To:  All Learning System Instructors and Associates

In this Issue:
=========
1.  2010FW and 2011WI sites now hidden from students
2.  Summer 2011 sites -- link to request form for 2011S62 course instructors
3.  Student Number Self-Serve for Summer 2011 courses
4.  Specialized Software for Student Labs
5.  Assignment Dropbox and Student Scams
6.  learningSystem Workshops and Help?


1.  2010FW, 2011WI learningSystem/WebCT sites now hidden from students
=========================
As of yesterday, 2010FW and 2011WI sites and all EDUC sites except EDAQ courses have now been HIDDEN from student view.  Instructors/TAs can still see these sites, of course.

If you have not already done so, I would urge you to export your gradebooks from 2010-11 immediately such that you'll be prepared in the event that a student grade appeal occurs. 

Teach->Gradebook->Export to Spreadsheet * choose 'all columns', 'all students', leave the last two options at defaults.  Open the gradebook with Excel and save it with an appropriate name.

Fall 2010, Fall/Winter 2010 and Winter 2011 course sites WILL BE RESET ON OR AROUND Monday July 11th, 2011.


2.   Summer 2011 sites -- link to request form for 2011S62 course instructors
==========================
Please do not reply to this email with your course site requests, or request sites for 2011FW, 2011 FA or 2012WI at this time.

From www.trentu.ca/mls/instructors please choose 'Course Request' from the left menu
(direct link: http://www.trentu.ca/mls/instructors/course-request.shtml )

All requests send this way will be placed in a request queue in "RequestTracker" for either myself or Chris Boothroyd to process in the coming months.   If your course already exists in the learningSystem, please do feel free to update your materials once the course has been 'reset'.


3.  Student Number Self-Serve for Current Summer Courses
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I've developed a  web application that instructors can use to request a list of student numbers for their current learningSystem/WebCT gradebooks. 

It's a "Student Number Self-Serve".  Instructors can choose their course from a list of courses and the student number list is sent to a pre-authorized Trent email address.  It appears in the form of an import file for the gradebook.

If you'd like to request and receive a student number list for your summer course(s), you can do so at this address:
http://www.trentu.ca/mls/instructors  -- choose 'StuNumbers Request' from the left menu.   Instructions for the import come along with the email sent.

Note that you cannot use this application until your course has been loaded with students for the first time.


4.  Specialized Software for Student Labs
============
Reminder from the I.T. Technical Support Centre: All requests for Software for Fall 2011 need to be received in the Information Technology Department by the end of June, 2011.
 
Current software submission schedule, process and requisition template: http://www.trentu.ca/admin/it/software_submission.shtml
 
Requests should be followed by media as well as copies of the license agreement(s).
This schedule will assist in a smooth transition throughout the school year and assure the software has been tested and made available in the appropriate locations.

5.  Assignment Dropbox and Student Scams
 ============
There are two scams that students will/can try to get themselves a free extension to an assignment being collected by the assignment dropbox:

A) They upload an aptly named file, but purposefully do not clickon SUBMIT so you never get it.
B)  They purposefully upload a corrupted file that you cannot open.  

In both cases, the student fakes like they've honestly tried to fulfill their obligations.   By the time you the instructor realizes that there's something wrong and email them, they'll happily provide you with the proper attachment by email -- having gotten what they wanted/needed which is an extension.  Sigh.

In the Dropbox description (or in your syllabus under Academic Dishonesty??), you may want to save yourself some time and aggravation by stating these two warnings:

- Students who neglect to click on 'SUBMIT' for an assignment dropbox will receive zero for the assignment.
- Students who upload a corrupt document will receive zero for that assignment.  After uploading, click on the attachment to confim that the uploaded file can be opened.


6.  learningSystem Workshops and Help?
============
If you're having difficulty with a particular learningSystem tool, or would like to talk to one of us about how to take your site to "the next level", please let us know * we'd be happy to help.  Summer is a particularly great time for this.

A full slate of learningSystem workshops will be offered during the last two - three weeks of the summer, potentially beginning on August 15th.  An announcement of these workshops and online registration will be sent prior to these events!

Questions, comments?

mj