Category: Tech Tips

Tech Tip of the Week: Where to Forward Spam Emails

iSchool Help Desk Tech Tip Where to Forward Your Spam

What Can We Do with Spammy Emails?

Perhaps during your time at the U of I you’ve received a spam email. Maybe something about giving money to a prince in a faraway land so that together you can unlock a fortune he will someday receive? First off, good work recognizing spam when you see it! Second off, there’s a step you can take going forward with that message. Please forward it to University Technology Services so future emails from that source will automatically be designated as spam. The address to forward spam to is report-spam@illinois.edu. To avoid having your email being marked as spam as well, please forward the spam email as an attachment. To do this, click on the three dots next to the arrow icon, and from the sidebar that appears, click Other reply actions. Another sidebar will appear, and you will want to select Forward as attachment. This will attach the email. By doing this, hopefully we will all receive fewer spammy emails!

 

Tech Tip of the Week: Jamboard

With so much instruction and meetings taking place online, it can be helpful to know how to use collaborative tools to make class and meetings more engaging. Jamboard is a great resource to do just that!

Jamboard is an online tool owned by Google that allows you to collaborate in real-time. Whether it is for an in-class activity, school group meeting, or collaborative and interactive group discussion, Jamboard can be a great way to share and organize ideas. Jamboards can also be saved and shared, making it easy to refer back to for future use. 

For more information on how to use Jamboard and all its amazing features, please check out the Jamboard page on the iSchool wiki here.

iSchool Help Desk Tech Tip of the Week! Jamboard jamboard.google.com

Tech Tip of the Week: FindTime

Tech Tip of the Week Findtime with picture of cellphone with a calendar on the screen.

Have you ever had to schedule a meeting with colleagues or classmates but struggle to find a time when you are all available? FindTime can help!

FindTime is a Microsoft add-in that you can use for polling meeting attendees or for easily seeing when all meeting attendees are available. It is similar to Doodle, but better for us since it’s already integrated with Outlook.

You can download FindTime here. To find out more information about FindTime and its polling feature, check out our documentation on the iSchool wiki here.

 

Tech Tip of the Week: Creating Polls Ahead of Time in Zoom

Did you know you can schedule polls for class ahead of time? You can, and the Help Desk has documentation to help walk you through the process!

This feature is especially helpful if you have a series of questions you want to ask, and it allows you to save time instead of scrambling to type up the questions before class. To read the Help Desk’s documentation on creating polls ahead of time go to this wiki page.

As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!

Tech Tip of the Week: Padlet

Have you heard of Padlet but never really knew how to navigate it? Have no fear, the Help Desk has documentation to help walk you through the different features Padlet has to offer! 
Padlet is a digital tool that can help teachers and students connect in realtime by offering a single space for a notice board. Teachers and students are able to feature images, links, videos, and documents, all gathered on a document that can be made public or private. Bonus: this tool is easily accessible from nearly any web browsing device!
To view the Help Desk’s full documentation on Padlet, please see our Padlet wiki page here.

Tech Tip of the Week: Scheduling Advising Appointments with Acuity

Today’s Tech Tip is about the iSchool at Illinois’ Acuity webpage where you can schedule to meet with advisors and other great resources during your time at the iSchool. With Acuity, you can schedule to meet with Karla Lucht or Katelyn Talbott for an advising session as an MSLIS student or with Denzel Goodloe as an MSIM Student. There are also advising options for CAS and Continuing Education students.

Among other options, you can also schedule a time to meet with Rebecca Hodson to talk about job searching, internships, and practicum or with Kristin Traniello to go over your cover letter and résumé! Check this page out to learn more about the entire range of options provided for appointments with our wonderful staff at the iSchool! If you are interested in meeting with Ruth Shasteen, our School Librarian Program Coordinator, she can be reached here. 
Have a great week, iSchoolers!

Tech Tip of the Week: Digital Security Basics

It is important to keep your computer and information as safe as possible while using the internet. Secure passwords will reduce the chance of someone hacking your accounts, backup storage will make you less vulnerable to ransomware, and being aware of malware and phishing threats will help prevent personal information from being leaked. The iSchool wiki has an entire page dedicated to tips and suggestions to keep you safe online. The page includes:
      • Tips on how to ensure strong passwords
      • Suggestions for password managers like KeePass
      • How to backup your computer and information
      • How to protect against and avoid malware and phishing
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us at the Help Desk!

Tech Tip of the Week: Learning Resources from CITL   

Here at the University of Illinois we have an amazing resource with the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL), and they provide resources for both instructors and students.  In their own words: “The Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning is a hub of innovation and hands-on support for those who want to discuss and work with higher education trends, models, projects, and resources. CITL uses leading pedagogical approaches, research-based methodologies, innovative instructional technologies, and comprehensive assessment practices to strengthen teaching efforts and improve student learning outcomes.”  Today’s Tech Tip will break down some of the resources CITL provides for both online and in-person instruction and learning.
    1. To learn more about CITL:
3. Instructor Resources
4. Visit the CITL Innovative Space!
      • “The studio is a 25-seat interactive visualization, makerspace, and VR classroom all in one. We have a video wall for visualizations, 10 VR/video editing/gaming workstations, and an array of emerging technologies, including virtual reality, laser cutting, 3D printing, 3D modeling, mixed reality, and much more. ” Check it out here!

Tech Tip of the Week: Assigning Student Roles in Breakout Rooms

It can be difficult to engage students when teaching over Zoom, but utilizing breakout rooms is an effective way to make larger classes feel more like a community. They can also give students who are reluctant to talk on microphone in the main room a chance to communicate with classmates.
Assigning roles in breakout rooms can help break the ice and ensure that everyone participates, and the iSchool Wiki has a great page that walks you through different roles and the best ways to incorporate them into your online courses. Roles can include:
      • Manager or Facilitator: makes sure group stays on task and reminds everyone of the questions they need to discuss.
      • Recorder: takes notes during the group discussion and posts them to a class forum if need be.
      • Spokesperson or Presenter: shares what the group talked about with the entire class after breakout rooms close.
      • Reflector or Strategy Analyst: guides the group to a final consensus or decision if need be.
      • Challenger: asks questions during the discussion.
      • Timekeeper: keeps track of time and makes sure everyone gets the same amount of speaking time.

If using these roles, it is a good habit to share the definitions of each role with your class and put the way you want them to assign roles (alphabetical by first/last name, birthday, etc.) in the chat. Make sure to also share the discussion questions you want them to answer before sending them into breakout rooms as participants won’t be able to view the screensharing once they are in the breakout rooms.Â