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Welcome Back Faculty!

Welcome back College of Business faculty!

I hope you had a pleasant and relaxing break.

Here are some answers to some common questions. I hope this helps, as I know this will be a busy week for us all.

I need technical support – who do I contact?
You can email FITS@depaul.edu

Online resources can be found at:
go.depaul.edu/remote-teaching

My students need technical support – who should they contact?
Students with technical issues should be directed to the helpdesk:
helpdesk@depaul.edu
https://helpdesk.depaul.edu

How do I activate my D2L course?

  • Go http://D2L.depaul.edu
  • Your inactive courses will be branded INACTIVE on the course image.
  • Hover your mouse pointer over the course image on the D2L homepage and click on the three dots that appear on the top right of the course image.
  • Click on Course Offering Information.
  • On the Course Offering Information page check Course is Active.
  • Click Save at the bottom. Your course is now activated. Students will see your course listed in their My Courses widget when they log in to D2L.

How do I email my students via D2L?

  • Click Classlist in your course navigation bar. The Classlist page will open; it displays a list of the students in your course.
  • Click the Email Classlist button at the top of the page.
  • Click on the Students tab. A page will open that displays a list of students who will receive the email.
  • Click the Send Email button at the bottom of the page. A new window will open with the email addresses of all of your students listed in the BCC field, a blank subject line, and a text-editing area.
  • Enter your subject and message in the appropriate fields.
  • Click the Upload button if you want to add an attachment to your email, and locate the file on your computer (optional).
  • Click the Send button in the upper-left corner of the page when you are done composing your email.

How do I copy content from a previous D2L course?
There are two ways you can copy content from a previous D2L course into an upcoming course:

  • Manually. Full instructions can be found here.
  • Request that FITS makes the copy for you. This course copy will typically take two business days. The process to follow is:
    • Go here.
    • Click on Copy Course Content.
    • On the next page, enter your Campus Connection Username and Password, then click on Login.
    • Select the course you want to Copy From.
    • Select the course you want to Copy Into.
    • Click on Submit.
    • On the next page, verify that the information you have provided is correct, and then click on Submit.

How do I merge two D2L courses?
You may find it easier to merge D2L courses if teaching multiple sections of the same course. This means you only have to use one course to teach multiple sections. The process to follow is:

  • In your D2L course, click on Edit Course and select D2L Request Forms.
  • Click on Combine Course.
  • Choose your Primary Course.
  • Select the To be combined courses.
  • Click on Submit.
  • Click on Submit.

Where do I get training on how to use D2L?
There are multiple ways that you can get training on how to use D2L effectively:

D2L Essentials
CTL offers a self-paced online workshop that covers the basics of D2L. For more information and to register, please visit here.

Individual Appointments
You can meet virtually with a FITS consultant who will work with you one-on-one. You can schedule here.

D2L Guides
The Teaching Commons has extensive videos and teaching guides that you can explore here.

DOTS Materials
You can access the materials by making a request here.

I need help creating my online exams. What do I do?
Instructions on how to create D2L quizzes are here.

On that page, you will see links to:

  • Quiz creation request form
  • Meet with FITS staff

Is the Mini-Studio available?
The Mini-Studio is not available at this time. However, you can work with our video producer remotely:

  • Theophilus Jamal
  • ojamal@depaul.edu

My home internet connection is slow. What should I do?
Your WiFi may be at fault. WiFi is a shared medium, and interference from your neighbors’ networks, electrical devices, etc. will result in network congestion. Using a wired ethernet connection from your router to your computer will improve your experience.

Is Zoom running properly? How do I check?
You can check the status of Zoom by visiting: https://status.zoom.us

Is Panopto running properly? How do I check?
You can check the status of Panopto by visiting: http://trust.panopto.com

I want my student to create a video. Are there instructions?
Student instructions can be found here.

I am recording videos to the Cloud with Zoom. How long will they be available?
120 days. After 120 days they will be automatically deleted. You can download your videos from Zoom and upload to Panopto and D2L.

I am teaching an Online Hybrid course. Do I need to record my live sessions?
No – recording is at your discretion. Recording is generally preferable but may not be appropriate from some courses. However, please tell students in advance what your process is.

Do we need student permission to record a Zoom session in which students participate?
No. However, it is always good practice to inform students. You only need permission if you are sharing the video outside of class.

