This September, Academic Computing is offering many workshops on a range of instructional technologies, including building course websites in SPARK, using Excel for grading, and setting up a Blog. Most sessions are only 50 or 75 minutes long! To view the full schedule and register online, please visit: http://www.umass.edu/accoprod/workshop/register.php Interested in training, but none of…
Category: Announcements
Remember to Request Your Fall 2009 SPARK Course
Avoid the rush! Request your 2009 SPARK course now on the revised request form in SPIRE. To request a SPARK course, log in to SPIRE. Look in the left menu under Faculty Home > SPARK Course Request. The request process has been revised since Spring 2009 and now provides several improvements in the way you…
August Workshops at Academic Computing
This August, Academic Computing is offering several workshops on a range of instructional technologies, including building course websites in SPARK, designing effective presentations with PowerPoint or Keynote, and setting up a Blog. August Workshop topics include: Designing Effective PowerPoint Presentations PowerPoint Basics for Windows and Mac Basics of Using Keynote, Apple’s presentation tool Screencasting with…
SPARK Course Request Form Updated!
Teaching a class this fall? Log in to SPIRE to request your SPARK course. As of this week, we have a new, more flexible way to request SPARK courses and register for SPARK to SPIRE Grade Upload. The course request form is located in the same area in SPIRE – in the left Menu, under…
SPARK Unavailable May 28 & 29
SPARK will be unavailable from 11:59 pm on May 27 to 11:59 pm on May 29 while we perform necessary hardware and software upgrades. We anticipate SPARK will be unavailable for only 2 days; however, unexpected problems could delay resuming service into the first days of the Summer 2009 session. These improvements will keep…
UMass Amherst and Google Join to Offer Google Apps at UMass Amherst
OIT is partnering with Google to launch “Google Apps at UMass Amherst,” a customized version of Google’s popular suite of online productivity and collaboration tools, including Gmail, designed especially for educational institutions. Beginning in late summer, the university’s 19,000 undergraduates will be able to sign up for a Google Apps account, choose to have their…
June Workshops at Academic Computing
Academic Computing is offering a wide variety of workshops for instructors this June. Most are hands-on workshops that allow you to learn new technologies while working with content from your courses. For the workshop schedule, descriptions, and to register, see: http://www.umass.edu/accoprod/workshop/register.php Workshop topics include: Basic Technologies for Teaching & Research Learn how to effectively use basic tools…
April Workshops from OIT Academic Computing
This April, Academic Computing is offering several workshops on a range of instructional technologies, including new workshops on emerging technology topics and workshops specifically for Mac users. Most sessions are only 50 – 75 minutes long. Workshop topics include: Setting up a collaborative website with PBWiki Managing bookmarks with Delicious Mac Tips and Tricks Basics…
Digital Storytelling Event March 2009
Academic Computing is pleased to announce our first “Emerging Technologies and Pie” event of the semester, Digital Storytelling, on Thursday, March 26th, 1:00-2:15 p.m. Digital stories are short, reflective video pieces that traditionally combine photos, music, and narration to tell “real-life stories.” Most stories are 5 minutes or less and consist of compelling, emotionally-engaging personal narratives. This…
SPARK Focus Group
Is there a tool in SPARK that you really love? Is there one you can’t imagine ever using? Is there something missing from SPARK that would transform the way you teach? If so, Academic Computing wants to hear from you! We’re holding a focus group on Thursday, March 19, 1:15-2:00, featuring desserts, coffee, and discussion. The purpose of…
March Workshops at Academic Computing
This March, Academic Computing is offering several workshops on a range of instructional technology topics. Most sessions are only 50 – 75 minutes long, and they hopefully can fit into your schedule. Workshop topics include: Copyright issues for faculty, and finding copyright-free images, audio, and video Working with digital images for Macintosh and Windows Designing…
Departmental Visits for Spring 2009
As a regular service, OIT’s Academic Computing staff is available to come to your department and talk to the faculty or graduate students about the teaching technologies available on campus. In particular, we think new faculty or graduate student instructors would find these sessions particularly helpful. Are you and your colleagues interested in learning more…