Month: September 2020

Zoom – Feature Updates in the 9/21/20 Version Update

Hopefully you’ve already updated your Zoom client on all of your various devices (desktops, laptops, mobile) – but if not, please do!  Not only does Zoom corporate do regular bug fixes thru updates, but feature changes and additions happen on a regular basis.  “You’ll be glad you did!”

If your Mac or PC computer is managed by ASCTech, this version was pushed out to you – but check the version on your installation: it should read “5.3.0” or higher.

The 9/21/20 release is especially noteworthy, as we got a number of feature changes that are very relevant to thems-that-use-breakout-rooms (down in the “Meeting Features” section). Contact your support team about any questions or special situations you might have, but self-selecting on breakouts may be very useful (think: virtual poster sessions!).

 

A selected list of details from the Zoom update page includes:

September 21, 2020 version 5.3.0 (52651.0920)
New and enhanced features

  • General features
    • Calendar Integration sync improvement
      Deleting a meeting in the desktop client will now delete the calendar event on the synced calendar, if write permission is given.
    • Enhanced scheduling with default settings
      Scheduling a new meeting will always check the user’s web settings and use those as the default. Any changes from the default will be saved for that meeting only.
  • Meeting/webinar features
    • Virtual Background not compatible explanation
      When you are unable to use the virtual background feature, the desktop client will provide clarification, for example, the i7-5500U processor is not currently compatible with this feature.
  • Meeting features
    • Self-select Breakout Room
      The host can now create breakout rooms with the option for participants to self-select which breakout room they would like to join. If enabled, participants can move freely between breakout rooms, without needing the host’s help. Both the meeting host and participants need to be on Client 5.3.0 or later to self-select Breakout Rooms.
    • Share files with Microsoft SharePoint
      Attendees can now share files from SharePoint directly through in-meeting chat.
  • Chat features
    • Right-click menu for links in IM chat
      Right-clicking a link will now display a menu, providing options to copy or open the link.
    • Improved image preview and image viewer
      Images sent in IM chat integrate better with sent text, and images will open within the Zoom desktop client’s new image viewer.
    • Enhanced Link Preview
      Zoom meeting links will now show more details, such as meeting name, ID, start time, Join button, and meeting duration when done.
    • Enhanced Search
      Desktop users can filter by Order, Sent by, and date filters for file search. Mobile users can filter by Order for file search. All image search results will display as thumbnail previews. Channel and contact results will also be split into their own categories. Users can also clear the list of recent searches.
    • Mark as Unread for images and files
      Transferred files and images can also be marked as unread.

Carmen – SpeedGrader – How Do My Students See My Feedback?

SpeedGrader is a great way to take Assignment submissions in Carmen, and provide feedback not only on the overall work, but at specific points (“in-text” annotations) within the submission document.

Students may have problems finding the feedback you’ve provided – it is rather hidden… so how can your students see your comments?

Mike Bierschenk, of ASCTech, has constructed an excellent reference guide that you can provide in your course; it walks through:

  • New grade or comment notification;
  • Accessing the Assignment’s Submission Details page;
  • Layout of the Submission Details page (the all-important “View Feedback” link); and
  • Previewing and downloading in-text feedback.

A quick note about Notifications: remember that your students have control over what kind of notifications they receive from a course.  To learn more about Notifications preferences (both from the instructor and student views), check out the Teaching and Learning Resource Center’s guide.

I hope this helps you and your students; my thanks to Mike for sharing his excellent documentation!

New Topic: MS Teams

I’ve launched some initial content relating to Microsoft Teams, and especially outlining the upcoming migration away from BuckeyeBox, that will happen before end of June, 2021.

More posts and pages will be forthcoming, as we learn more about the transition, but you can get started here.

OSU Libraries Research Commons – Computer Lab Access Now Available

Need a remote computer on which to do your research?  The University Libraries Research Commons remote computer lab could have exactly what you need!

Grad students, postdocs, faculty and staff can reserve a computer with specialized software for almost the entire day (10AM-5PM, Monday through Friday).

Check out the specs and specific software on offer, and submit your request for use by the end of the business day, before the day of your requested reservation. The “Scarlet” pod of computers is specc’ed and configured somewhat differently than the “Grey” pod, and some software is available on all lab computers.

Skype for Biz v. MS Teams v. Zoom – Which Tool Do I Use, When?

Confused on when to use MS Teams or Skype for Business or Zoom?  And what are the differences between these tools, anyway??

If you scratch your head sometimes on what to use when, you’re in good company around campus (and that confusion will get a bit deeper, as we transition away from Skype, eventually)!

I just found an excellent resource article from OCIO on the subject (7/13/2020), with a really good comparison chart; it also summarizes considerations you’ll want to think about for certain situations (e.g., “most of campus” versus MedCenter; restricted data issues, etc.).

Check it out…