by browkaa | Jan 27, 2021 | Faculty
Now that it has been more than a year since students have made the move to Self Service Banner 9, or more appropriately called “the Student Profile,” it’s time to focus on the faculty/staff move to Self Service Banner 9.
Step 1 in this transition will be to stop pushing the SSB icon to faculty/staff desktops. ITS has already made the login script changes to no longer push this icon to your desktop.
This update will secure the Self Service Banner (SSB) environment more appropriately. SSB continues to be available from within the portal, under myApplications and can even be “dragged and dropped” into your favorites in the portal, from the left Navigation panel, for quick access.
If you have any question or concerns, please contact the help desk at helpdesk@canisius.edu or at 888-8340.
Submitted by: Michele Folsom, director, Administrative Computing/ITS
by browkaa | Jan 27, 2021 | Faculty
Zoom is a tremendous resource for teaching and learning, offering remote – social distanced – real-time conversation with a bunch of other features. It seems easy to use, when everything works correctly. But this is real-time technology that relies on hardware interaction at both ends. And with the exception of using Zoom as a screencast recorder, what you do in Zoom takes place in real-time. After all, it’s complicated to broadcast live television, too.
Therefore we recommend you spend time to prepare for using Zoom:
- Don’t be in a hurry. Days or weeks beforehand, decide exactly what you want. List the details: what should happen in your Zoom meeting or webinar? Then, read or watch all relevant tutorials and instructions in our Zoom resource and at Zoom’s support site.
- Make sure you have the necessary hardware you need, and that it works, before committing to any Zoom plan. This is part of:
- Rehearsal. If you need to, create a free, private account, separate from your Canisius account. (You’ll need a separate email address for this.) Then use two devices – your PC and smartphone, if necessary, to join a test Zoom meeting. Better still, join colleagues in a Zoom meeting so you can all try out whatever features you’re planning to use. This accomplishes two things: you verify that your hardware, Zoom account, and Zoom app are all working together, and that you know how to use features you need, such as screen sharing or even breakout rooms. Run through as many steps as possible in rehearsal.
- More than software like D2L or Google Drive, Zoom (and other web conference tech) requires a lot of technology working optimally. Depending on your devices, you may need to perform maintenance. This may simply mean closing the many browser tabs you have open, to restarting your PC. Older PCs running earlier operating system (Windows or Mac) versions may need to be upgraded or replaced. If you are using a Canisius computer, you may need to consult ITS User Services for help in updating your operating system, or properly configuring a microphone headset.
- The more light you have in a room where you are recording, the better the webcam image will be. This is especially so with webcams built into laptop lids.
- If you are a professor planning some Zoom activity for class, ask students to help you test it before doing it in a real class period. They’re often patient and happy to help. Plus, this builds a greater sense of learning community in a course.
- Consider having alternatives and workarounds, in case things don’t go as planned. Decide what’s not strictly necessary, too. If you are teaching a class or conducting a meeting, having a webcam is great but audio and perhaps your slides are more important. But quickly try out Google Meet, so you have that as a backup in case Zoom becomes unavailable when you need a web meeting tool.
Predictably, some of this advice closely parallels that similar advice we’ve issued about data gathering tools like Qualtrics, or D2L quizzes. These are also complicated technologies that operate in real-time. Tutorials are essential for learning how Zoom works. ITS and COLI personnel can help you troubleshoot problems, or find workarounds. But if you decide to use Zoom with only hours to spare, and without trying out your plans beforehand, there’s a greater chance that last-minute support, if even available, won’t fix the problems that may arise.
Even after rehearsing, be patient with yourself the first time around. Small problems may come up that may take a moment or two to solve, and your participants can often help you sort them out. Once you’ve rehearsed and successfully hosted your Zoom event, then likely repeat events (such as classes) will be great. But if you get a new microphone, or are using another new feature, it may be worth trying it out before an important event.
Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, academic technologist, Center for Online Learning and Innovation
by browkaa | Jan 25, 2021 | Faculty
Quadrangle, the Canisius literary and visual arts magazine, invites submissions for its 2021 issue: poetry, paintings, collages, short fiction, non-fiction, editorials, flash fiction, plays, photographs, digital artwork, drawings, printings and visual creations – both traditional and experimental. This year’s theme is “Embers.”
We welcome submissions that touch on any subject matter but are especially interested in pieces that explore the visceral reality of the times we are living in and/or resilience, both personally and nationally. The year 2020 was of major, world-shifting events. Like the glowing embers of a fire, 2021 offers limitless opportunities for change and new beginnings. With Quadrangle 69, we seek to honor bold and boundless work that defies norms and challenges the status quo. Burn bright. “Go Forth and Set the World on Fire.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Submissions will close on March 1 at 11:59 p.m.
Remember that submissions are not required to fit the theme (we will accept anything!), and that you may submit work and be part of the reviewing process later on as well.
We sincerely hope that you will consider submitting to
Quadrangle 69! If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to co-editors-in chief, Simone Riter –
riters@my.canisius.edu and Joe Wood –
wood28@my.canisius.edu or moderator Mick Cochrane –
cochrane@canisius.edu. We can’t wait to see your submissions!
Submitted by: Simone Riter and Joe Wood, editors-in-chief, Canisius College Quadrangle
by browkaa | Jan 25, 2021 | Faculty
Do you want to make the most of Canisius Giving Day and raise additional funding for your support area? Then be sure to sign up for our Giving Day training session!
Our partners at GiveGab as well as the Canisius Fund team will be offering up tips and tricks in order to maximize the day, provide impactful content and stories for social media, as well as how to include students and alumni in your fundraising efforts!
This training session will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and you can register by using the following link:
https://givegab.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9KHYNVZNQGCg1omzBXmKPg
Questions? Contact the Canisius Fund office at canfund@canisius.edu or by calling Ext. 2712.
Submitted by: Matt Gorczyca, assistant director, Canisius Fund
by browkaa | Jan 22, 2021 | Faculty
Canisius President John J. Hurley is heightening the excitement in advance of the National Football League’s AFC Championship game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, scheduled for Sunday, January 24 at 6:40 p.m. on CBS. This morning, he wagered a friendly bet with his counterpart President Rev. Thomas Curran, SJ, at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO.
The bet, however, won’t include the expected shipment of Buffalo chicken wings or Kansas City barbecue to the losing college. Instead, the wager will put the pride of each city on the line: If (and when!) the Kansas City Chiefs fall to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, President Curran must agree to don a Buffalo Bills facemask for a full day, during the week of January 25. Should the Buffalo Bills be defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs, President Hurley must capitulate and wear a facemask of the winning team for a full day. To be sure each holds up his end of the bargain, the losing president must also post a picture of himself on social media wearing the opposing team’s mask.
All the more reason to be sure we cheer on the Bills this weekend!
Submitted by: College Communications
