Category: Faculty/Staff

Academic Technology, Faculty/Staff, Moodle

New Features in Moodle for Fall 2015

Andrew Ruether

Swarthmore ITS just updated our Moodle site to version 2.8 from version 2.6.  Some highlights from the upgarde include: An improved gradebook with a easier to use grader report, additional grading options, and new grade history report. A new text editor that is easier to use and includes accessibility checking functions.  In addition, the text editor auto-saves your work as you type. Easier quiz creation tools and ability for students to upload files for essay questions For more information on the new features, you can check out the release notes at Moodle.org: New features in Version 2.7 New features in Version 2.8 Continue reading New Features in Moodle for Fall 2015

Faculty/Staff, Help Desk, Software, Students, Tips

ITS Recommendation for Windows 10

Seth

Microsoft released Windows 10 on July 29th, 2015 and is offering the operating system as a free upgrade to eligible Windows 7 and 8.1 installations for one year. ITS Recommendation Information Technology Services (ITS) will support personally-owned Windows 10 devices on our network and with supported College software.  ITS strongly recommends that College community members thinking of upgrading to Windows 10 adopt a “wait and see” approach, continuing to use earlier supported versions of Windows (Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8.1) until the initial bugs and compatibility issues in Windows 10 are identified and fixed. At this point … Continue reading ITS Recommendation for Windows 10

Faculty/Staff, Help Desk, Software, Students, Tips

Windows 10 at Swarthmore

Seth

Microsoft will release Windows 10 on July 29th, 2015 and is offering the operating system as a free upgrade to existing Windows 7 and 8.1 installations for one year. ITS Recommendation ITS strongly recommends that College community members thinking of upgrading to Windows 10 adopt a “wait and see” approach, continuing to use earlier supported versions of Windows (Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8.1) until the initial bugs and compatibility issues in Windows 10 are identified and fixed. After the official release is tested, Swarthmore College’s full recommendation for Windows 10 will be posted to the ITS Blog. Information … Continue reading Windows 10 at Swarthmore

Email, Faculty/Staff, Software, Students, Tips

Tip: Disable Automatic Detection and Maintenance of Account Settings in Yosemite Mail

Seth

There is a problematic setting included in the latest version of the Mail application that comes bundled with OS X 10.10 Yosemite. If you use Apple’s Mail client to check your Swarthmore email, you will need to turn this setting off. The Mail application will now attempt to automatically change your email settings without warning, even when your email is working correctly. The automatic changes won’t necessarily be correct for your email account, and have caused issues with Swarthmore’s email settings. To stop this automatic configuration from occurring, make the following adjustments: 1. In the Mail Application, pull down the … Continue reading Tip: Disable Automatic Detection and Maintenance of Account Settings in Yosemite Mail

Academic Technology, Faculty/Staff, Moodle, Workshops and Training

Moodle Updates for Spring 2015

Andrew Ruether

Moodle Assignments Creating assignments is easier in the upgraded Moodle assignment activity. You will see a single Moodle activity type called “Assignment.” The options for this activity can be configured to allow for single or multiple file upload, online text, or offline activity. More information available here: https://kb.swarthmore.edu:8443/x/K4AxAQ. Academic technologists will hold two workshops on “Online Assignments in Moodle,” which will cover how to create, distribute, grade, and provide feedback for assignments using Moodle.  The workshops will take place on: Wednesday January 28, 10:30AM-11:30AM in McCabe 306 (computer classroom) Thursday January 29, 1:30PM-2:30PM in Kohlberg 326 (Language Resource Center) Turnitin … Continue reading Moodle Updates for Spring 2015

Faculty/Staff, Help Desk, Students, Workshops and Training

Make the Most out of your Mac

Christina Webster

Learn tips and tricks for customizing your Mac, and making it work better for you! The ITS Help Desk is offering two 45-min sessions to help you get the most out of your Mac. Part one (Nov. 11th) covers tips and tricks, and customizations; while part two (Nov. 12th) focuses on troubleshooting common Mac problems. These sessions are for Mac users, Mac enthusiasts, and anyone else who wants to learn more about how Macs work. You can come to one or both sessions, and bring your Mac along. Events will be in McCabe 306, from 5:00-5:45pm, on Nov. 11th and … Continue reading Make the Most out of your Mac