Information Services is gearing up for the fall semester with dedicated tech help sessions for both faculty and students. The sessions allow users to get acclimated to technology at Kent State and receive personalized help directly from subject-area experts.
Stacia Zelick, executive director for service management, says that this year, more than 50 staff members from Information Services volunteered to help. “We chose locations that were convenient for both faculty and students. Our staff will be wearing Tech Help T-shirts and displaying signs so they can be easily identified,” Zelick says.
Faculty “Technology Tune-Up” Sessions
Technology Tune-Up sessions are scheduled for two weeks to help faculty with their Blackboard Learn courses, as well as resolve any password and Internet issues before the start of the semester.
There will be 10 opportunities to drop in:
- Aug. 20 – Aug. 24, 2012: 3 p.m. /> - 5 p.m.
- Aug. 27 – Aug. 31, 2012: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The sessions will run concurrently in three locations:
- University Libraries: 1st Floor Reference Desk
- Satterfield Hall: Main Entrance (facing Business Administration Building)
- White Hall: Room 217
Faculty members are encouraged to attend a session to ensure they are familiar with Blackboard Learn, which replaces Blackboard Vista (no longer available after Aug. 25, 2012).
Student “Make the Connection” Tables
All students are invited to “Make the Connection” at tables located in the residence halls, Kent Library and Student Center. Staff members and student employees will be on site in 10 locations to assist students with connecting to the Internet, setting up mobile devices and answering technology questions.
Student support begins on freshman move-in day (Aug. 23) and continues through the first two days of classes.
Visit www.kent.edu/is/helpdesk/kickoff for a list of dates, times and locations for all tech help sessions.
Blackboard Quick Start Tips
In addition to providing drop-in tech help sessions, the Blackboard Learn support team has posted Quick Start tips on its website (www.kent.edu/blackboard). Faculty members are encouraged to review the checklist to learn how to resolve issues with missing courses, reuse course content and resolve common technical issues before the semester begins.
“We recommend that faculty log in to their Blackboard Learn courses before the start of classes and check that their user list matches their official roster in FlashLine,” says Preeti Palvankar, manager of Blackboard Learn support. “If they find a student is missing, they can submit a ticket at the support.kent.edu website.”
Even More Support Options
As in years past, 24/7 tech support will be provided all year by phone at 330-672-HELP (4357) or online at . Faculty and staff can also receive in-person support by contacting their department’s local support person. All users can visit The Tech Spot for personally-owned technology service and repair.
Blackboard Learn workshops are offered all year long. The sessions, which focus on a variety of topics including communication tools, grades, exams and Wimba, are listed online at www.kent.edu/blackboard. This website also houses on-demand resources for both faculty and students.