Technology and Support

What is Ally?

Ally is a tool that integrates with Canvas to provide insight into the accessibility of your course content and guidance on how to improve accessibility to ensure compliance and equitable access for all your students. Students can use tools in Ally to convert content to alternative formats, for example, text to speech. 

How does it work?

Ally assists you with improving the usability and accessibility of your Canvas course content in 3 ways:

1. 1. Accessibility Score Indicators and Reports

Ally measures the accessibility of files within your course and shows you at-a-glance their accessibility score from Low to Perfect. The higher the score, the fewer accessibility issues are present in the document.

1. 2. Detailed Feedback

 Ally provides you with detailed feedback and support to help you become an accessibility pro. Learn about accessibility issues, why they matter, and how to fix them. 

1. 3. Alternative Formats

You and your students can use Ally to create alternative formats of your course content, such as text-to-speech. For students, alternative formats do not replace the original content. Original content is still available for students to access.

 

Introduction to Ally Video (1 hour and 10 minutes)

 

FAQ's

1. Will Ally automatically make changes to course content? Ally will not automatically make accessibility improvements or changes to course content. Ally scans and identifies content that may need accessibility improvements, and the course instructor can use these suggestions to make improvements. 
2. What happens when a course is copied? Does Ally go with the course copy? Yes. When you copy a course, all alternative formats and instructor feedback will also be available in the new course.
3. Will Ally change my course appearance? The only difference you'll see within your course is that Ally provides an accessibility score for your files. A gauge icon next to your course files represents the score. Select the gauge to view and improve your file accessibility.
4. What do students see? Students see a menu to the left or right of each document. From this menu, they can select Alternative formats to access available versions to download. Although they can download alternative formats of your files, it is best to improve the documents through instructor feedback. Additionally, Ally’s website includes tutorials and instructions for students.
5. What happens to my original files? The original file stays in your Canvas course. Ally doesn't move, delete or store a copy of the original.  

Resources:

• Ally Support Website - https://help.blackboard.com/Ally/Ally_for_LMS/Instructor
• Introduction to Ally PowerPoint - Introduction to Ally (PPT)

 

What is Ally?

Ally is a tool that integrates with Canvas that gives you the ability to convert course content to alternative formats. Ally serves to further FGCU’s commitment to providing equal access to course content.

What Alternative Formats does Ally provide?

Alternative formats are copies of the original content in a different format. Students can use Ally to create alternative formats of course content, such as text-to-speech. 

Resources:

• Explore the Ally Student Demonstration Course
• Ally Support Website - https://help.blackboard.com/Ally/Ally_for_LMS/Student 

 

 

Setting Up Badging:

• Understanding Micro-credentials
• Creating a Badgr Account 
• Activating Badgr in the Course Navigation Menu
• Adding an Additional Email to Badgr Account
• Setting module and badge completion requirements in Canvas 
• Tracking Student Badge Progress in Canvas as an Instructor 

Badge Sharing:

• Sharing badges from Badgr

• Sharing badges on Social Media

• Sharing badges from within Canvas

Badge Troubleshooting:

• Preventing duplicate badges from being issued in Canvas
• Your session has expired, please refresh
• Enrollment not yet accepted or Badgr cannot access student email address
• Unexpected badge award behaviors in Canvas
• Missing my badge
• I didn't get a verification email from Badgr

FGCU Tutorial Documents:

• Engaging Students with Pre-Recorded Lectures (PDF)
• My Media Overview (PDF) - This tutorial provides an overview of the My Media area in Canvas
• Media Gallery Overview (PDF) - This tutorial provides an overview of the Media Gallery area in Canvas
• My Media vs Media Gallery (PDF) - Read here to explore the differences between My Media and Media Gallery in Canvas
• How to Add Media (PDF) - This tutorial covers the 5 options for adding media to your course
• How to Add a YouTube Video (PDF) - This tutorial covers instructions on how to link a YouTube video in Kaltura
• How to Download a Copy of your Media (PDF) - This tutorial explains how to enable a downloading link for viewers of the media you've uploaded or created in Kaltura Capture
• How to Embed a Kaltura Media in Canvas (PDF) - This tutorial covers instructions on how to embed a video within the Rich Content Editor section of an Assignment
• How to Edit Captions - REACH (PDF) - Learn how to edit the automatically generated captions in your videos
• How to Download Close Captions (PDF) - This tutorial provides the steps to save a copy of your Kaltura media closed captions
• Kaltura Media Collaboration (PDF) - This tutorial covers instructions on how to add another Canvas user as Co-Editor and/or Co-Publisher of your media
• How to Locate Kaltura Capture Files on your Computer (PDF) - This document outlines the process of locating and uploading your recorded media
• How to Locate Co-Editor and/or Co-Publisher Media (PDF) - This tutorial covers instructions on how to locate media when you've been added as Co-Editor and/or Co-Publisher by another Canvas user
• Creating and Working with Interactive Video Quizzes (PDF) - This tutorial reviews the Interactive Video Quiz feature, which allows you to add quiz questions to any video you upload
• Linking your Interactive Video Quiz to Canvas Gradebook (PDF) - Review this tutorial to learn how to link your Interactive Video Quiz to Canvas Assignments and Grades
• Copying a Kaltura Video Quiz (PDF) - Instructions on how to copy an existing Kaltura video quiz for a new course
• How to Publish Media from Media Gallery (PDF) - Instructions on how to publish media you have created or uploaded under My Media to allow students to access the videos
• How to Publish Media from My Media (PDF) - Instructions on how to publish media you have created or uploaded under My Media to allow students to access the videos under the Media Gallery link

