Let’s pack up our stuff, and prepare to make the move to our new online home, Canvas! What do you do when you prepare to move? Plan, clean, pack, and make the move! In this four-part series, we will share some tips for making the transition easier.  In case you missed it, check out Part One of the series, all about Planning . Today's post is all about cleaning up Blackboard, because why bring along stuff you don't need or use? Cleaning   In this second phase of the moving cycle, we discuss how to clean-up before you make the move to Canvas! It will help you in the future to only have moved what is essential, rather than moving everything.  First, we’ll cover the items that will not transfer to Canvas from Blackboard. Then, we will share the top six areas you need to consider cleaning up before you move your Blackboard course to Canvas. What will not transfer Most things will transfer from Blackboard to Canvas, but it is good to be mindful of those that do not. These

In this week's TeachTech Webinar, we were lucky to have Jason Neenos from UTO and Lynda Mae from Psychology lead us through a presentation on using gamification and competition to engage students in the content of the course. Dr. Mae discussed the use of dopamine in the brain, and how our best students are intrinsically motivated through achievement, mastery and status. This works well for leaderboards in video games, and can be used in our classrooms. She uses a unique number for each student that only they can identify in order to provide a FERPA-approved leader board. Competitive Activities can include in-class practice exams, and quick formative checks of new material. It provides not only feedback to students, but also the instructor as to what topics may need additional review or more time for instruction. Jason Neenos wrapped up the webinar with information and a demonstration with Kahoots , a terrific quizzing tool that students can use their smart phones and la

Let’s pack up our stuff, and prepare to make the move to our new online home, Canvas! What do you do when you prepare to move? Plan, clean, pack, and make the move! In this four-part series, we will share some tips for making the transition easier. Planning  When you’re moving, you want to make sure you know all the tasks that should be done to make the move. The planning phase of the move to Canvas includes knowing dates, resources, and training sessions that are available. You will also want to request a DEV “sandbox” Canvas course , so that you can begin to get to know Canvas and even move over one of your Blackboard courses (we will cover this in parts 3 and 4 of this series). Here's a checklist for you to plan your move to Canvas! Important Dates for Canvas November 16, 2018 - Last day to request migration of Spring A O-courses.  March 16, 2019  - Last day to request a copy of a Blackboard course to Blackboard. May 6, 2019  - Last day to teach active courses