new nugget to control how and where it will show on the page, and finally add the nugget to the page layout. And I believe the custom nugget needs to be added to both/all servers.
They also have commented CSS for 7.4 theme creation @ http://www.msu.edu/~buchanon/AngelThemes.zip
AUC09 iTeach Online
JCCC Teacher Training course/workshop. Instructors who teach online are mostly required (enforcement at the associate dean level) to take a seven week course covering everything faculty need to know about teaching/learning online. Okay, maybe not everything, but there is a core here. The course is offered in hybrid and full online course. Is this something we are missing at KCC? Should online instructors receive training on how to teach in the online format, as opposed to just training on how to use the system - with the occasional best practice tossed in?
The audience for this kind of course would be widely diverse: tech skill levels, disciplines, pedagogical training levels, age, ft/pt, etc…
Within the workshop, instructors experience the role of the student. Examples in the course are given in such a way to demonstrate best practice. For example, a Getting Started module is part of the course and includes all of the skills necessary for students to participate. If there is a discussion requirement, the Getting Started module should include a discussion.
The other clever element to this course is teaching instructors to take screenshots of errors. In the future, if an issue arises the instructor can grab a screenshot and share it with the admin. Awesome idea!
The audience for this kind of course would be widely diverse: tech skill levels, disciplines, pedagogical training levels, age, ft/pt, etc…
Within the workshop, instructors experience the role of the student. Examples in the course are given in such a way to demonstrate best practice. For example, a Getting Started module is part of the course and includes all of the skills necessary for students to participate. If there is a discussion requirement, the Getting Started module should include a discussion.
The other clever element to this course is teaching instructors to take screenshots of errors. In the future, if an issue arises the instructor can grab a screenshot and share it with the admin. Awesome idea!
AUC09 FAQ with Bb and Angel
Most of this was repeat of commitments articulated during the keynote. Some additional answers:
A: No, there isn’t an environment variable such as Bb_MERGER = 0. (haha!)
A: ePortfolio is still coming. Even though Bb already has about 4 other ePortfolio products. The product was ready and is going forward. Will be continued along with Angel 8.0 product.
A: 7.4 product will be supported through July 2012. After that move to Angel 8.0
A: Hosting is still available
A: Costs will remain consistent with usual pricing model (sounds comfortably vague)
A: To get involved with product development send email with areas of interest to ProdMgmt@angellearning.com
A: No, there isn’t an environment variable such as Bb_MERGER = 0. (haha!)
A: ePortfolio is still coming. Even though Bb already has about 4 other ePortfolio products. The product was ready and is going forward. Will be continued along with Angel 8.0 product.
A: 7.4 product will be supported through July 2012. After that move to Angel 8.0
A: Hosting is still available
A: Costs will remain consistent with usual pricing model (sounds comfortably vague)
A: To get involved with product development send email with areas of interest to ProdMgmt@angellearning.com
AUC09 Keynote Notes
A somber tone from Christopher Class, Angel CEO. But it was comforting in a way. A bit more car-salesman tone from Michael Chase, Bb CEO. But maybe like a luxury car salesman, not too terribly smarmy. And a very fatherly, trustworthy tone from Ray Henderson, newly appointed President of Bb Learn division (he was an Angel Chief Product Officer moved into higher Bb exec position – sign of good faith).
The main messages
1. Support structure will remain unchanged. Roughly paraphrasing Chasen, “Who you called yesterday for support questions, is who you will call tomorrow.”
2. Bb admires Angel and wants to learn.
3. Extended product support will continue as promised pre-merger.
4. There will be an Angel 8.0 – development on this begins today.
5. Angel LPS (institutional outcome piece) is joining forces or otherwise being replaced by Bb Outcomes (a separate and already available product)
6. 7.4 is the MOST stable, bug free release ever (but there are still 30 some known bugs).
7. Angel clients are welcome to attend Bb World conference in July in DC. Registration is free!
8. We can contact Michael with questions/concerns Michael@blackboard.com 202-463-4860 x 2201.
Other side Notes
• MyMathLab is/was a Bb product – I didn’t know that.
• We need to look at 7.4 directory layout. We might need to plug into this functionality later, so it will be good to look at. Allows for division specific role assignments and functionality.
The main messages
1. Support structure will remain unchanged. Roughly paraphrasing Chasen, “Who you called yesterday for support questions, is who you will call tomorrow.”
2. Bb admires Angel and wants to learn.
3. Extended product support will continue as promised pre-merger.
4. There will be an Angel 8.0 – development on this begins today.
5. Angel LPS (institutional outcome piece) is joining forces or otherwise being replaced by Bb Outcomes (a separate and already available product)
6. 7.4 is the MOST stable, bug free release ever (but there are still 30 some known bugs).
7. Angel clients are welcome to attend Bb World conference in July in DC. Registration is free!
8. We can contact Michael with questions/concerns Michael@blackboard.com 202-463-4860 x 2201.
Other side Notes
• MyMathLab is/was a Bb product – I didn’t know that.
• We need to look at 7.4 directory layout. We might need to plug into this functionality later, so it will be good to look at. Allows for division specific role assignments and functionality.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
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