On the activity stream you will find real-time notifications of new activity in your courses including any messages that you have received, submissions and announcements.
The Activity Stream allows you to select a stream item to go directly to the relevant piece of content or activity. You can access items students recently submitted and grade them directly from the Activity Stream, if desired. Students can access items teacher recently graded.
Directions:
Log into Blackboard and click on activity stream.
Step 1
Click on the Stream Settings icon at the top of the screen.
Your profile picture will display throughout the site. It is much more personal to upload an image rather than having the default initials of your name display. This may seem like a trivial thing to do, but many people underestimate the potential impact of adding a profile picture for other users. It can be difficult to establish relationships in the online environment. Adding a picture is a great way to start building rapport.
Directions:
Log into Blackboard and click on your name which is listed on the menu on the left side.
Step 1
Move your mouse over the circle that contains your initials and click on the pen tool.
Step 2
Click on Upload new profile picture.
Locate your picture on your computer, click on it and click on Open.
Step 4
Once your image has loaded click on the X to close the box.
Welcome to eStarkState’s blog. This is where you’ll find resources and articles on all things Blackboard and elearning. Articles on ways to enhance the online experience for both you and your students. We believe this site will become a place for all of us to grow and share everything we know about teaching, not just online, but everywhere.
Need help?
eStarkState is happy to answer any questions or assist with solving any problems with Blackboard, online classes, or online instructional concerns. We have the following help options available:
Check out our FAQ page. Our favorite and most used blog articles can be found here!
We also have a blog for students. If you are helping them, you can find support here!
Stark State College Help Desk. Submit a ticket to request support. eStarkState make it a priority to answer these requests as soon as possible.You can submit a Help Desk online at https://helpdesk.starkstate.edu/hc/en-us. If you’re submitting a ticket you must include the following:
Excellence In Course Design – This badge is awarded to courses that successfully complete a rigorous internal course design process and meet national Quality Matters standards of best practices in online learning. This is a required step prior to sending a course to QM for a formal review. The Excellence in Course Design award recognizes the faculty effort to create a high-quality, engaging online course that aligns course content with course objectives.
In today’s digital era, apps and AI technology have become integral parts of our lives, influencing various aspects, including education. College students, in particular, are increasingly leveraging the power of apps and AI tools to enhance their learning experience and streamline their academic journey. One such revolutionary technology is ChatGPT, an advanced language model that provides students with a wealth of information and assistance. While some may argue that these tools hinder academic integrity, there is a way for faculty to embrace them and create authentic assessments that stimulate students to develop their own original work. Let’s explore the potential benefits and strategies to foster a healthy balance between technology and academic integrity.
Benefits of Apps and AI Technology for College Students:
Access to a wealth of knowledge: Apps and AI technology offer students immediate access to vast amounts of information, allowing them to explore diverse perspectives and deepen their understanding of various subjects. With tools like ChatGPT, students can ask questions, seek explanations, and receive helpful insights, fostering an environment of continuous learning. Much like Wikipedia, ChatGPT and other tools like it, provide students a great place to start. They can use that information as the research and expand what they get from AI.
Personalized learning experiences: AI-powered apps can adapt to individual student needs, providing tailored suggestions, study materials, and practice exercises. This personalized approach enables students to focus on areas where they require additional support, enhancing their comprehension and retention of course material.
Collaboration and communication: Many apps and AI tools facilitate seamless collaboration among students, enabling them to work together on projects, share resources, and exchange ideas. This fosters a sense of community, encourages peer learning, and promotes teamwork skills, vital for success in the professional world.
Time management and organization: Apps and AI tools often include features that assist students in managing their time effectively, organizing tasks, and setting reminders. These aids can enhance productivity, reduce stress, and help students strike a balance between their academic responsibilities and personal lives.
Creating Authentic Assessments:
To ensure that the usage of apps and AI technology remains ethical and supports the development of students’ independent thinking and problem-solving abilities, faculty can adopt the following strategies:
Clearly communicate assessment expectations: Faculty members should clearly outline their expectations regarding the use of technology during assessments. Specify the types of resources and tools students are allowed to access and the extent to which external assistance is permitted. This transparency helps students understand the boundaries while still leveraging the benefits of technology.
Use secure testing with Respondus Lockdown Browser. The software locks the students’ computers so they can’t navigate to Google, ChatGPT, or Chegg to look up test answers. The camera monitors movements and provides a report. This helps eliminate the usage of apps like Socratic. For information on using Respondus Lockdown Browser, check out the links on our blog, Respondus Lockdown Browser | eStarkState Teaching and Learning.
