CTC Ed Tech Dec. 2, 2013

I have a couple learning opportunities for you this week:

1. Blackboard Upgrade Show and Tell- get the scoop on the new features of SP 13. Friday, December 6, 3pm - 4:30pm, UC 133.

Take a tour of the new Blackboard: global navigation, improved text editor, inline grading, and more. For more info on the upgrade see Blackboard Upgrade for Spring 2014.

2. Copyright webinar - Tuesday, December 10, 10am - noon, UC 131M.  

From course management systems to e-reserves, technology and changes to copyright law are affecting the way faculty, staff, and students share information. This webinar provides a quick, but in-depth look at important concerns surrounding the use of copyright-protected content within a non-profit, academic environment.

I am hosting this session concurrent with the CAFE session. Bring your coffee and join me for the webinar and a discussion afterwards.

My sharing with you is not very techy this week: It's called One Small Step and presents a suggestion for change. I read a blog called Social Triggers and the writer has a similar suggestion: make a commitment to do one small thing before going to bed each day. For me, today, it's doing Yoga. So, in this hectic time, what is one small step you can take to maintain calm?  

Lastly, if you missed the Registrar's email about grades (sent to the Faculty Listserv on Nov. 25), here it is again, just as she sent it.

Fall 2013 grades due December 18th

Grading will be turned on December 6^th for fall classes (in UAOnline).  For fall courses which have ended, grades must be submitted via UAOnline by Wednesday, December 18^th at 11:59 p.m. 

 

Due to compliance requirements for institutions receiving federal money, any grades of "F" or "NB" will require a date of last attendance to be entered.  This fall there is an additional requirement to indicate students who never attended.  Out of a set of options, the Faculty Senate passed the first bullet below.

 

·         New Requirement for students who never attended:

o   Faculty should enter the first day of fall semester 08/26/2013 in the "Last Attend Date" column AND enter a 0 (zero) in the "Attend Hours" column.

o   A best guess is fine, especially as this is a new requirement.

·         For last date of attendance:

o   Enter the last date of attendance in the "last Attend Date" column next to the letter grade.

o   The date must be entered in MM/DD/YYYY form, i.e. if a student last attended on October 1^st, you would enter 10/01/2013. 

o   Instructors utilizing centralized scheduled classrooms will not be able to enter a date beyond December 6^th; however you may enter 100 in the "Attend Hours" column to indicate the student took the final. 

o   Again, best guess is fine.

Once grades have been submitted in UAOnline they cannot be changed.  Please wait to submit your grades until all items for your class have been graded.  After a grade has been submitted, if a grade change needs to occur you will need to submit a change of grade form.

 

UAOnline grading will remain on through Wednesday, December 18^th.   Academic standing, degree awarding, and financial aid eligibility are calculated beginning on Thursday, December 19^th .  Missing grades impact a student's ability to receive aid, maintain good academic standing, as well as graduate.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT GRADING:

 

Incomplete grades should only be assigned when a student has completed the majority of coursework.  Incomplete Grade Contracts can be found on this website and should be filed with the corresponding department.

 

Deferred grades- Research, thesis, or project courses which may have a deferred grade, must have a DF grade assigned as a place holder.

 

No Basis Grade- A no basis (NB) grade may be used when the student has not attended or if there is insufficient student progress and/or attendance for evaluation to occur.  NB is a permanent grade and may not be used to substitute for the incomplete grade.  It cannot be removed later by completing outstanding work.  Faculty are requested to submit a last date of attendance in conjunction with this grade (best guess is fine).  For students who have never attended the class, please use the first day of your class and enter a 0 in the attend hours column.  Faculty are not required to use the no basis grade and may instead assign a failing grade.

 

You must submit a grade for every person on your roster; if you do not know the student on your roster you should assign a NB or failing grade. 

 

Trouble shooting

If you can't access your class list it may be because there are multiple instructors (only the primary instructor of record may enter grades) or the faculty member is TBA.  Departments, make sure you have the correct faculty listed for all of your courses- this may be updated through a class schedule change form.  Pins may be reset by contacting Human Resources, IT Services (786-4646) or UAA One Stop (786-1480). 

 

Please contact Lora Volden, University Registrar, with any questions or concerns at (907) 786-1560

This handout from the registrar explains how to enter grades.