Learning through MASHUPS in Bb 9.1

The Mashup tool is a fun new option that will be available in Blackboard 9.1. This tool will allow your professors to include media from websites directly into your Blackboard course work, making the learning environment more exciting and fulfilling for you as a student. By using a Mashups your professor can deliver course content through videos, images, and other media from familiar sites right to your Blackboard course.

I am sure you are familiar with YouTube, but maybe you haven't heard about flickr or slideshare. In Blackboard 9.1 these three sites can be used to create interaction in discussion boards, test questions, or blogs.

YouTube: A site for viewing and sharing online videos.



Flickr: A site for viewing and sharing photographic images.



Slideshare: A site for viewing and sharing PowerPoint presentations, Word documents,
or Adobe PDF Portfolios.

Stay tuned for more info on what is coming to you in Blackboard 9.1.

Wiki Learning in Blackboard 9.1

The Wiki feature coming to Bb 9.1 is an exciting new tool that you as students of JSU will have access to.

Do you ever get frustrated with group projects because of the difficulty collaborating with classmates? Well, collaborating through a Wiki will make group projects simple. Everything is done on a document, and all classmates will have access to the document. All you and your classmates need is a computer and a web browser. Classmates will have the ability to edit your contributions to the project, and you'll be able to edit their work as well. Don't worry about confusing editing options. Editing a Wiki is as simple as editing a word document, but don't forget to click save.

This YouTube video is a great "In Plain English" explanation about the concept of Wikis.

INTRODUCING BLACKBOARD 9.1

Coming to JSU in the Fall of 2011
BLACKBOARD 9.1

You are familiar with Blackboard, but get ready for the new and improved version - Blackboard 9.1. There are many new features in 9.1 that will expand the online learning environment and make it more exciting. Mashups promise to add visually engaging content to your online classroom. Wikis will now be available in Blackboard 9.1, which will allow you and your classmates to collaborate on projects, and all you need is your web browser! Learning modules are available in the current version of Blackboard, but have been updated for 9.1, and may be used by your instructor to structure content and promote easy course navigation. Also included in the Fall release of 9.1 are gradable Blogs and Journals, which allow you to share your thoughts and ideas about the course with your classmates and instructor.

So don't miss out! You can stay in the know by following the DE student blog, and watching for weekly insights into the new tools and technology available in Blackboard 9.1.

BLACKBOARD GOES MOBILE

The Office of Distance Education hopes to make your learning experience more convenient and engaging than ever before. Beginning today, Blackboard Mobile Learn is available for students and faculty at JSU. Blackboard Mobile Learn features modules that bring the campus experience and two-way teaching and learning to the mobile device, making it possible to access and interact with announcements, assignments, course content, discussion boards, and grades on the go. Blackboard Mobile Learn is available for download as a free application on any Apple iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch via Wi-Fi only, and on Sprint Android and Blackberry devices. Click here to view device demos. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Distance Education at dlhelp@jsu.edu.

JSU's first doctoral program, a 100% online Doctor of Science in Emergency Management, has been approved! This will be the fifth 100% online program in the Department of Emergency Management. Visit http://www.jsu.edu/distance/degrees/index.html for a complete list of online degrees and programs.

Misty Cobb, Director of Distance Education at JSU, discusses with NBC 13's Wendy Garner the variety of courses offered at a distance and the advantages of online course delivery.

Jacksonville State University and ProctorU now offer students the opportunity to take their exams anywhere through the use of a webcam and a reliable high-speed internet connection. Please visit http://www.jsu.edu/distance/fac_res/ProctorU.html for more information about using ProctorU.

Blackboard Maintenance Scheduled - On May 28, 2010 at 9:00 p.m. until May 29, 2010 at 7:00 a.m. (Central Time), Blackboard will be unavailable while maintenance is completed. Please plan course activities in consideration of this schedule. Thank you!

5 ways to stay motivated in Distance Learning environment!

