Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Reports! Reports!
Instructors can run reports about course activity which might actually be useful. Check out Control Panel > Evaluation > Course Reports. Reports run as PDFs open as pop-ups, which means instructors will need to override their pop-up blocker.
Course Home vs. Announcements "tool"
It looks like students (all users in fact) control what appears on the course home page. Moreover it looks like the Announcements tool is separate from the Course Home page. We need to think about how to handle this and perhaps how to control it (if we can.) What are the implications for instructors posting announcements?
Admin search for all courses
Finally figured it out. On Admin tab > Courses, to search for all courses, search for Course ID Not Blank, as shown:
% is wildcard for User searches
If you're on the Users search page within the System Admin module, and you want to run a search for everything available in the system, you can no longer just hit "Go." The search won't execute. Instead, to search for everything available, type the % character in the search field, and click Go.
This option only works in the Users search. It doesn't work in the Courses search. Grr.
This option only works in the Users search. It doesn't work in the Courses search. Grr.
Messages tool turned off
I turned off the Messages tool at the system level. No courses should have the Messages tool (the internal messaging system) available for anyone. Faculty should be directed to use Charter Oak webmail instead.
File Uploading and Attachments
The new file upload tool allows you to upload several files at the same time. It also allows to select from previously uploaded files, rather than browsing for them on the computer.
This will save time if you need to upload a lot of files to one spot.
Being able to select from previously uploaded files will allow you to recall an accidentally deleted file, or place files strewn throughout the course in one place. You can also use the list to see if you have uploaded a specific file, instead of having to search for it within the course.
This will save time if you need to upload a lot of files to one spot.
Being able to select from previously uploaded files will allow you to recall an accidentally deleted file, or place files strewn throughout the course in one place. You can also use the list to see if you have uploaded a specific file, instead of having to search for it within the course.
Re: Assignments tool settings
Assignments tool now also allows instructors to create assignments for individual students or groups.
Formatting Issues
When editing a test, finished questions appear to have line-spacing and other formatting issues. I've checked the code behind the questions and choices, and there is no explanation for it. Luckily, this problem is not visible when edit mode is turned off, so students should not be able to detect this.
Menu Views
You can choose from different menu views: list, expanded, and folders. Or you can choose to hide the menu all together!
You can also edit names and locations of items on the course menu, without having to go to the control panel.
You can also edit names and locations of items on the course menu, without having to go to the control panel.
Faculty Information
The faculty information section is edited just like anything else, which on one hand is a good thing. You dont have to go to the control panel to fill out the information and another place to view it. On the other hand, there is no template for what information the faculty member should provide.
Maybe as part of the course template we can provide a brief description of the kinds of things that should be provided in the space.
Maybe as part of the course template we can provide a brief description of the kinds of things that should be provided in the space.
Lesson Plan Tool
The lesson plan tool allows for more structure for lessons. The tool allows the professor to state instructional objectives, giving the lecture more direction and focus.
Administrative Tab
Cannot seem to get "Course Administrator" to Course/Organization Roles table.
I set the permissions for "Instructor" and "Course Administrator."
I set the permissions for "Instructor" and "Course Administrator."
Drag and Drop
BB9 has made it easier to put items, folders, menu items, and files where you want them. Instead of selecting a number order from a drop down menu, you just drag the item and drop it where you want it.
One thing I wish this feature also could do is drop files into folders, like in windows. Consider it a suggestion for BB10, I guess.
One thing I wish this feature also could do is drop files into folders, like in windows. Consider it a suggestion for BB10, I guess.
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