Students

News Items

Take Advantage of the "Ultimate Steal"

Through a new Microsoft promotion called the "Ultimate Steal," Temple students can now purchase a copy of Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 for only $59.95.

Included in the Microsoft Office Ultimate software suite are the following programs: Word 2007, Excel 2007, PowerPoint 2007, Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager, Access 2007, Publisher 2007, OneNote 2007, Accounting Express 2007, Groove 2007, and Infopath 2007.

The "Ultimate Steal" ends on April 30, 2008. To learn more about this exciting promotion and to purchase the software, please visit www.theultimatesteal.com. Note that the $59 price is for a downloaded version of the software only; a DVD option is available at time of purchase for an additional fee. There is also a limit of one purchase per eligible student.

Faculty/staff currently enrolled in at least .5 credit hours are eligible for this deal as well.

Free Developer Tools for Students

Through a new initiative from Microsoft called DreamSpark, Temple students can now download a suite of professional Microsoft software developer and design tools at no charge. These tools include Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition, Expression Studio, Windows Server 2003, and XNA Game Studio 2.0.

Students can obtain this software from a special page on the Journey Ed web site. On this web page, click on the "Add to Cart" link and then click on "Checkout." You will then be prompted through a check out process and will verify that you are a current student. When the Checkout process is completed, you will receive an e-mail with a link and access code that directs you to the Microsoft DreamSpark download site.

For more information about the exciting new DreamSpark program, including a list of all available products, go to the Microsoft web site.

Students Can Now Purchase Discounted Turning Point Clickers Online

In addition to the campus bookstore, students can now purchase Turning Point response pad (clickers) at a discount directly from the Turning Technologies online store. The onlne price is $30 plus shipping. For more information about Temple's Classroom Response Systems, and to register, change, or deactivate a response pad, go to the Classroom Response Systems page.

What's new for Spring 2008?

Technology at Temple Guide Available

For an overview of the University’s computer resources, explore the current edition of the Technology at Temple guide. The guide offers a snapshot of TUportal features, a summary of popular classroom tools, and information on getting connected to Temple’s technology resources. Note that you need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this publication.

Blackboard Upgraded

During the winter recess, the Blackboard system was upgraded to version 7.3. The new version of Blackboard improves the Discussion Board interface and resolves an issue related to the appearance of Discussion Board posts. This upgrade also provides customized enhancements to the following tools: 

• Create Groups enables instructors to automatically create and populate groups within courses by CRN.
• Search LX allows users to search for Blackboard content in courses and communities in which you are enrolled and/or teaching as well as those that allow guest access.
• Expo provides the ability to create blogs and wikis that are independent of Blackboard courses and communities.
• Scholar provides a bookmarking service that enables faculty and students to store, tag, and share bookmarks.

TurningPoint "Clicker" Software Upgraded

During the winter recess, the TurningPoint (clicker) software was upgraded to version 2008.

The TurningPoint upgrade ensures compatibility with Office 2007 and also offers enhancements such as plug and play hardware setup, expanded reporting options, and multiple language support. TurningPoint 2008 is available as a free download from the Help Desk website at: https://download.temple.edu. Note that electronic user manuals are included with the downloaded software.

Additional information about Blackboard and TurningPoint is available on the “How-To” page of the Instructional Support Center (ISC) Web site at: http://www.temple.edu/cs/isc.

WhisperRoom Recording Booths Debut at the TECH Center

The TECH Center now has three WhisperRoom booths, suitable for recording podcasts, vocal narrations, and other individual recording sessions. One of these booths is designed to accomodate students with disabilities.

ERP Implementation Activities Underway

Temple's major University-wide initiative to integrate and upgrade all administrative systems is in full swing. Teams and committees from across University departments have been formed to implement this $38 million, five-year Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) project called Enterprise.

For updated details about the ERP project, see the Welcome Message from Timothy O'Rourke, Vice President of Computer and Information Services.

Reminder to sign Up for Emergency Notifications

Last semester, Temple unveiled a new emergency notification system. If you have not already done so, please follow the instructions below to update your emergency notification information. The process takes less than a minute.

Updating Student Emergency Notification Information:
1. Go to http://owlnet.temple.edu and log in.
2. Click on the Update Address tab at the top of the screen.
3. Click on Emergency Notification on the left menu.
4. Follow the instructions to fill in your information.
5. When you have finished, click on Go.