I have questions about BluSky/BlueKey. Who do I contact?
You can email bluesky@depaul.edu

Instructions and documentation can be found at: http://bluesky.depaul.edu

I want to use a Zoom+ or Trimodal classroom. Who do I contact?
Academic Space & Scheduling has devised a form in 25Live (go to Rooms.depaul.edu or https://25live.collegenet.com/pro/depaul)

The Trimodal rooms are:

  • Daley 402
  • DPC 5901 (For College of Business use only)
  • Lewis 1405
  • Lewis 1406
  • Lewis 1407
  • O'Malley 343
  • O'Malley 344


Any other resources to share?
Yes – I have video recordings and resources from recent Tech Tuesdays sessions here:



All the best for a productive and rewarding quarter. I hope the information here helps.
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Library News For Faculty

Reposting from the Library...

If you have been at DePaul for any length of time, you know that we take pride in the fact that "the city is our classroom" and in the many academic programs that take advantage of the opportunities the city provides for teaching, learning, and research. The DePaul University Library has been a long-time partner to academic programs that, in the spirit of our strategic plan, aim "to deepen the university’s distinctive connection to the global city of Chicago." For example, many of you know that we contribute to the "Common Hour" instruction that takes place as part of first-year program’s "Chicago Quarter" courses (and are currently assessing the impact of that contribution as part of a research grant funded by the Association of College & Research Libraries). For classes conducting Chicago-centered research, librarians also provide specialized instruction and research consultations that promote more informed use of popular and scholarly sources documenting the life of the city. We also provide specialized service for those wishing to learn more about the city through our Chicago Collection and our Chicago Research Guide(s). We collect rare books, manuscripts, and other materials as part of our Chicago collections in the Department of Special Collections and Archives and are active partners in the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative. Finally, and most recently, we have established active partnerships with colleagues at our nearest neighbor in the cultural heritage community as part of DePaul’s partnership with the Chicago History Museum.


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VLC Media Player

vlc-screenshot2

DePaul faculty will be pleased to know that the VLC media player is now installed on all classroom PCs again (thanks to Joshua Luttig from IS for the update). The VLC Media Player is a “free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVD, Audio CD, VCD, and various streaming protocols.” - In other words it plays pretty much any video file out there.

On classroom PCs, look for it under:

Music & Video / VideoLAN

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Workshop: Teaching for Success

The first Teaching Commons workshop of the academic year starts next week. Caryn Chaden and David Kalsbeek will be presenting, and Melissa Koenig and Rana Husseini will be providing some teaching-related resources. Lunch will be served.

More info can be found here:

“Teaching for Success”

One of the great things about teaching at DePaul is the diversity of our students, including their educational backgrounds. However, this broad range of learners can present challenges for instructors who strive to ensure that all of their students thrive in the classroom and succeed at DePaul. Come to this workshop to learn more about DePaul's diverse student body and about teaching strategies that help increase student engagement while achieving your course goals.



  • Thursday, September 27, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM (DePaul Center 8011, Loop Campus)
  • Friday, September 28, 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM (Library 300, Rosati Room, Lincoln Park Campus)


RSVP here
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"It's-a me, Mario!" – What playing videogames taught me about effective online course design

mario-2012

I presented ("It's-a me, Mario!" – What playing videogames taught me about effective online course design) at the 2012 DePaul Faculty Teaching and Learning Conference on Friday. The webpage and handouts for the presentation are now live, and can be found here.

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The Spring Quarter classes are now loaded in Desire2Learn

newhome6

The Spring Quarter classes are now loaded in Desire2Learn, and ready for you to use. These classes are currently hidden from student view, but can be made available in three mouse clicks.

Here are some quick suggestions for you, as you prepare for the Spring Quarter:

1) Sign up for a D2L Workshop
FITS (Faculty Instructional Technology Services) runs regular workshops and open labs that cover all aspects of Desire2Learn. You can register for a workshop here:

http://fits.depaul.edu/workshops/Pages/default.aspx

Online tutorials and PDFs can be found here:

http://teachingcommons.depaul.edu/Technology/d2l/index.html

2) Attend the “Desire2Learn for Busy Faculty” Session on Tuesday, 28th February
This session is designed to help Commerce faculty quickly create a Desire2Learn course from scratch in less than 15 minutes, and to highlight how DePaul supports faculty using technology.
This hands-on session will cover:

  • How to create a course in less than 15 minutes, including:
    • Uploading all your handouts and resources
    • Creating a news announcement
    • Creating a D2L user profile
    • Creating a D2L discussion board
    • Emailing your students
    • Activating your course
  • Copying a D2L course
  • Adding guest presenters and teaching assistants
  • Deactivating a course
  • Embedding a YouTube Video
  • Linking to online resources
  • D2L resources and training

The D2L session will be held in
DPC 6306 (the trading room on the 6th floor of the DePaul Center) on Tuesday, February 28th. 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m
DPC 6306 is a PC-equipped room. You will be able to update or create your D2L course during the session.