Videos:

• How to Create and Manage Hotspots?
• Kaltura Capture Tutorials
• Kaltura Learning Video Tutorials

Kaltura Capture:

• Kaltura Capture: Getting Started
• Kaltura Capture: Download for Mac Users
• Kaltura Capture: Download for Windows Users
• Kaltura Capture: Manage Settings
• Kaltura Capture: Screen Recording
• Kaltura Capture: Screen & Webcam
• Kaltura Capture: Voice Recorder & Editing your Media

Embedding Kaltura Media in Canvas:

• How to Embed a Video onto a Page
• How to Add a Kaltura Media into a Module
• How to Publish Kaltura Media to a Media Gallery
• How to Embed Kaltura Media in a Canvas Quiz Question

Kaltura Knowledge Center

Boost Student Learning with Pre-Recorded Videos

Pre-recorded videos targeting skill development have shown to greatly improve student learning. One explanation for this is students have greater control over the pace of their learning, pausing, and rewinding as needed. (1)

Even with thousands of videos available on YouTube, Khan Academy and other websites, there are many reasons to record your own videos. The Instructional Technologist team of Digital Learning produced the following list of technology that supports the recording of demonstrations, worked examples and similar skill-based instruction.

Whichever technology/method you choose to record your videos, remember to use Kaltura to add them into your Canvas course(s). Kaltura unlocks analytics that allow you to monitor progress and identify areas where you may need to provide focused support.

If you have questions or want to discuss recording videos for your FGCU course(s), contact Digital Learning's Technologist team at (239) 590-7024 or elearning@fgcu.edu.

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BigBlueButton (BBB) in Canvas

Modality: Asynchronous and Synchronous purposes

Pricing: Available through our Canvas LMS

Resources:

• Digital Learning website:  BigBlueButton
• Blindside Networks: Using the Multi-User Whiteboard
• Canvas Guides: BigBlueButton

Support: Help Desk | helpdesk@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-1188

*To use the Whiteboard feature in BBB, we recommend using an iPad with a digital pen and login to your Canvas account using Safari 

 

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Microsoft Teams Meetings - Whiteboard Feature

Modality: Asynchronous and Synchronous purposes

Pricing: Available through your Microsoft Teams

Resources:

•  FGCU Knowledgebase - Microsoft Teams

Support: Help Desk | helpdesk@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-1188

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Start a Teams meeting and begin a Whiteboard session using the "Share content" button - in addition to sharing your screen, a window, or a PowerPoint file you now also see a "Microsoft Whiteboard" option:

• Microsoft Teams Meetings can be used in Canvas, from a Desktop, or tablet
• Whiteboard for Microsoft Teams Meetings and Web now available in GCC – July 15, 2021

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Zoom

Modality: Asynchronous and Synchronous purposes

Pricing: Available to all FGCU Faculty/Staff

Resources:

• Accessing your Zoom FGCU Account
• Zoom Help Center: Sharing a Whiteboard

Support: Help Desk | helpdesk@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-1188

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Classroom Doc Cam

Modality: Asynchronous and Synchronous purposes

Pricing Available in the classrooms

Resources:

•  Classroom Podium Quick Reference Guide (Creston) 

Support:

• For assistance with the classroom Doc Cam, please contact the Help Desk | helpdesk@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-1188
• For assistance with using your iPad with Zoom in the classroom, contact Digital Learning Instructional Technologists

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Teaching class face-to-face using the Classroom Doc Cam but have some students that need to join remotely? For such cases, we recommend using Zoom. Zoom allows you to enable the Mirror my Video option from your video settings so that Zoom participants do not see your video backwards. 

• 

  Nerds Chalk: What is Mirror My Video on Zoom, How it Works, and Should You Enable It?