Many distance learners agree that the most difficult part of studying online is staying motivated. Because students must take the initiative to complete their courses completely on their own, without the physical presence of teachers and other peers, many students find it easy to become distracted and discouraged in their work. Don’t let this happen to you – plan ways for yourself to stay motivated before you’re tempted to stray from your books. Use these five motivational tips to stay on task....(click here to read more)

Blackboard is JSU's primary online course management system. If your instructor chooses to utilize the Blackboard system to teach your online course, or to supplement other types of courses, you can find information about Blackboard at http://www.jsu.edu/distance/blackboard/. If you are unsure of the location of course content, please contact your instructor.


Helpful tips:


To access a course, click the course in the "My Courses" module on the right-hand side of the "My Blackboard" page. If you are a student and do not see your course, it is the first day of classes or after, and you know you have been registered for the course at least 24 hours, please contact the instructor of the course to find out when the course will be made available for student access.


Your Blackboard User Name is the prefix of your assigned JSU email address. Your default Blackboard Password is the four (4) digits of your birth month and day plus the last 4 digits of your JSU ID number, not your social security number (i.e. if your birthday is February 29th and the last 4 digits of your JSU ID number are 4321, then your Blackboard Password would be 02294321). We recommend you change your password the first time you login.


Also, please remember that Jacksonville State University has established a 24/7/365 Blackboard support environment, which includes the following technical support options for all students and faculty:
24/7/365 Phone Support: Blackboard users may call 877.216.7064 to receive technical support for Blackboard and supporting software such as Respondus LockDown Browser and SafeAssign.
Support Portal: Blackboard users may visit the support portal at http://jsubbsupport.com, which includes options such as live chat and knowledge base articles.

The Office of Distance Education is seeking students who are enrolled in online courses and are interested in serving as a member of a NEW Distance Education Student Focus Group. The purpose of this focus group is to, upon request, provide feedback and opinions regarding Blackboard and other educational technologies and services supported by our office. Please note that this focus group will not have face-to-face meetings, but will instead conduct all meetings online. Selected students will be asked to serve from the date of selection through the end of the Fall 2010 term. Another call for student applications for the 2011 year will be issued in the Fall 2010 term. Please note that students will not be excluded for consideration based on graduation date.

If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please send an email to DLHelp@jsu.edu with "STUDENT FOCUS GROUP" in the subject line. Be sure to respond to the questions found below.

The deadline for receipt of the email application is Monday, March 1, 2010. Selected students will be notified via email during the week of March 1.

PLEASE RESPOND TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

Name:

Major:

JSU email address:

Classification (i.e., Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate):

Approximately how many online courses have you completed? Please include and indicate courses completed via distance education at JSU and other institutions.

Please explain why you feel you should be selected for the Distance Education Student Focus Group.

We are excited to announce that these courses will be added ONLINE in Summer 2010:

• Sociology 310 - Marriage & the Family
• Geography 220 - Human Geography
• Criminal Justice 310 - Criminal Behavior & Rehabilitation Strategies
• Criminal Justice 527 - Seminar in Criminal Behavior and Personality
• Criminal Justice 311 - Correctional Techniques, and
• Finance 311 - Personal Financial Planning

Contact the appropriate department for more information about each course, and look for more updates about online course offerings!

The Office of Distance Education is pleased to announce that Jacksonville State University has established a 24/7/365 Blackboard support environment, which includes the following technical support options for all students and faculty:

24/7/365 Phone Support: Blackboard users may call 877.216.7064 to receive technical support for Blackboard Learn version 9 and supporting software such as Respondus LockDown Browser and SafeAssign.
Support Portal: Blackboard users may visit the support portal at http://jsubbsupport.com . From the portal students and faculty may select from the following options:

• Live Chat: Blackboard users may use the chat tool to contact support representatives 24/7.
• Submit a ticket: Blackboard users may submit a support ticket to a technical specialist whose expertise matches the support inquiry. This online tool provides an alternative to phone and e-mail and helps expedite the resolution of the issue. Users can track the status of the ticket in My Support.
• Online self-help: Blackboard users may access the online knowledge base that contains more than 600 support references. The knowledge base is constantly updated, expanded, and refined to ensure that Blackboard users have access to the very latest information.