Focus on higher-order thinking skills: Quality Matters, the organization that sets the standards for online learning, suggests that classes have a variety of assignment types. This helps students who are not strong test takers or writers AND it also helps prevent a student from cheating their way through a course. Design assessments that require students to apply critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. By focusing on these higher-order thinking skills, faculty can encourage students to develop their own ideas and arguments rather than relying solely on information provided by apps or AI tools. Not sure what assessments will work well in your class? Contact the eStarkState team. They’ll be happy to collaborate with you.
Incorporate project-based assessments: Assignments that involve current events, real-world problem-solving, research, and creative outputs foster originality and demonstrate students’ ability to apply knowledge in practical contexts. Project-based assessments encourage independent thinking and emphasize the value of students’ unique perspectives.
Foster open discussions and debates: Encourage classroom discussions and debates where students can engage with various viewpoints, challenge assumptions, and develop evidence-based arguments. This cultivates critical thinking and helps students build their own ideas, even when utilizing AI technology.
Provide constructive feedback: Feedback plays a vital role in guiding students’ growth and ensuring their learning experiences remain authentic. Faculty should offer specific and constructive feedback that highlights strengths and areas for improvement, helping students refine their work and promoting independent growth.
Conclusion:
Apps and AI technology have become valuable resources for college students, offering immediate access to information, personalized learning experiences, and enhanced collaboration. While concerns about academic integrity are valid, faculty can embrace these tools by designing assessments that foster authentic learning experiences. By clearly communicating expectations, emphasizing higher-order thinking skills, and promoting independent thought through project-based assessments and open discussions, educators can strike a balance that allows students to harness the benefits of technology while cultivating their own original work. Together, faculty and students can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education and ensure that technology is utilized as a catalyst for growth and innovation.
Enhanced Course Design – This badge is awarded for completing a design process that enhances the overall organization and structure of a course to meet basic standards expected for online courses at Stark State College. This is a recommended step for all courses at Stark State College and is a first step towards the Excellence in Course Design award. The Enhanced Course Design award recognizes faculty effort in continuous improvement in course design.
Excellence In Course Design – This badge is awarded to courses that successfully complete a rigorous internal course design process and meet national Quality Matters standards of best practices in online learning. This is a required step prior to sending a course to QM for a formal review. The Excellence in Course Design award recognizes the faculty effort to create a high-quality, engaging online course that aligns course content with course objectives.
Web 3
Course Number/Name
Faculty Designers
CHM243 Biochemistry I
Amy Jo Sanders
CIS221 Generating Reports for Decision Making
Shanda Yaeger/Kathy Ison
CJS124 Policing
Jerry Snay
COM121 Effective Speaking
Jessica Papajcik
DHY223 Community Oral Health
Nancy Stanwick
EST129 Switchgear, Trans, Controls
Steve Tornero
EST230 Electrical Circuits & Devices
Steve Tornero
HIS221 World Civilization to 17th Century
Ruth Dubinsky
HIT122 Alternative Health Records and Registries
Judy Edgar
HIT224 Quality Management in Healthcare
Gina Schoolcraft
MGT232 International Business
Chip Gerstenslager
MLT227 Seminar
Corinne Zellers
PSY121 General Psychology
Nicole Cleland
WDD221 Web Development with JavaScript
Kathy Ison
WDD226 Web Development with PHP & MySQL
Kathy Ison
WDD229 Advanced Web Design
Michelle Loomis
Web 2
Course Number/Name
Faculty Designers
CHM123 General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry
Paul Custer, Ebru Buyuktanir, Amy Jo Sanders, Becky Moden, James Engle (lab tech)
Once Zoom has been added to Blackboard, you can schedule meetings.
Directions:
Open Blackboard and navigate to the Lessons page of the course and click on your Zoom link.
Clicking the link above will launch Zoom. If you’ve been using Zoom, this screen will look familiar. To add a meeting, click the Schedule a New Meeting button, located in the upper right corner of the screen.
This screen focuses on the details of the meeting. You will fill out the Topic, or Name, add a description, choose the day/date/time and whether or not this is a recurring meeting.
Because Zoom is in a Blackboard class, registration isn’t required and should not be used. You also don’t need to set a Passcode.
If you want to use the Waiting Room, that is your call. This just means the meeting host must be in the meeting first to admit students.
IMPORTANT: By logging into Blackboard, students are already authenticated, so further authentication is not required. Do NOT choose this option.
The final section has settings that are optional. It’s probably best if you don’t force users to have their cameras set to “On.” There might be things you can never unsee. This would be a great place to check the box to Record the Meeting Automatically. You’ll be able to provide the recording to students for review after class.
Once the page is done, click Save.
From the main Zoom page all of the class meetings are listed and easy to access and start.
That’s all there is to scheduling a meeting in Zoom.
