On the Horizon
Coming Soon
Computing and Communications continually evaluates, tests, and pilots new technologies that hold promise for improving UCR's instructional environment. Associate Vice Chancellor Chuck Rowley, C&C's Instructional Technologists, the Academic Senate, and faculty at large provide input on the systems and tools that are evaluated and ultimately deployed.
Below, please find a partial list of some of the projects that C&C is currently supporting. Please e-mail Chuck Rowley with your thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
Blackboard 9
R'Web
iGrade
Life Sciences 1500
Academic Intervention / Early Warning System
Blackboard 9 (iLearn)
Fall Quarter 2009 will see the roll out of the latest version of Blackboard. Version 9 will feature a new blog and journal tool, Instant Messaging and a more intuitive Web 2.0 interface. The look and feel of Blackboard has been changed as well as the navigational features of the course web site. C&C will be providing more information as we get closer to the rollout date.
R'Web
R'Web offers various UCR-related tools and resources by concentrating new web-based applications into a single location. There are success tools and resources that will provide you with academic and personal growth and support. You can select and review campus organization sites that you may want to get involved with. Additionally, you can customize your portal experience by adding features that you want to see. Take a test drive at http://rweb.ucr.edu/
Podcasting @ UCR
UCR’s General Assignment Classrooms are now equipped for automated audio capture. C&C has acquired and installed servers to host this audio content and make it available via Podcasting within your iLearn course site.
For more information about Podcasting @ UCR, please contact Israel Fletes (israel@ucr.edu).
iGrade
iGrade is a new system for faculty that allows grades to be uploaded directly to the campus Student Information System from a web browser. As of Fall 2008 iGrade is the default method for submitting grades to SIS.
iGrade provides the following functionality:
- Authenticated login with UCR NetID and password.
- Faculty see their current course list and rosters.
- Allows faculty to assign grades via a web interface.
- Allows downloading of a course roster to Microsoft Excel.
- Allows uploading of grades from Microsoft Excel.
- "Audits" grades per Student Information System rules.
- Posts the grades.
For additional information on iGrade please email Mark Nicolay at mark.nicolay@ucr.edu or visit http://cnc.ucr.edu/igrade.
Life Sciences 1500
This Winter 2009 quarter, Computing & Communications completed a technology upgrade to the Life Sciences 1500 lecture hall. This new C+ profile, consists of a dual projection system, annotation panel, and dual touch panel controllers.
The lecture hall counts on two high powered LCD projectors, 6500 lumens! Faculty will now, more than ever, be able to mix and match sources such as: Computer & Laptop, Laptop & Document Camera, or Video & Computer. This becomes highly valuable for the faculty interested in using clickers software and posting the questions or lecture material on a second display. The possibilities are endless!
Academic Intervention / Early Warning System
The Early Warning System is a set of tools within iLearn that allow faculty to define and track student performance metrics for specific course items. The Early Warning System can alert faculty to students who may be struggling, and allows the instructor to proactively intercede on the student's behalf.
A pilot program was initiated in the Spring quarter of 2008 with the Office of the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Learning Center and Computing & Communications acting as partners. In the Pilot Program instructors volunteered to use iLearn to track their students' progress and coordinate with the Learning Center to offer supplemental instruction.
The Office of Undergraduate Education has been collecting data on students who have gone through the program to determine the effectiveness of the program.
For additional information about participating in the Early Warning System, please contact Mark Nicolay (mark.nicolay@ucr.edu).