Blackboard Tasks and Google Tasks

Getting organized is often initiated by the always reliable and almost always accomplished to-do list. 

 

With Blackboard Tasks and Google Tasks you will stay organized and mark off completed tasks in no time. 

Blackboard Tasks --  

The Blackboard Tasks tool organizes various tasks such as activities and projects and prioritizes these tasks.  Below is a link to a video explaining how to stay organized by managing your Blackboard tasks.

http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_student_managing_tasks.htm

*Note--tasks may not be available depending on instructor.  

**Clicking on the above video link will take you to content provided on the Blackboard Learn, Release 9.1 On Demand Student Learning Center site @
http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm -- Blackboard Inc. 1997-2011



Google Tasks --

Google Tasks allows you to create custom To-Do lists and add task items to your Google Calendar.

The following link provides information on creating Google Tasks from emails as well as creating tasks through your Calendar or on your mobile device.  Simply click on the Learn More link located below each item (Gmail, Mobile or Calendar) to access further information on adding and customizing task items.  


http://mail.google.com/mail/help/tasks/

**The content in the above link directed to Google Tasks Help is owned and provided by Google -- Google, 2012. 

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Google Calendar Tool

Google Calendar is a simple and free tool available through your SU email account.  Using Google Calendar will help you remember every must attend event and paper/project due date.

Below is a video on Creating Events in Google Calendar.

**This video was taken from The Google Channel on Youtube, Google's official Youtube channel.

 http://www.youtube.com/user/Google

Please visit the Google Calendar Help Center for further information regarding Google Calendar setup and topics.

Google Calendar Help Center -- 

http://support.google.com/calendar/?hl=en&ctx=ausers

More Google resources can be found on the SU Help Desk page @ -- 

https://sites.google.com/a/su.edu/su-help/google

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Blackboard Calendar Tool

Who said the New Year is the only opportunity available to pledge improvement?  I am going to pledge improvement in September.  This month I vow to be more organized.  Thus, the blog this week will be dedicated to exploring various technology tools available that will assist in getting and staying organized.

Today's Tool --

Blackboard Calendar

Note: Your instructor controls which tools are available. If this tool is not available, your instructor may have disabled it.

The Bb Calendar tool allows you to view events by day, week, month, or year. You can view and organize upcoming and past events into categories. Personal Information should be placed on your Google Calendar located within your SU email environment not Bb.

You will see different options in the calendar depending on where you access it. When you access the calendar through a course only those calendar items that relate to your course appear.

Course Calendar events appear to all members of the course. Common entries include upcoming tests, due dates for assignments, or special lectures. If you access the calendar while in your course, you will only see the entries you have added.

How to Open the Calendar 
 
1. On the Course Menu, click Tools.

2. On the Tools page, click Calendar.

 

 

**Remember to visit the Blackboard Support page for other helpful tutorials and instruction sheets.

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Mobile Technology is Changing the Face of Education

To inspire your weekend I offer an Atomic Learning infographic share.  The infographic offers statistics regarding technology in the 21st century classroom and demonstrates the impact of technology on the classroom experience.

Click to read more...
Mobile Technology is Changing the Face of Education

**This infographic was taken from the Atomic Learning Blogsite -- http://blogs.atomiclearning.com/
Atomic Learning, Inc. 2012

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A Welcome and Reminder

Before delving into topics concerning technology, I would like to take a paragraph or two to introduce myself and welcome everyone to the new school year.  A boisterous and happy hello to all!!  I am Katherine Shook the new Technology Support Liaison at SU as well as the new contributor to the student technology blog.  

A little about myself--

Before moving to the Winchester area I lived in Athens, WV where I received my BA in English/Literature from Concord University.  I later acquired certifications in Blackboard and HTML and worked at Concord under an assortment of professional hats including Academic Web Designer and Blackboard Administrator.  My personal hobbies and interests include movies, music, painting, hiking, reading and writing. 

As promised--
The Technology Portion

As a self-proclaimed SU newbie, I would like to highlight the value of the SU Help Desk website.  I know this information has been mentioned before in this blog, but I think there is some benefit to reiterating the worth of this site.  

Provided below is a list summary underlining Help Desk site attributes.

1. The site provides useful campus technology resources.  There are links to a number of helpful tutorials and videos on Blackboard, Google, Mac, and so on.
2. The site contains very informative sections on News, Google Announcements and Tech Tips.
3. The navigation is intuitive for users.
4. The search feature works nicely when you are in a rush and do not have time to scroll through menu items.  
5. The experience is customizable.  When logged in you can add gadgets that are visible only to you.  Featured gadgets include--Google Calendar, Google News, Twitter and YouTube.  

In essence, there are a variety of useful links and gadgets on this site.  

Bookmark it -- www.su.edu/helpdesk

...and remember to like and connect to the ICHelpDesk on Facebook and follow on Twitter @hornetshelpdesk

 

 ICHelpDesk Facebook

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GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY! COME TO THE STUDY ABROAD FAIR TO LEARN MORE

It's only two weeks away!

On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Shenandoah University Study Abroad Fair will take place in Brandt Student Center from noon until 3 p.m.

What's in store during the fair? You'll see the choices and options you have to study or volunteer abroad during five travel seasons, have the opportunity to speak to students, faculty and staff who have been abroad with SU, and have an opportunity to learn how to apply for Global Citizenship Project (GCP 2013) before the Monday, Sept. 17 deadline.

Want more information now? Simply log into Blackboard and click Global Citizen on the main page. For more information on GCP and the Study Abroad Fair, contact Study Abroad Adviser Jean Hayes at jhayes@su.edu

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STUDENT PRINTING ENHANCEMENTS FOR FALL 2012

This month, SU began its second year of student printing with the WEPA system. Last year, using WEPA helped the university save  nearly 3,000,000 pages over the previous year, a 50% reduction. This year, there are a number of enhancements and changes of interest to new and returning students. 

• Save money by printing your pages two-sided. The university will provide a $0.02 reduction on the second page for all duplex printing. Otherwise, the page cost of printing remains the same at $0.09 for black and white and $0.49 for color prints. Last year's print credit, provided to help with the transition to a new printing system, will not be offered this year.  
• Students will be able to tag their WEPA account, linking it to any card with a magnetic strip on the back, such as their SU ID card. A tagged card makes logging in to a print kiosk much faster than before. New printer drivers will also make printing much faster than in the past. These drivers will be available on the SU Self Service site or from the WEPA website. 
•  Convenient $5 WEPA print cards are available for purchase in Smith Library and in the Health Sciences Library. 
• The university is in the process of moving some of the print kiosks to more convenient locations in Ruebush Hall, East Campus Commons and Halpin-Harrison Hall. 

The university has created WEPA accounts for all incoming students registered prior to Wednesday, Aug. 15. Students should monitor their SU email for login information. 

For more information, contact Christopher Bean, director of university libraries, at cbean@su.edu or 540/665-4553.

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