Welcome Back! Summer 2018 Isidore Enhancements.html

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Since you've been gone, a whole new dorm (Adele) has been built, the Studio in the LTC has become the classroom technology innovation room, a new logo for UD has been introduced, and enhancements have made Isidore better than ever.

Expanded Learning Apps Library

Learning technology is changing. While still supporting and improving Isidore's core tools, we are currently expanding a suite of sleek, niche, easy-to-use Learning Apps that can be installed in the Lessons tool.

The Interactive Video app can be used to pop up questions at defined time points throughout a video. See Professor Stephanie Sweet's usage of the tool in her online Communication course in the 2 minute video below.

Over the summer, we created three of these Learning Apps - with more on the way soon. Check out the full suite of Learning Apps by looking at our E-Wiki descriptions.

If you come up with an idea for a Learning App that we end up implementing, we will give you credit and do our best to make it go viral on campus.

Customizable Overview

Your course site Overview page is the first thing students see every time they access your Isidore site. It’s the first impression they have of you and the course. We recommend using it to promote important course information and engaging content, such as when and where the course meets, what students can expect to learn in your class, where they can find resources, and even a picture or two to help associate the course site with an image.

But, a static overview page can become boring over time. You can now customize this experience for your sites using the Manage Overview tool to move around the widgets on your homepage. If, for instance, you often use Announcements tool to communicate updates and reminders about the course, why not move it to the top left hand position in your site so it’s in the location people look at the most?

Or, add a social media type newsfeed called the Commons widget to your course where you and your students can post links, pictures, and comments with the Commons tool. Don’t worry – only you and your students can access the content on this newsfeed.

See the 30 second silent video demonstration of the Manage Overview feature below.

Email us (elearning@udayton.edu) your creative layout or usage of the Overview so we can share with other instructors. Amazing prizes that you won't want to miss will be awarded.*

*Possibly hyperbole.

Templates

Black text on a white background gets boring after awhile. Spice it up with colors, icons, and pictures using the Templates in the rich text editor in Isidore. Like spices, though, use the standout templates sparingly and with good measure. It's possible to go overboard!

Use the Instructor Insight template to add a picture of yourself as well as your expert opinion or experience on a certain topic.

The Key Idea template can help draw students' attention to an important point of the topic.

Connect your content to a Marianist Principle so students can reach for the Common Good. The Common Themes Brochure is a great spot to find this Marianist link

Add a Course Newsfeed with the Commons Tool

The Commons tool functions as a course newsfeed that can display on your Overview page. You and your students can post links, pictures, and text in a stream that pops the newest content at the top. Students can use it to quickly ask questions of each other, then other students can comment on the posts with their responses. See the 50 second video overview below.

Basically, it's a Facebook newsfeed locked down to you and your students in Isidore.

Preparing for the Start of the Semester

As a reminder, Isidore course sites will be published automatically on the first day of therm, Wednesday, August 22nd at 8:00 AM. If you would like to publish your course site prior to then, just click on the "Publish Now" button in the yellow bar across the top of your site.

We are offering a whole host of brand spanking new as well as classic group training sessions this semester! Learn how to use some of the new features showcased in this newsletter, or come for a review. We'd love to have you!

View Training Schedule

As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us with questions via email at elearning@udayton.edu or via phone at (937) 229-5039.

Let us know any feedback or questions by contacting us at elearning@udayton.edu or (937) 229-5039.

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