Tag: instructors

Michigan State University is committed to accessibility on all levels. As we move toward a higher degree of dependence on the web to access programs, services, businesses, and activities, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that content is accessible to the broadest possible audience.

MSU departments, employees, faculty, and instructors are being asked to update web pages, online course materials, e-texts, PDFs, and any online content that is used for business and academic activities to meet the current MSU Web Accessibility Policy which includes Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Conformance Level AA. Read Full Article →

ANGEL will be retired on May 15, 2015, as MSU moves to Desire2Learn for its centrally supported learning management system. Many resources are available to support instructors and staff as they transition courses and groups to the D2L.

For a timely conversion, IT Services recommends any course materials and groups are converted from ANGEL to D2L prior to February 1, 2015, so users can experiment and get comfortable with the new system. Read Full Article →

Earlier this year we posted an article explaining what goes on behind the scenes when you log into a computer in one of 60 MSU computer labs.

This follow-up article shares some of the exciting advancements we’ve made to improve computer lab login times.

During spring and summer 2014, IT Services installed new computers in six computer labs including Bessey Hall 211 and 317, Business College N12, Natural Resources 218, Olds Hall 12, and Wells Hall B110G. Read Full Article →

Starting on December 19, 2014, courses that are two years old, development courses that have been inactive for two years, and groups that have been inactive for six months in MSU’s ANGEL system will be deleted.

Associated content and records for these courses will also be deleted.

The ANGEL User Support Team is sending specific messages out to affected course and group administrators listing the courses and groups scheduled for deletion. Read Full Article →

Google Classroom is now available through MSU Google Apps for Education. Classroom is a new tool that helps instructors create and organize assignments, provide feedback, collaborate, and communicate with their classes.

Google Classroom isn’t a fully robust learning management system like Desire2Learn, but it may be useful for blended or technology-enhanced courses needing a space for class communication or supplemental instruction. Read Full Article →

Four outstanding instructors for online and blended courses were selected as recipients of the 2014 MSU AT&T Faculty-Staff Awards in Instructional Technology.

“The AT&T Awards provide a venue for MSU to recognize outstanding faculty and staff whose innovation and creativity inspire others in new ways of using technology in instruction,” said Severin Grabski, lead judge for 2014 AT&T Awards; associate professor in the Department of Accounting & Information Systems, College of Business; and senior faculty advisor to the CIO of MSU. Read Full Article →

MSU IT Services is beginning preparations for computer lab and lecture cart software upgrades for the fall 2014 semester.

Instructors should fill out the Classroom Software Request Form if they need software or a version upgrade added to classroom or lab computers for fall 2014 or spring 2015 courses.

Software requests should be submitted by May 31. Read Full Article →

MSU IT Services is upgrading the Desire2Learn (D2L) Learning Management System to version 10.3 over the summer. In addition, to the upgrade several new integrations will be available.

This upgrade will offer many new features including:

• The ability to upload, publish and share media directly from the D2L environment using the Kaltura MediaSpace integration.

The MSU Attendance System currently available as wall-mounted card swipes in 12 lecture-style rooms will be retired on May 7 upon completion of the Spring Semester 2014.

Historical attendance data will be available on an as-needed basis for one year past the system retirement date.

IT Services consulted with the Undergraduate Assistant and Associate Deans Group, the Learning Systems Advisory Group, the University Classroom Committee, and other academic groups prior to making this decision. Read Full Article →

Starting on May 9, 2014, courses that are two years old, development courses that have been inactive for two years, and groups that have been inactive for six months in MSU’s ANGEL system will be deleted.

Associated content and records for these courses will also be deleted.

The ANGEL User Support Team is sending specific messages out to affected course and group administrators listing the courses and groups scheduled for deletion. Read Full Article →