Teaching Technology Videos
The most common question regarding teaching technology we hear is, "What are other teachers doing?"  While that is a hard question for our staff to answer, we are trying to find ways to let BSU faculty members share experiences and tips among themselves.  These videos are one way of providing that faculty-to-faculty exchange of teaching ideas.

Overview of Teaching Technologies at Ball State University

Antivirus
BSU provides Symantec Antivirus for free use on all University-owned computers.  See the Antivirus site for details.
 

Blackboard
Blackboard is a course management system that allows teachers to easily create online sites to deliver course materials, facilitate communication, and develop online testing and grading systems.  BSU has recently upgraded to Blackboard version 7.  Training for Blackboard is provided by Technology Training Support Services, online instructional videos are available from UCS TechClips and in the "Bb References" tab within Blackboard itself.

BSU@Work
BSU@Work provides access to a variety of tools faculty may find useful, including class lists, student information, enrollment statistics, advisor lists, etc.  Some features require additional permission, since student information is restricted due to privacy laws.  Access these tools via the BSU@work site.

Electronic Classroom Teaching Consoles
In Fall 2005, BSU installed new teaching consoles in 15 large classrooms across campus.  These consoles utilize touch-screen panels to control audio-visual presentations.  For instructions on using these consoles, see the Electronic Teaching Console page.  For hands-on training, contact OTLA at 285-1763 or tla@bsu.edu.
 

ePrint
ePrint allows users to create "print" to PDF files rather than hardcopy.  This is a useful alternative to printing out paper copies of many online documents and is a useful tool to use in conjunction with electronic storage options like flash drives or iLocker.  To download the ePrint software, visit the ePrint site.
 

Help Desk
The UCS Help Desk is the first stop for technology support at BSU.  The Help Desk staff can either answer your questions directly or transfer you to the appropriate staff person who can help.  The Help Desk also is responsible for logging repair tickets when you have problems with your office computer equipment.  You may contact the Help Desk at 285-1517, e-mail to helpdesk@bsu.edu, or visit the Help Desk site.
 

iLocker
iLocker provides BSU faculty, staff, and students with 2 GB of online storage space.  Files may be secure to the account owner, made available to all BSU users ("BSU share"), or made available to anyone ("world share"); more options for providing limited access are under development.  iLocker is primarily for storing files; websites should be stored on your iWeb account.  You may find out more information about iLocker here, or go directly to the iLocker site. 

INQSIT
INQSIT (in-quiz-it) is a BSU-developed testing and surveying tool.  It is more robust than Blackboard's testing tool, and can be used in the proctored testing labs.  More information and documentation is available on the INQSIT site; training is available through Technology Training Support Services.

iWeb
iWeb allows BSU faculty, staff, and students to publish academic and personal websites up to 2 GB in size.  Additional information is available on the iWeb site.  Training on website creation is available through  Technology Training Support Services and via the TechClips site.
 

Mediasite
Mediasite records presentations for later review--either of a live class or a pre-recorded module.  The recording includes a small video window of your instruction and a large window showing any graphics you are using--PowerPoint slides, websites, overhead camera images, etc.  The video and graphics are synchronized automatically, and students may search a slide list for the content they want to review.  Mediasite recording is available in three classrooms, including two rooms operated by OTLA.  View OTLA's Mediasite page for more information and usage requests.

Polycom
Polycom is the primary videoconferencing system used at Ball State University.  For details, see the Videoconferencing entry below.

 

rGrade
rGrade is a web-based, rubric-driven grading and assessment environment developed within BSU's Teachers College.  For more information see the rGrade website.

 

Scanning Services
Digital Data Services will transfer material into electronic format for BSU faculty and staff.  Examples of transferable items include photographs, negatives, text, line art, and video tapes.  This office also is the contact for having optical data sheets scanned for grading and/or data collection.  For more information, see the Digital Data Services site.

TechClips
University Computing Services (UCS) has created a large library of online video clips that provide instruction on many BSU-supported technologies.  For more information and a listing of available topics, visit the TechClips site.

Technology Training Support Services
TTSS provides group and individualized training on a wide variety of BSU-supported technologies.  For course listings and contact information, see the TTSS site.
 

Teleplex
The University Teleplex provides advanced media services for BSU faculty and staff, including the design and production of video, graphics, and interactive multimedia.  The Teleplex staff also provides media support for distance education, videoconferencing services, classroom support for electronic classrooms, and equipment checkout.  All services are free for educational projects.  The Teleplex also houses the area's public television (WIPB) and radio (WBST) stations.  For more details and contact information, see the Teleplex site.

UCS
University Computing Services (UCS) provides a wide variety of support for computer use on campus--hardware maintenance, networking, applications, help desk, etc.  For more information and a complete list of services, see the UCS site.
 

VIS
Video Information Services (VIS) is a branch of the University Teleplex that delivers video content to classrooms across campus.  Most classrooms have VIS monitors and control boxes, which allows for videos to be scheduled and loaded remotely, rather than having to haul a TV and VCR/DVD player into the classroom.  VIS also maintains the electronic teaching consoles in the large e-classrooms.  For more information, see the VIS site.

Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing is available for free use by BSU faculty and staff, with experts who will set up and run your videoconference for you.  You may use this service to bring guest speakers around the world into your classroom, to meet virtually with colleagues at other universities, or to conduct other University-related business.  For more information and assistance in setting up videoconferences, visit the Video Network Information Center (VNIC) site.
 

Web Gradebook
Web Gradebook is a BSU-developed online grading system.  It is more robust than the Blackboard gradebook, particularly for those teachers who want to create more complicated grading systems, or who want to submit grades to the Registrar electronically at the end of the semester.  Web Gradebook also can provide an up-to-date class list as well as e-mail access to that class list.  For more information log into the Web Gradebook site; training is available through Technology Training Support Services.