• Oct. 2, 2007

Sales and specials at the Union Computer Store

by Chris Loehr, K-State Student Union Computer Store
published Oct. 2, 2007

Several specials are going on at the Union Computer Store:

Faster assistance on test-scoring

by Sarah Silva, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 2, 2007

The scanning machine used for grading is now in the Media Development Center (213 Hale Library). Its proximity to the IT Help Desk will allow more timely assistance for those needing help scanning test-scoring forms or uploading to K-State Online. Hours of availability are in last week's article. For more about using the scanner, see these instructional handouts:


TechBytes Oct. 4: Social Bookmarking

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 2, 2007

"Social Bookmarking" is 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in 501 Hale Library (Hemisphere Room). Social bookmarking is used to collect and organize online research materials, allow groups to collectively gather Internet information, and is an easy way to keep and access your bookmarks on any Internet-connected computer. This presentation will show you the conveniences, benefits, features, and how to create social bookmarks using tools such as Diigo, del.icio.us, and Digg.

TechBytes seminars are free and open to the K-State community. The series is also video streamed live for off-campus viewers and those who wish to view it from their desktop. See the TechBytes site for handouts, videos, and resources from previous seminars, plus a link to the next live video.

October programming on K-STATE TV

by Traci Taylor, Educational Communications Center
published Oct. 2, 2007. updated 8:42 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

The Educational Communications Center creates original programming that can be seen on K-STATE TV -- Cox cable and Wildcat cable channel 8. New programs airing this month include:

  • Experience Russia
  • Reading the Rocks
  • three new Show K-State programs

David Procter, Center for Engagement and Community Development, hosted the Show K-State features this month and will introduce viewers to Research and Extension's project "Our Community: A More Colorful Place," K-State's Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy, and the Regional and Community Planning graduate degree program.

The Landon Lecture Retrospective series continues with the highlighted speakers now changing weekly. Doris Kearns Goodwin is featured this week, and next week is Senator Howard K. Baker. See the site's Landon Lecture page for weekly updates on featured speakers.

Visit the K-STATE TV website for the October viewing schedule, more details about new programs being offered, and information about ongoing program series.

eTips Oct. 10: Grading quickly with Scantron forms, K-State Online

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 2, 2007

The next eTip session will be "Quickly grading in-class assignments/exams with Scantron forms and K-State Online" 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10. The session will be held via K-State Online's Wimba tool, which allows online collaboration and sharing through any networked or wireless computer.

eTips registration is required at least 24 hours in advance to allow time to add you to the session and ensure your workstation is configured properly for accessing the session.

Last week's first eTip session, "Conducting Webinars via Wimba," included these highlights:

  • Tips on tools used in Wimba
  • References to Wimba guides
  • Review of NACADA's history conducting webinars
  • Tips on best practices for conducting a webinar

Those interested in seeing the archived session can contact Cathy Rodriguez, cathyr@k-state.edu.

IDT Roundtable Oct. 11: Developing online teaching material with Microsoft Producer

by Swasati Mukherjee, Office of Mediated Education
published Oct. 2, 2007

The next IDT Roundtable is "Developing Online Teaching Material with MS-Producer" 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, in Union 212. Roger McHaney will introduce Microsoft Producer and demonstrate how it can be used to develop online class material. McHaney is a professor of management information systems and a Coffman Chair for the University Distinguished Teaching Scholars (2006-2007). Producer supplements Powerpoint 2003 and allows streaming audio/video to be developed on your desktop computer with a webcam and microphone. This material can then be posted and used by students with access to K-State Online.

Registration and refreshments start at 10:45 a.m. RSVP by contacting the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, 785-532-7828, catl@k-state.edu.

Mac happenings: Mac 101, upcoming sessions, myksuapple.com

by Eric Holderness, K-State campus student Apple representative,
and Betsy Edwards,Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 2, 2007

Last week in the Mac 101 session, about 20 attendees learned how to customize their Mac so it's better suited for their specific needs. This was done via System Preferences. Those who missed the session but want details and information about future tutorials can e-mail ericholderness@mac.com and/or Anderson.ksu@mac.com.