  Teaching class face-to-face but want to use a Whiteboard on your iPad? For such cases, we recommend using Zoom. Set up a Zoom Meeting ahead of class and email yourself the link to the Meeting. Upon arriving to the classroom, login to the classroom desktop, access the Meeting URL to join the from the desktop and display your screen on the projector. Now from your iPad, access the same Meeting using the Zoom app and share the Whiteboard.

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MirrorMeThis - BrightFingers

Modality: Asynchronous and Synchronous purposes

Pricing:  Buy Here: https://www.brightfingers.com/shop/mirrormethis

Resources:

• Website: https://www.brightfingers.com/mirrormethis
• Recommended to be used with Zoom on a Laptop that has a built-in webcam.
• Works with most MacBook, Chromebook, or Windows laptop.
• How it works: https://www.brightfingers.com/mirrormethis-gallery

Support: Zoom is supported by FGCU but MirrorMeThis is not. For help with Zoom contact the Help Desk | helpdesk@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-1188

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iPad - Notes App

Modality: Asynchronous purposes

Steps for recording:

1. Open your Notes app and use the Apple Pencil to write/draw.
2. Record using your iOS Screen Recording feature; remember to turn on your Mic.
3. Confirm that your video has been saved to your Photos App
4. Upload the video file it to your Microsoft OneDrive App
5. From a Desktop/Laptop, login to your OneDrive account, and download the video.
6. Login to Canvas and upload the video file to Kaltura using the Media Upload 

Support: Digital Learning | elearning@fgcu.edu | (239) 590-7024

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Explain Everything Whiteboard

Modality: Asynchronous and Synchronous purposes

Pricing: https://explaineverything.com/pricing/ 

Resources:

• Desktop version: https://whiteboard.explaineverything.com/
• iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/explain-everything-basics/id431493086
• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explaineverything.explaineverything&hl=en_US&gl=US

Support: Not supported by FGCU

 

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(1) Noetel, M., Griffith, S., Delaney, O., Sanders, T., Parker, P., del Pozo Cruz, B., & Lonsdale, C. (2021). Video Improves Learning in Higher Education: A Systematic Review. Review of Educational Research, 91(2), 204–236. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654321990713

 

TechSmith Capture is a free screen casting computer program used to take screen-shots or video of the user's computer screen and upload it to the web to share with others.

Download and Create an Account

• Follow the free download link
• Choose a version for TechSmith Capture (Windows or Mac)
• Open the setup.exe file you just downloaded
• Click the Run button
• Check the "Accept the fine print" Checkbox
• Click the Install button
• Click Yes ("Do you want to allow the following program to install software on this computer?")
• Click the Finish button
• Complete the "Welcome" tutorial when it launches; click Play
• Sign Up - Create a new account

Tutorials

• https://support.techsmith.com/hc/en-us/sections/360010127012-TechSmith-Capture-Help

Documents:

• Creating a Turnitin LTI Assignment in Canvas
• Creating a Turnitin LTI Assignment with a Canvas Rubric
• How to change Turnitin settings for an Assignment
• How to Submit a Student Paper through Turnitin
• Student Guide
• Instructor Quick Start Guide

Videos:

• How to Create a Turnitin Assignment in Canvas
• How to Update your Turnitin Assignment for the New Turnitin/Canvas Integration
• Turnitin Settings Tutorial

This information is provided for Supervisors who seek guidance on accessing their SPol Administrator Accounts and related EvaluationKit Tutorials.

For Instructors in need of assistance with individual SPol surveys within a course, contact SPolAdmin@fgcu.edu

 

Resources and Information:

• SPol Administrator Access to SPol for Supervisors - Login to https://fgcu.evaluationkit.com/ with your FGCU Email and unique EvaluationKit password
• SPol Administrator Tutorials for Supervisors - Login to https://fgcu.evaluationkit.com/ with your FGCU Email and unique EvaluationKit password
• For assistance with accessing your SPol Administrator account, contact SpolAdmin@fgcu.edu 

Have questions about implementing technology into your course, or looking for technology to address specific needs? Take advantage of drop-in hours to receive assistance quickly and conveniently.

Faculty can meet with one of FGCU’s Instructional Technologists to explore technology, for example:

• Utilizing Canvas features (Discussions, Gradebook, New Quizzes, etc.)
• Technology for remote/online instruction
• Implementing Kaltura
• Turnitin
• SPoI
• Ally

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Sessions occur every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10am – 11am and 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Join Virtual Session

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Please note: The purpose of the drop-in sessions is not intended to replace formal training offered by Digital Learning or technical troubleshooting.

• If you are looking for Canvas Training, please visit: Faculty Professional Development

• If you need to report a Canvas related issue, please visit the ITS HelpDesk: Faculty & Staff Technology Support