Classroom projector bulbs are surprisingly expensive! Depending on the model they can reach $400.00, and have a limited lifespan. Leaving projectors on, unused, for long periods of time burn these bulbs out, as well as apply heat wear on the projectors themselves, shortening the life of the whole machine.

At the end of your class, event, or other classroom use, if the projector is on, please turn it off. This makes a big budgetary difference, and we’d all rather the college spend money on other things. It’s tempting to leave it on if you think someone will use it later in the day, but classes are canceled or moved frequently enough that this isn’t as helpful as it seems.

Classroom projectors, as well as other classroom technologies are maintained by our Media Center, who are happy to help faculty with classroom IT needs. They have a great guide to all the classrooms on campus, which include instructions on how to operate each projector. The can also record a quick tutorial if you have questions concerning a particular classroom. Email helpdesk@canisius.edu for questions directed toward our Media Center (as well as other IT-related topics.)

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

Need D2L help or just looking for a quick refresher? Try one of the following:

1. Check out the D2L Self-Paced Training for Faculty and Staff wiki page, which has all of our tutorials on D2L. This includes general course management to using the Discussion, Quiz, and Dropbox toolsets. We even have tutorials on more advanced toolsets, like the Rubric tool and Intelligent Agents.
2. Need something a little more directed but still self-paced? Sign up for our D2L Mastery Microcredential. We use mostly tutorials from the D2L Self-Paced Training for Faculty and Staff, but in the format of an asynchronous online course. Sign-up for the Microcred on the Faculty Development Opportunities wiki page.
3. Want face to face training? COLI is always updating the dates for various workshops and events on the Faculty Development Opportunities wiki page.
4. Email the IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@canisius.edu. This is typically the fastest way to get help for quick D2L questions or other educational software help and general Canisius hardware/software help.
5. For more complicated questions, set up a Consultation with COLI staff members. We are always willing to help!

On September 8, at 1:00 a.m. EDT, Qualtrics will be doing server-side maintenance. This will last approximately an hour and a half (i.e., target finish time is 2:30 a.m. EDT).

During this maintenance, you will not be able to create, modify or delete Qualtrics survey dashboards, results, or printed reports.

If you have an active survey running, respondents can still access and complete the survey. You will also be able to view the survey dashboard, result reports, and printed reports.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

 

 

 

 

In October you will see two minor changes in D2L.

By October 16 (after fall break), D2L will no longer have the Tasks tool on the My Home or Course Home screens.

Also, the Role Switch block on the Course Home screen will go away.

Role Switch is currently available on most pages by clicking your name in the upper right. This way to access the role switch tool is here to stay, as it is more efficient.

COLI and ITS try to balance beneficial change with managing disruptions to our community’s work. We also seek to keep D2L as simple and as efficient as possible for students, faculty and staff.

Submitted by: Tyler Kron-Piatek, Instructional Designer, COLI

COLI is hosting its second adjunct faculty information session for the fall 2024 semester today, Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 5-7 p.m. New and returning part-time faculty can learn about resources available to them at Canisius University, including HR services, the library, and information technology tools and options. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with teaching at Canisius and learn about things that can help you teach either face-to-face or online.