Tutorials on iPhoto 101, Garageband 101, and Podcasting 101 are being planned for this semester. Stay tuned for upcoming details.

The myksuapple.com website (maintained via iWeb) is up and running, with big changes ahead. If there are specific things you'd like to see on the site, use the e-mail addresses on the site to tell us.

Security tip of the week

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month

by Harvard Townsend, IT security
published Oct. 2, 2007

Despite the technological advances in security, the user still plays a critical role in combating threats to K-State's information and technology resources and individuals' personal identity data. Functioning safely online begins with awareness -- awareness of the threats, awareness of best practices for protecting yourself and the information you access, and awareness of the resources available to assist you.

To help increase user awareness, October has been designated National Cyber Security Awareness Month. To that end, SIRT is hosting a security training event Oct. 31 in the K-State Student Union. A schedule and registration information will be published soon in InfoTech Tuesday.

Many other resources are available to help with security awareness. Please take the time to learn about your responsibilities and turn that knowledge into action that results in a safer online experience for you and proper protection of K-State's information and technology resources.

K-State Online

A place for students

by K-State IT staff
published Oct. 2, 2007

Creating a place for students to meet and interact in K-State Online fosters a learning community. Building connections between peers can build greater buy-in for team activities, peer reviews for quizzes, and the final exam. Faculty should establish netiquette quidelines early, so students understand the expectations for keeping K-State Online courses a safe place to learn and share.

Consider creating a student lounge in your course by making an open area in the message board for students. Dedicate this area for students to post questions, discuss topics, and share ideas. Set some lounge guidelines for students to follow, and make sure students know this area is not for personal conversations unrelated to the course.

How to get Word 2007 training?

by Cathy Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published Oct. 2, 2007

How can I get Microsoft Word 2007 training?

Currently, training for Word 2007 is only available on the Web. See Microsoft's online tutorials.

Spotlight

K-State employees, ExpanSIS win distance education awards

by Rosanna Vail, Division of Continuing Education
published Oct. 2, 2007

K-State has received multiple Great Plains Region awards from the University Continuing Education Association for its distance education faculty, staff, and technologies. K-State received four of the nine regional awards presented, the most the university has received from the association at one time.

The awards were presented at the association's annual joint Great Plains-Mid-America Conference in Evanston, Ill., Sept. 28. The following K-State individuals and programs were honored:

  • Elizabeth Stevens, associate dean of continuing education since 2001, was awarded the John L. Christopher Outstanding Leadership Award for her leadership contributions to K-State, the University Continuing Education Association and its Great Plains Region, and the field of continuing education. Her leadership success includes participation in the development of more than 30 partnerships between K-State and community colleges in the Great Plains Region.
  • Ann Murray, associate professor in K-State's School of Family Studies and Human Services, was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award. Murray has received several awards for her contributions to online teaching and learning, distance students, and course delivery in the past few years.
  • Aaron Stroot, administrative officer for continuing education credit registration, received the Outstanding Support Specialist Award for his strategic involvement in K-State management systems, such as the Student Information System, Enterprise Information System, and Legacy Application Systems Empowered Replacement Student Systems Project.
    • National awards for ExpanSIS

    The ExpanSIS system also won two national awards recently:

    • 2007 Outstanding Work Award
      from the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications
    • 2007 Creative Use of Technology Award
      from the Association for Continuing Higher Education
  • The ExpanSIS multi-institutional student information system received the Innovations and Contributions Award for technological services and functions in managing distance student information. ExpanSIS is a secure system that provides a consortium of universities with access to needed student data, including course scheduling and mapping, registration, enrollment, grades, reports, contact information, and student tracking. ExpanSIS was co-developed by the Institute for Academic Alliances and the K-State office of mediated education.

"These awards speak to the excellence in teaching and service provided by dedicated faculty and staff for the outreach mission of the university," said Sue Maes, interim dean of continuing education. "K-State is truly proving to be a leader in online delivery across the Midwest."

For more information about K-State's award-winning distance education programs and a listing of continuing education opportunities, visit the DCE website or e-mail informationdce@k-state.edu.