Collaborate Mobile 2.0 Beta – Testers Wanted!

We are kicking off the Collaborate Mobile 2.0 Beta program next week and are looking for a focused group of participants. Please register here if you would like to participate.

What’s in 2.0

Collaborate Mobile v2.0 will have some added features and a fresh look and feel. Users will be able to:

• Transmit and Receive Video
• Participate in a Web Tour
• Receive Multimedia Library Content (audio and video files pushed by the moderator)
• Participate in Private and Group Chat

Program Dates: 

• What? The Beta program is currently scheduled to kick off on Thursday, September 4^th and will conclude Thursday, Oct 9th.  We will only meet during the kickoff, but testing will be continuous with weekly surveys to analyze feedback. Please register through this link-https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QG3LLGD.
• Who? Collaborate users, specifically Faculty and Students. A limited number of both iOS and Android participants will be selected. We will reach out directly to those who are eligible to participate
• What's the time commitment? Participants are expected to participate in weekly surveys to give feedback on experience
• Requirements: The Beta programs require signature of a Beta Agreement by the institution. This agreement will be distributed before kickoff.

Additional questions? - Email marissa.dimino@blackboard.com

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Get Involved! Thank you for being a part of the BIE and helping make Blackboard the best it can be! If you know someone at your institution who may want to participate in any of these activities, please forward this email to them! If this email was forwarded to you and you'd like to receive BIE communications directly, please register here. Stay in touch @Blackboard.

DL Tip of the Week - Student Engagement

This week’s tip is about "Engaging Students" in your online courses. 

Mid-term is over, both students and faculty should be fully engaged in the course.  It’s time to take a moment and do a mid-term engagement check.  Here are a few questions to ask  yourself, that will help keep everyone on track for the remainder of the term.

    Have you provided feedback on mid-term grades?
Tip: Students expect regular and prompt feedback on their assignments in an online class. Let students know when and where to find your feedback. If you're going to be delayed in posting feedback for any reason, let the students know in the class Announcement area or in a private message to that individual student.

·   Have you responded to student emails?
Tip: Whether you use the course messaging system or school email to communicate with your students, it is important to respond to their emails in a timely manner.  Be sure to check your email often and provide prompt replies.

·   Have you provided thoughtful feedback and guidance to students on the class discussion board?
Tip: Providing guidance to the students through class discussion is critical to learner success.  Leaving students to discuss amongst themselves can lead to misguided conversations and misunderstanding of topics they are learning.  When using a discussion board, it is important to not only moderate but participate.  Discussion boards are a great way to share your real-world knowledge and experience regarding the discussion topic.

·   Have you checked the grade center to see how your students are progressing?
Tip: If you  notice that students are missing assignments or nearing deadlines, reach out to them with concern for their progress.  Weekly and/or bi-weekly announcements are a great way  keep students aware of your expectations and it also let’s students know that you are engaged in the course. Post an announcement for the entire class reminding them of critical due dates and a review of what to expect for the remainder of the semester. 

Engagement Tool:

Blackboard Collaborate is an excellent tool for engaging your online students.  Check out 10 Cool Ways to Engage With Blackboard Collaborate

Login to blackboard, in the eCourses sub-menu, click on Instructor Resources to  learn more about using Blackboard Collaborate.

Submitted by Wendy Davidson

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If for any reason the links appear broken, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.

Remember if you need assistance, please let a member of the DL Team know.

• Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
• Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
• Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)