Instructional Support Center
The Instructional Support Center (ISC) is a faculty-support center that provides consulting services, training, and access to state-of-the-art computer equipment for use by Temple faculty who are interested in incorporating technology into the teaching/learning process. The ISC has knowledgeable staff who can demonstrate the latest instructional technologies, assist you with using these technologies, and provide advice on how to best meet your instructional goals.
ISC News
Blackboard 7.3 is now available
On Wednesday, January 2, Blackboard was upgraded from version 7.2 to 7.3. The new version mainly improves the Discussion Board interface and resolves an issue related to the appearance of Discussion Board posts.
In addition,
the customized enhancements described below were implemented.
Create Groups tool
Enables instructors to automatically create and populate groups within
courses by CRN. This means courses with multiple sections will be able
to quickly and easily create groups for each section within Blackboard
courses. The Group tool is available on the "Course Tools" tab.
Search LX
Allows users to search for content available to them in Blackboard. This includes content in courses and communities in which you are enrolled and/or teaching and courses and communities that allow guest access. Search LX is available on the “My Blackboard” tab.
Expo
Allows users to create blogs and wikis independently and outside of Blackboard courses and communities. This means students can create their own blogs and wikis and will not lose access to content in those blogs and wikis when un-enrolled from courses. Expo is available on the “My Blackboard” tab.
Scholar
A social bookmarking service is an online space where faculty and students can store and tag bookmarks and share them with others. Since Scholar is integrated within Blackboard, students can easily share resources with classmates and instructors. Access to Scholar is through the Scholar tab that at the top of the Blackboard screen.
More Information
Information about these and other Blackboard features and custom enhancements is available on the How-To page. Also, please feel free to contact the Instructional Support Center if you have any questions or would like a demonstration or consultation on any of these enhancements.
Turning Point Upgrade
Over the winter break, TurningPoint (clicker) software was upgraded from version 2006 to 2008 in Temple University smart classrooms. This upgrade was necessary to ensure compatibility with Office 2007 as version 2008 works with both PowerPoint 2003 and 2007.
TurningPoint 2008 also offers other enhancements such as plug and play hardware setup, expanded reporting options, and multiple language support. Presentations created in TurningPoint 2006 will work in TurningPoint 2008.
If you would like to download TurningPoint 2008, it is available as a free download from the Help Desk website at https://download.temple.edu. Electronic user manuals are included with the downloaded software, and getting started documentation, which includes download instructions, can be found in the How-To section of this website.
Respondus is now available
Computer Services recently purchased a site license of Respondus Campus 3.5. Respondus is a software application that allows users to create and manage assessments and surveys offline that can be printed or published to Blackboard. To download a copy of the software, visit the Help Desk Download site, here.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact the Instructional Support Center (215-204-8529).
ISC Policies
- The Instructional Support Center (ISC) is for use by Temple
University faculty working on Temple University course-related
instructional materials.
- Students developing instructional materials for Temple faculty
are permitted to use the ISC with prior permission from the
ISC manager and a written letter from the sponsoring faculty.
- You must present your Temple University ID and check in at
the reception desk before entering the ISC.
- You must provide storage media such as disks, zip cartridges,
or CDs to save your work.
- You must bring your own paper. You will be permitted to make
one copy of your output.
- The ISC is not responsible for disks, documents, or other
materials including electronic documents left in the ISC.
- Scheduled appointments take precedence over walk-in clients.
- No drinking or eating is permitted in the ISC.
- Off-campus phone calls are not permitted from the ISC phone.