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
Ball State provides antivirus protection for all University-owned computers. The appropriate protection for your computer can be downloaded from the Ball State antivirus download site. 

 

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. Ball State uses Blackboard Learn (v9). Training for Blackboard is provided by the Learning Technologies Consulting and Support Group.  Faculty can also learn how to use many features of Blackboard Learn (v9) by watching Blackboard TechClips, which are a series of instructional how-to videos.

 

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.

 

Computer Store
The Computer Store is a university-owned and operated technology store where Ball State students and employees can view, test, purchase, and order the latest products from companies such as Apple, Lenovo and HP.  Many of items in the Computer Store are sold at educational discounts and have been selected to provide you with all you need at one convenient on-campus location.

 

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 HelpDesk provides a single point of contact for students, faculty, and staff who are faced with a technology-related problem or question.  The staff of the HelpDesk can resolve many issues during your initial call, can refer you to a specialist, or will log tickets for repair issues for your office computer equipment.  Contact the HelpDesk via e-mail to helpdesk@bsu.edu or by calling 765-285-1517. 

 

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 an integrated web-based testing and surveying tool that was designed at Ball State University, to create, administer, record and optionally grade responses. It can be used in the proctored computer-based testing labs.  Training for inQsit is provided by the Learning Technologies Consulting and Support Group.  You can also learn more about inQsit by watching inQsit TechClips.

 

Instructional Classroom Support (ICSS)
Instructional Classroom Support (ICSS), commonly known as Video Information System (VIS), offers a wide variety of services and solutions to enhance your eClassroom experience, including technical support, training and the ability for you to view instructional media in classrooms equipped with the Video Information System (VIS).  In addition, Equipment and Projectionist Services loans audiovisual equipment as well as both Mac and Windows laptops to Ball State faculty, staff, and students.

 

iWeb
iWeb allows Ball State faculty, staff, and students to publish academic, personal or student organizational websites.  Each iWeb account is allocated 2 gigabytes (GB) of space.  To learn more about iWeb, view the iWeb TechClips.

Learning Technologies Consulting and Support Group
The Learning Technologies Consulting and Support Group provides training and support for learning technologies such as Blackboard, inQsit, Web Gradebook, and rGrade.

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.

rGrade
rGrade is a web-based, rubric-driven grading and assessment environment developed within Ball State Teachers College.  Training for rGrade is provided by the Learning Technologies Consulting and Support Group. 

 

Scanning Services
An optical scanning service is available for exam grading or data collection. For more information concerning exam scoring, please see Exam Services Job Card TechClip or e-mail Melinda Rains. For assistance with data collection, please contact Dr. James Jones at 285-1506 or jjones@bsu.edu.

TechClips
TechClips are short "How To" videos that provide answers to your questions about various software programs, technologies used at Ball State, and university applications.  The great thing about TechClips is that they are available anytime and can be accessed from anyplace. This gives you access to expert assistance whenever you need it. 

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.  For more information and a complete list of services, see the UCS site.

 

Unified Technology Support
Unified Technology Support (UTS) has brought together technology support professionals from across campus with the goal of providing outstanding technology support for the students, faculty, and staff of Ball State University. UTS will help you fix a problem or learn how to use a new application.  They also provide information and guidance to help you use the vast technology resources that you will find across campus.  

 

Videoconferencing 
Videoconferencing is available for Ball State University faculty and staff.  Staff from the Video Network Information Center (VNIC) will coordinate and provide technical assistance for interactive video conferencing.  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. H.323 technology is the primary method of video conferencing implemented at Ball State University.   For more information and assistance in setting up videoconferences, visit the Video Network Information Center (VNIC) site.

 

Web Gradebook
Web Gradebook is an online grading system that was developed at Ball State.   Training for Web Gradebook is provided by the Learning Technologies Consulting and Support Group.