by Kellie Greaves
In May 2010, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) announced to the University that Moodle would become the sole Course Management System (CMS). At that time, WebVista course sections outnumbered those in Moodle. Since the announcement, Moodle use has continued to increase such that by September, Moodle course sections outnumbered WebVista course sections. Read "Moodle Transition Planning and Upgrade Update"
OIT Security has had numerous reports recently about scam emails being received that aim at extracting banking information. These should serve as a reminder that members of the University community need to exercise caution in dealing with requests that come via email. The FTC offers some good information on how to avoid these scams. See also the FBI's current E-Scan warning page.
The University of Minnesota Computer Accommodations Program, a partnership between Disability Services and the Office of Information Technology, recently launched http://accessibility.umn.edu,a new one-stop, online accessibility resource. The site can help users:
In addition, the OIT Security & Assurance site has been redesigned and renamed, and now is called Security Information for IT Professionals. Please update your bookmarks and contact oitweb@umn.edu with any questions or concerns.
Effective August 2010, a new University policy, "Securing Private Data, Computers, and Other Electronic Devices," was established to ensure that "All University employees and community members take appropriate steps to secure any private data they create, possess, or have access to in connection with their University employment, education, or research. This obligation includes maintaining electronic private data only on University computer systems and electronic devices and securing those computers and devices as required by policy."
The policy goes on to state that "University private data must be stored on University-owned computers unless a contract approved by an authorized University representative exists with the non-University business, person, or entity. Employees must not store University private data on personally owned computers or other personally owned electronic devices." Read the entire policy
9:00-11:30 a.m.
Coffman Memorial Union Theater
Minneapolis/East Bank campus
Free and open to the public; pre-registration requested
Aaron Doering advocates for a closer look at the design of online learning environments and how they can be used to improve teaching and learning. Through an approach called Adventure Learning, Doering will showcase how online learning can engage learners at a transformational level through presenting principles that you can use in your educational projects and contexts.
For more information on the program and presenter, and for registration information, visit www.sph.umn.edu/ce/trainings/teachingandlearning/.
2:00-4:30 p.m.
The Whole Music Club, Coffman Memorial Union basement
Twin Cities/East Bank campus
Cost: Free
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the Academic Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC) invite you to attend the pecha kucha-style event "Collaborative Learning Environments." Several short, entertaining presentations will be given by faculty, staff, and students, followed by time for questions and answers. Presentations will be webcast, and a recording of the presentations will be published online. For more information, please visit the 20 by 20 website.
Please reserve time on your calendar for World Usability Day, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 11, in 402 Walter Library on the Twin Cities campus' East Bank. The full-day program of events, established to promote awareness of the benefits of usability engineering and user-centered design, is sponsored by the Office of Information Technology. More details coming soon.
As part of its change management initiative, OIT has created a change calendar listing scheduled maintenance and summarizing all planned changes to OIT systems and services.
Copiers and multi-function devices (equipment that provides copy, fax, scan, or print capability) contain hard drives that retain images of everything that you copy, fax, scan or print.
The U of M Twin Cities campus holiday calendar is now available. Click the Add to Google Calendar icon at on the U of M Google Apps support site to add the Twin Cities campus holidays to your U of M Google Calendar.
University of Minnesota Information Technology is on Facebook! Join the University of Minnesota Information Technology community on Facebook and keep up-to-date on campus technology news and information.