New & Coming Soon

As part of the GroupWise implementation, Valparaiso University will be implementing the PureMessage SPAM and virus filter system. Much like our current system, PureMessage will tag messages and store them in a separate quarantine area, thus not cluttering up your inbox. Messages you determine to be ones you want can be released to your mail. 

Pure Message is similar to our current SPAM quarantine system with the following additional features:

• User controllable white list/black list

• Ability to opt out of the system completely

• Periodic digest message containing information on messages that have been quarantined

• Extension of the message deletion date for those held in the quarantine while you're vacation or away from campus for an extended period of time

Valparaiso University provides licensed copies of Sophos Anti-Virus software for university-owned computers, student-owned computers, and for faculty and staff use at home.  Most university-owned computers have been updated to Sophos.  If you haven't heard from us already about updating your department's computers, please contact the IT Help Desk.  Students may install Sophos on their personally owned computer.  In addition, Sophos is available to faculty and staff for home use.  All copies installed on personally owned computers are valid for as long as you are affiliated with VU.  Please see the VU Antivirus page for information on how to download and install the software.

Quite a few new features have been added with the May upgrade to Blackboard. Additional ways to communicate to students, enhanced assessment features, and an early warning system are just a few features new to Blackboard this year.

Other popular new features include:

• WYSIWYG--Blackboard has added a “What You See Is What You Get” text editor box in several areas including adding content items. Now adding color, bold, bulleted or numbered lists to your text is easier than ever.
• Announcements--Instructors now have the option while creating a new announcement to automatically email a copy of the announcement to all of the students. Rather than relying on students to log in to see new announcements, you can deliver a copy to their inbox is a snap.
• Test Timer--During a timed quiz or test, the test timer will appear to help students keep track of time.
• Extra Credit--Instructors can enable the option to designate one or more questions as extra credit. Therefore, students will get extra points if the question is answered correctly but not lose points for wrong answers.

Faculty and staff interested in learning the new features in a hands-on session scheduled for Friday, September 14th from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. can contact Jen Gregory at Jen.Gregory@valpo.edu to make a reservation. The Instructional Design and Faculty Consulting Center always encourages instructors to make one-on-one appointments as well to help facilitate discussion.

The Office of Infomation Technology's Instructional and Learning Services is offering several instructional workshops on the Tech Carts located in classrooms on campus. These workshops will cover the various features and technology found in the carts. Tech cart keys will be distributed to Faculty following each workshop session if they attend. If you are unable to attend these sessions, please contact William Klein, Instructional Design and Multimedia Specialist, to set up a one-on-one consultation. He can be reached by phone at x5754 or via email at william.klein@valpo.edu.

Mueller Hall, Room 110
Chapel Break and 4:00p - 5:00p
Friday September 14, 2007

Meier Hall, Room 140
Chapel Break and 3:00p - 4:00p
Tuesday September 18, 2007

Urschel Hall, Room 120
Chapel Break and 1:30p - 2:30p
Wednesday, September 19, 2007