Please note that the Office of Distance Education has also created faculty and student versions of Features in Focus that provide feature specific instructions for various features in Blackboard. Student version videos have also been created for select features. These reference materials are available in the Faculty Resources and/or Student Resources section of the Distance Education website: http://www.jsu.edu/distance

The Office of Distance Education wishes to recognize the generosity of others who helped to bring 24/7/365 support to JSU: Deans Carr, Fielding, Hammett, Latham, and Wade; Mr. Vinson Houston, Acting Vice President of the Division of Information Technology; Dr. Tim King, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs; and Dr. Rebecca Turner, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs.

Debunking Common Myths about Online Classes at JSU

Debunking Common Myths about Online Classes at JSU

Myth #1: There are few if any online programs or courses offered at JSU.

Fact #1: In Fall 2009 there were 181 online courses. Additionally as of Fall 2009, there are 19 online degrees and programs from which students can choose.

Myth #2: Online courses do not have the same quality learning experience as face-to-face, traditional courses.

Fact #2: According to the student evaluation of distance education services given at the end of each fall and spring term, since Spring 2005, 91 percent of students completing the evaluations report the same or better learning experience in an online course as that of a traditional course.

Myth #3: Online courses, certificates, and degrees are not accredited.

Fact #3: Jacksonville State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor’s, master’s, and educational specialist’s degrees. Specific areas within JSU are also accredited by national accrediting agencies. Therefore, every class you take at JSU whether in the classroom or in online is regionally accredited.

Myth #4: Employers won’t accept degrees earned in an online format.

Fact #4: This myth is simply untrue. In fact, according to the Credibility of Online Degrees survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management, “76 percent of human resource professionals said online degrees are viewed more favorably than five years ago. And more than half of the 573 human resource professionals that SHRM surveyed in the United States said individual courses taken through online universities rate equally with traditional university courses.” Another survey conducted in 2006 by the Distance Education and Training Council indicated “100 percent of employers said there was no difference in performance between workers who had online degrees and those with traditional diplomas.”

Myth #5: My JSU transcript will indicate which, if any, classes that I have completed online.

Fact #5: Your JSU transcript in fact has no indication of which classes are completed in the classroom and which are completed online.

Myth #6: Credits earned online will not transfer.

Fact #6: If the traditional class is accepted for transfer credit, the online class would be as well. As mentioned in a previous fact, your transcript does not indicate the format in which a class is completed.

Myth #7: Not many people take online classes at JSU.

Fact #7: In the Fall 2009 term, 3,281 students were enrolled online courses. In fact, enrollment has steadily grown since 2000.

Myth #8: I live in a dorm on campus so I cannot take online courses at JSU.

Fact #8: There are no residency requirements or restrictions for taking online courses at JSU. Whether you live on campus or in another country, JSU’s online courses are open to all JSU students.

Myth #9: If I complete my degree from JSU online, I am not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Fact #9: All students earning a degree from JSU are invited to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Myth #10: If I take an online class, no one will help me if I have a problem.

Fact #10: As in traditional courses, instructors of online classes are always ready to help. Additionally, the Office of Distance Education staff are available via phone and email to provide technical assistance. Distance Education’s website also has a self-help knowledge base and customized Blackboard student guides to help students navigate their way through online courses using Blackboard.

Myth #11: I have a Mac. Online courses at JSU are not compatible with my Mac.

Fact #11: Online classes that utilize Blackboard are compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems. For specific system requirements for compatibility with Blackboard, visit http://www.jsu.edu/distance/blackboard/bb_sys_require.html.

Myth #12: If I take an online class, I will not have a JSU professor as an instructor.

Fact #12: All faculty of JSU’s online classes are indeed employees of JSU. While faculty have various ranks and classifications from adjunct to instructor to professor, all are employed by JSU.

Welcome to At the Center of DE - a blog for JSU DE Students

Welcome! Here at JSU, our mission is to provide quality education through a student-centered approach. JSU provides challenging, high–quality coursework to students, along with the resources necessary for success in a distance education environment, including technical support, library services, and administrative support. We strive to meet the needs of all students, whether on or off campus, by utilizing an ever-expanding set of technological tools that provide flexibility of scheduling as well as the opportunity to achieve personal and professional goals. The Office of Distance Education will use this blog site to provide information about the technologies and tools that allow students to arrive at "Where You're Going."