ET@MO Tips & Tricks Newsletter

Blackboard v.8 upgrade this summer

Coming May 27th - MU will upgrade Blackboard to version 8. The new version replaces the current Gradebook with a completely redesigned Grade Center. Two all new tools, SafeAssign (an intellectual property checker) and Self and Peer Assessment (tools for guided review of work), are included, as are updates to the Discussion Boards. For more details, see our Blackboard 8 documentation. If you have questions about any of these new tools or need assistance, please e-mail blackboard@missouri.edu.

Accepting applications for the Series on Academic Transformation

Have you identified challenges in one or more of your courses that, if you could overcome them, would improve teaching and learning? Consider applying for the two-semester Series on Academic Transformation to improve teaching and learning through the use of educational technologies. Sponsored by Educational Technologies at Missouri (ET@MO), this project can assist up to 10 MU teams committed to redesigning one or more key courses. More information about the Series on Academic Transformation is available at ET@MO's Web site.

7 things you should know about Ning

Ning is an online service where users create their own social networks and join and participate in other networks. No technical skill is required to set up a social network, and there are no limits to the number of networks a user can join. With functionality similar to that of sites like Facebook and MySpace, Ning allows instructors to use social networks in a neutral setting to help facilitate a strong sense of community among students and encourage personal interactions that can lead to the creation of new knowledge. Download the PDF of this full article. This information is provided by the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative's (ELI's) 7 Things You Should Know About… series which provides concise information on emerging learning technologies and related practices.