Techfest, scheduled for March 9th from 11:30 - 1:30 in the University Center (rooms UC310, UC 312, and the UC Lounge), is an event sponsored by the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) to bring the campus community together and present ways that technology can both support and improve the efficiency of day-to-day activities. We’re very excited to have Jack Suess, UMBC’s Chief Information Officer, present the “Managing Your Gmail Tips & Tricks” workshop at this event. Prize drawings will be held for those that register and attend, and vendor giveaways will be distributed to attendees on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Registration for Techfest will open later this week. Check out some of the sessions will be offered:

Session 1 (11:35 - 12:00pm):

Blackboard Tips & Tricks

Where's my iCloud?

Session 2 (12:05pm - 12:30pm):

Collaborating with Google Docs

Linkedin 101

Upgrade Your Notes with OneNote

Session 3 (12:35pm - 1:00pm):

Collaborating with Google Docs

Making the Most of Your Linkedin

Managing Your Gmail Tips & Tricks

Session 4 (1:05pm - 1:30pm):

7 Secrets of Effective Calendaring

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The DoIT Technology Support Center is looking to hire additional consultants to work during the Spring. Please see our job description below and visit our job posting on UMBCWorks to apply. The position will be open for applications until February 3rd. 

(Search for TSC Student Consultant.)

We're looking, specifically, for students who are able to work between the hours below:

Mondays 12-4PM; 6-8PM

Tuesdays 10AM-4PM

Wednesdays 12-4PM; 6-8PM

Thursdays 8AM-12PM

Fridays 11AM-2PM

TSC Student Consultant Job Description

Technology Support Center (TSC) student consultants are the first points of technical contact for the UMBC community and those who do well often go on to work in other areas of the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Minimally, consultants are expected to provide initial triage and support for a wide-range of information technologies including accounts, hardware, instructional technologies, networking, software, telecommunications, and basic web development.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide technical assistance to users by phone, online and in person;
• Answer TSC phones in a professional and courteous manner;
• Create, update and resolve tickets in the Request Tracker (RT) ticketing system;
• Create, update, suggest and recommend relevant FAQ articles to users (www.umbc.edu/faq);
• Provide direct assistance to users on technical issues they cannot easily resolve on their own;
• Complete in-person or online training about quality support as defined in umbc.edu/go/ticketrubric;
• Respond to all work related communications in a timely manner;
• Escalate urgent problems to the Full-Time staff, as appropriate.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate by phone or in person.
• Demonstrated writing ability.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve successful outcomes in handling difficult situations and customers.
• Demonstrated analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability & willingness to learn coupled with clear understanding of one’s technical abilities, so as to triage and escalate an issue that leads to an effective solution for the user.

Looking to have more say on topics selected for training each month? Starting SP2016, faculty will determine which topic will be featured each month in our monthly workshop series. The first workshop will take place in February.  

Faculty will follow these steps in order to vote for the workshop(s) of their choice:

1. Participate in the myUMBC poll to vote for up to three topics to be the focus of the next month’s workshop.  

2. Participate in a Doodle poll to determine the date and time the workshop will be held.

3. Watch for updates about the event:

• Follow the Instructional Technology group page

• RSVP to attend the session once the topic and date are finalized

Questions? Contact us at instructionaltechnology@umbc.edu.

For more information about Instructional Technology:

• Follow our Instructional Technology group page

• Visit our FAQ collection

• Open an RT ticket

• Request an appointment with an instructional technology specialist

An impending blizzard during the winter season reminds us all of potential disruptions to course delivery due to snow and icy weather. Last year, Dr. Anne Spence successfully used Blackboard Collaborate to replace face-to-face sessions after snow delays canceled several class sessions. Several instructional technology tools are available to support teaching and learning when classes cannot meet. 

Blackboard Learn is UMBC’s learning management system. It is hosted by Blackboard to ensure a stable and reliable environment 24/7. Blackboard offers three core themes to support instruction: content management; communication, collaboration & engagement; and assessment & grade management.

Content Management

• Upload syllabus, course materials & handouts
• Post presentations
• Share links & resources
• Embed YouTube videos
• Link to TechSmith Relay screencasts

Communication, Collaboration & Engagement

• Facilitate & continue course discussions
• Send email & messages
• Post announcements
• Manage small group activities
• Support blogs, wikis & journals

• Distribute & collect assignments
• Grade electronically with rubrics & embedded feedback
• Post grades
• Maintain digital gradebook
• Deliver tests & secure with Respondus LockDown Browser 

The DoIT Technology Support Center is looking to hire additional consultants to work during the Spring. Please see our job description below and visit our job posting on UMBCWorks to apply. The position will be open for applications until January 15th. 

(Search for TSC Student Consultant.)

Technology Support Center (TSC) student consultants are the first points of technical contact for the UMBC community and those who do well often go on to work in other areas of the Division of Information Technology (DoIT). Minimally, consultants are expected to provide initial triage and support for a wide-range of information technologies including accounts, hardware, instructional technologies, networking, software, telecommunications, and basic web development.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide technical assistance to users by phone, online and in person;

• Answer TSC phones in a professional and courteous manner;

• Create, update and resolve tickets in the Request Tracker (RT) ticketing system;

• Create, update, suggest and recommend relevant FAQ articles to users (www.umbc.edu/faq);

• Provide direct assistance to users on technical issues they cannot easily resolve on their own;

• Complete in-person or online training about quality support as defined inumbc.edu/go/ticketrubric;

• Respond to all work related communications in a timely manner;

• Escalate urgent problems to the Full-Time staff, as appropriate.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate by phone or in person.

• Demonstrated writing ability.

• Demonstrated ability to achieve successful outcomes in handling difficult situations and customers.

• Demonstrated analytical and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability & willingness to learn coupled with clear understanding of one’s technical abilities, so as to triage and escalate an issue that leads to an effective solution for the user.