ET@MO Tips & Tricks Newsletter

New Blackboard v.8

MU upgraded to Blackboard to version 8 on May 27. 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. Read about the new features. If you would like help implementing the new Blackboard tools over the summer, e-mail blackboard@missouri.edu and we’ll set up a time to meet with you. We will also be hosting more formal “back to school” sessions in August, the dates and times for which will be announced soon.

Apply now for the Series on Academic Transformation

Do you have a course with a high student : faculty ratio? Need to reduce instructional costs? Are your students struggling to visualize specific concepts? Would you like to explore authentic assessment for your course or program with e-portfolios? The Series on Academic Transformation has helped other MU faculty and departments meet these and other types of challenges with effective integration of educational technologies. Sponsored by Educational Technologies at Missouri (ET@MO), this two-semester project provides MU faculty teams with support and assistance in redesigning one or more courses. More information about the Series on Academic Transformation is available at ET@MO's Web site.

7 things you should know about Multi-Touch Interfaces

Multi-touch interfaces are input devices that recognize two or more simultaneous touches, allowing users to interact with computer applications through swipes, pinches, rotations, and other actions that allow for richer, more immediate interaction with digital content. These devices and supporting applications also facilitate collaborative creation, permitting several users to work simultaneously on a single screen. 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.