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Systems Upgrades

We have recently completed successful upgrades of three major systems: Blackboard, upgraded to version 9.1 Service Pack 9; WordPress, upgraded to a MySQL database from an MS SQL database; and our helpdesk system, which used to be a hosted service, but now we run as a self-hosted MySQL installation.

Blackboard

The SP9 upgrade is primarily bug fixes and security vulnerability patches, but it does have two notable features: a new Visual Textbox Editor and support for the latest update channels for Firefox and Chrome browsers. The initial upgrade had a couple of problems related to course copies, control of orphan content, and the Spanish language pack version, and persisted with a previous problems related to email notification settings. These were reported to Blackboard, Inc. and were subsequently patched. We have applied the patches and the issues have all been resolved. Learn more on our About Blackboard page.

WordPress

We have migrated our WordPress implementation to a MySQL backend database—the database for which it was originally written—and no longer need to depend on a plugin to connect it to an MS SQL database. Consequent system performance has been increased. All existing WordPress sites and blogs have been migrated to the new platform with minimal disruption in service. If you are interested in creating your own WordPress web site or blog (or both) please contact our helpdesk.

Helpdesk

help life preserver For years we have relied on a remotely hosted helpdesk system called Kayako. Last year we were able to obtain the Kayako software and have installed it locally, running on a PHP-MySQL platform (very much like WordPress). Local control of the system has allowed us to customize it to make it more effective for Palomar faculty, staff and students. Our goal is to focus user attention on the web interface, and deprecate, as much as possible, the use of email and phone help requests. Those avenues for help will still be available, of course. If users submit help requests via email to atrc@palomar.edu or call (760) 744-1150 ext. 2862 help tickets within the system will still be generated as always, but they will now be associated with a Palomar ID for tracking purposes. Live Chat help still be available, and in fact is being used more than ever.

The new URL for the help system, is http://www.palomar.edu/atrc/helpdesk. The old address, will be discontinued next month.

Each Wednesday morning from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. our Blackboard technicians will be available to address any problems or issues you may be having with Blackboard during our Blackboard with Cream & Sugar sessions. Just drop by room LL-111 on the San Marcos campus any time during this period and chat with our techs. Bb with Cream & Sugar sessions will occur each Wednesday morning through September 26.

The following in-person workshops and panel discussions will be offered over the next month:

Sign-up for workshops or panel discussions should be done through the Professional Development office. For a full description of fall 2012 Academic Technology training workshops and events, click here. For our schedule grid, click here.

A surprising number of faculty members at our institution own iPads. I know, because I recently had the opportunity to present a short iPad Ed workshop which was well attended, and I asked. As I say, a surprising number of hands went up. Part of the workshop was what I intended to be a brief discussion of using Apple TV to wirelessly project in the classroom, but the discussion was not so brief because there was a great deal of interest in the iPad and projection technology. Thus, this post, on the various ways to use the iPad with a classroom projector, both wired and wirelessly. Read more...

Trouble reading this? Click here.	Number 133 - August 30, 2012

Systems Upgrades We have recently completed successful upgrades of three major systems: Blackboard, upgraded to version 9.1 Service Pack 9; WordPress, upgraded to a MySQL database from an MS SQL database; and our helpdesk system, which used to be a hosted service, but now we run as a self-hosted MySQL installation. Blackboard The SP9 upgrade is primarily bug fixes and security vulnerability patches, but it does have two notable features: a new Visual Textbox Editor and support for the latest update channels for Firefox and Chrome browsers. The initial upgrade had a couple of problems related to course copies, control of orphan content, and the Spanish language pack version, and persisted with a previous problems related to email notification settings. These were reported to Blackboard, Inc. and were subsequently patched. We have applied the patches and the issues have all been resolved. Learn more on our About Blackboard page. WordPress We have migrated our WordPress implementation to a MySQL backend database—the database for which it was originally written—and no longer need to depend on a plugin to connect it to an MS SQL database. Consequent system performance has been increased. All existing WordPress sites and blogs have been migrated to the new platform with minimal disruption in service. If you are interested in creating your own WordPress web site or blog (or both) please contact our helpdesk. Helpdesk For years we have relied on a remotely hosted helpdesk system called Kayako. Last year we were able to obtain the Kayako software and have installed it locally, running on a PHP-MySQL platform (very much like WordPress). Local control of the system has allowed us to customize it to make it more effective for Palomar faculty, staff and students. Our goal is to focus user attention on the web interface, and deprecate, as much as possible, the use of email and phone help requests. Those avenues for help will still be available, of course. If users submit help requests via email to atrc@palomar.edu or call (760) 744-1150 ext. 2862 help tickets within the system will still be generated as always, but they will now be associated with a Palomar ID for tracking purposes. Live Chat help still be available, and in fact is being used more than ever. The new URL for the help system, is http://www.palomar.edu/atrc/helpdesk. The old address, will be discontinued next month. Training Opportunities Each Wednesday morning from 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. our Blackboard technicians will be available to address any problems or issues you may be having with Blackboard during our Blackboard with Cream & Sugar sessions. Just drop by room LL-111 on the San Marcos campus any time during this period and chat with our techs. Bb with Cream & Sugar sessions will occur each Wednesday morning through September 26. The following in-person workshops and panel discussions will be offered over the next month: On Thursday, August 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in room LL-109 Terry Gray will present "PowerPoint 1: Creating Basic Presentations with PowerPoint." On Friday, August 31 from 9:00 to11:00 a.m. in room LL-109 Chris Norcross will present "Getting Started with WordPress." On Wednesday, September 5 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in room LL-109 Lillian Payn will present "Introduction to Palomar Online Education (POET)." On Thursday, September 6 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in room LL-109 Terry Gray will present "PowerPoint 2: Advanced PowerPoint Techniques." On Friday, September 7 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in room MD-322 Lillian Payn will host a panel titled "Students Share Online Experiences." On Wednesday, September 12 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in room MD-322 Lillian Payn will host a panel titled "Hybrid and Flipped Alternatives." On Thursday, September 13 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in room LL-109 Terry Gray will present "PowerPoint 3: Narrate and Create Online Video from Your PowerPoint." On Wednesday, September 19 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in room MD-221 Lillian Payn will host a panel titled "Online Showcase." On Friday, September 21 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in room LL-109 Terry Gray will present "How to Capture and Produce Video with Camtasia." On Tuesday, September 25 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in room LL-109 Chris Norcross will present the first in a 4-part series titled "A Website in a Month." On Wednesday, September 26 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in room LL-109 Lillian Payn will present "Palomar College's Best Practices Checklist for Online Classes." On Friday, September 21 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in room LL-109 Terry Gray will present "How to Edit Video with Camtasia." Sign-up for workshops or panel discussions should be done through the Professional Development office. For a full description of fall 2012 Academic Technology training workshops and events, click here. For our schedule grid, click here. Using the iPad with a Projector A surprising number of faculty members at our institution own iPads. I know, because I recently had the opportunity to present a short iPad Ed workshop which was well attended, and I asked. As I say, a surprising number of hands went up. Part of the workshop was what I intended to be a brief discussion of using Apple TV to wirelessly project in the classroom, but the discussion was not so brief because there was a great deal of interest in the iPad and projection technology. Thus, this post, on the various ways to use the iPad with a classroom projector, both wired and wirelessly. Read more... 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