You can RSVP for the session at:

http://condor.depaul.edu/jmoore/tech/

3) Request a Course Copy
D2L allows you to manually copy course components, but you can also make a request to have a previous course copied into an upcoming course. Typically this will take 24-48 hours to complete. The process to follow is:

  1. Go to the FITS website at http://fits.depaul.edu
  2. In the green box on the right side of the screen (FITS Quick Links) click on D2L Request Forms.
  3. On the next page, click on Copy Course Content.
  4. On the next page, enter your Campus Connection Username and Password, then click on Login.
  5. Select the course you want to Copy From.
  6. Select the course you want to Copy Into.
  7. Click on Submit.
  8. On the next page, verify that the information you have provided is correct, and then click on Submit.

4) Make Your Course Available
By default your Desire2Learn course is unavailable. Your students will not be able to see your course until it is made available. To make your course available:

  1. In your D2L course, click the Edit Course link on your course navigation bar, then click Course Offering Information.
  2. Check the Active: Course is active box.
  3. Click on Save.

5) Send An Email Announcement To Your Students
Your Desire2Learn course allows you to send email messages to your students. This is an easy way to send out your syllabus to your students before the class starts.

  1. In your D2L course, click on Classlist.
  2. Click on the Students tab.
  3. Click on Email everyone on this tab.
  4. In the floating window, compose your message, and then click on Send.

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Desire2Learn for Busy Faculty: Updated Handout

d2l-tips-and-tricks

I have updated the handout for “Desire2Learn for Busy Faculty” - This document is intended to provide advice and suggestions to College of Commerce faculty creating web enhanced, online and hybrid courses using the university’s Desire2Learn Learning Management System. The document is not intended to replace the extremely helpful videos and handouts that FITS and Teaching Commons have provided here.

Instead, this is a simple guide for assembling a D2L course in less than fifteen minutes. I hope this is use to you.

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MPT Videos For New (And Existing) Faculty

DePaul MPT (Media Production and Training) has created some extremely informative and entertaining videos for new faculty. The first video provides new faculty with an overview of what they need to know on their first day:



The second video explains how to use classroom technology:



Although both videos are designed for new faculty, existing faculty (and staff) can still gain some knowledge from watching them.
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New DOTS Session

DOTS

The DePaul Online Teaching Series (DOTS) is a faculty development program that trains and assists faculty to become successful facilitators of online learning. The program has been operating since 2008, and empowers DePaul faculty via an immersive, hands-on training experience. Faculty are introduced to online-learning best practices, innovative use of technology, quality standards for course development across all delivery formats, and are guided through the development of exemplary course sites for online and blended instruction. Numerous Commerce faculty have used the DOTS program to launch highly regarded online and hybrid courses.

The program also provides faculty with:

  • Technology Kit that includes a tablet PC or MacBook, web cam, headsets, and software
  • Knowledge and skills to facilitate online learning
  • Stipend of $500 at beginning of training and $1000 at completion of online/blended course delivery and course review.
  • Certificate of Completion with letter of commendation from the Provost
  • Course design support from Faculty Instructional Technology Services (FITS)

Two new DOTS sessions have been scheduled, and seats are already starting to disappear. I highly recommend that Commerce faculty consider applying before it is too late. The upcoming sessions are:

Spring 2012 DOTS (quarter-long format): Apr 13 through May 25


Application Deadline: Dec 2nd
Acceptance/rejection notification: Dec 9th

Faculty can apply for the Spring 2012 DOTS at http://fits.depaul.edu/Pages/DOTSApply.aspx

Summer 2012 DOTS (three-week intensive format): June 11 through June 29


Application Deadline: Mar 30
Acceptance/rejection notification: Apr 6
Faculty can apply for the Summer 2012 DOTS at http://fits.depaul.edu/Pages/DOTSApply.aspx

More information about the schedule can be found at http://fits.depaul.edu/Pages/DotsSchedule.aspx

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DOTS II: DePaul Online Teaching Series II

DOTS

In addition to DOTS program, FITS offers a DOTS II training program to prepare faculty to teach (instead of designing a course) online. DOTS II, which is completely online, consists of two tracks:

  1. Building Community (Aug 8 through Aug 14)
  2. Making the Most of Synchronous Tools (Aug 15 through Aug 22)

Faculty can take one or both tracks.

Detail description of the programs and registration form are available here.

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