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Need to Know

Zoom Breakout Room Updates

There are some new features available in Zoom breakout rooms. Remember, before you can take advantage of these new features you need to update your Zoom desktop client.
As the session host, an instructor can now: 

  • Zoom Modal window for Breakout Rooms. Ellipse in the lower left corner is highlight as the item to select in order to save the breakout room configuration.
    Create breakout rooms and save that configuration for use in upcoming sessions.
    • After breakout rooms have been assigned, but are not currently open, click the ellipsis button and then click Save Breakout Rooms. 
    • Provide a name for this configuration. 
    • Click Save.
    • Please note: This is only available for recurring meetings and limited to 10 saved configurations per user. 
  • Share computer audio, along with shared content, to all breakout rooms. This can be enabled when beginning to share, or while sharing is in progress. The share video option is also available for Breakout Rooms. See share audio with content to all breakout rooms.

End of Semester Preparation

Believe it or not, the end of the semester is fast approaching. Be aware that all Canvas instructors will receive an email from [email protected] titled Spring 2022 End of Semester Checklist; this email includes an end-of-semester checklist and resources to ready your course site to submit final grades. Look for this important communication near the last day of instruction on your campus.

Tips and Tricks

Evaluating Technology Tools

Clipboard with a paper with checkboxes, checked on left. On the right circles with tools, camera and sharing icons.

Instructors rely on digital technologies to support their teaching practice. But are the tools they choose secure? Are they meeting student needs? To help make good choices, we encourage instructors to take a thoughtful approach to evaluating tools. Here are two resources that instructors might find useful: 

Academic Video Production

Video camera in a gold circle next to text "Academic Video Production"

Video Production specialists are available to work with faculty and instructional staff. 
Services include:

  • Lecture recording - combine video of the presenter and slides. 
  • In-studio interviews.
  • Demonstrations shot on-location.

Our two studios are located on the West Bank and East Bank campuses and provide full service recording and editing. See examples of videos produced for courses. Learn more about how ATSS can help you produce videos for your courses or other academic projects.

Learning Analytics

Learning Analytics

Graph with multi colored connected dots representing learning data.

OIT-ATS’s new blog, Extra Points, will serve as a platform for exploring learning analytics, both our efforts at the University of Minnesota and in collaboration with Unizin partners. This week’s Extra Points post showcases data available in Canvas New Analytics, offers some practical guidelines for designing a course to unleash the power of data analytics, and points out the limitations of data that instructors must bear in mind. Read Learning Analytics: What do the Numbers Say?

Engagement and Learning Opportunities

Meet Your Students Where They Are: Design Your Canvas Course to be Mobile-friendly

Lower right corner, hands using a mobile device. Text on screen: Meet your students where they are.

Tuesday, April 12,11:00 a.m. 
Half of all University of Minnesota students use the Canvas Student App to access their courses from mobile devices. This exploratory session will provide you with the student perspective of course materials and activities. Register for Meet your students where they are: Design your Canvas course to be mobile-friendly. 

Check Out ChimeIn

White lettering on top "Check Out" Black lettering on bottom ChimeIn next to three vertical gold bars.

Wednesday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. 
ChimeIn is a free and easy to use live polling tool for presentations, created right here at the University of Minnesota. If you're interested in learning about ChimeIn and seeing it in action, LATIS is hosting an info session and demonstration. Interested faculty, instructors, and staff are welcome. Register for Check Out ChimeIn.

Canvas Gradebook: Prepare to submit final grades

Tuesday, May 3rd, 10:00 a.m 
Academic Technology Support Services (ATSS) staff will be available to address questions about preparing your gradebook. Register for the upcoming Canvas Gradebook work session.

Online Resources

UMN Self-help guides

These guides offer step-by-step instructions and extra guidance to help you complete your tasks.

Other Resources

Spotlight

 

Media Management Vendor Demonstrations

Media is an integral part of teaching and learning at the University of Minnesota. Effectively incorporating media into a course requires tools that are efficient, user friendly, and secure.

A circle labeled media management platform is within a circle that is divided into four quarters: Canvas, Zoom Recordings, Lecture Capture, Media Portal. Arrows from Lecture Capture and Zoom point into the middle circle. The Canvas and Media Portal have two way arrows.

Currently, Kaltura is the University’s media management platform. To ensure that tools like Kaltura meet the evolving needs of the community, OIT periodically conducts a Request for Proposal (RFP) where a marketplace of tools are evaluated side-by-side. 

We are approaching the demonstration phase of the media management RFP. UMN faculty, students, and staff are welcome to view vendor demos the week of April 18 and give feedback. 

Follow progress at RFP: Media Management Platform webpage (University sign in required.)

Additional Resources