Teaching & Learning

AEFIS (Assessment, Evaluation, Feedback, Intervention System)

AEFIS is a multi-purpose system that allows schools to perform various tasks associated with Assessment. It allows schools to run course evaluations, and other surveys. It also allows faculty to collect assessment information for program evaluation and accreditation purposes. Departments can also use it for accreditation review.

Blackboard (Learning Management System) – For Faculty & Instructors

Blackboard is the University's Learning Management System and provides faculty and instructors a place to manage their course content, collect student assignments, facilitate online tests, and more. It also provides access to many of the technology tools available for teaching.

Blackboard (Learning Management System) – For Students

Helpful documentation and descriptions of Blackboard features and tools for students. If you have questions about Blackboard, or the student portal in general, check out the Student FAQ.

Blackboard Basics

The following are some basic features of Blackboard that will help you manage your course.

Blackboard Discussion Boards

The Discussion Board is an asynchronous communication tool that lets students or groups of students participate in threaded online forums. Discussion boards are hierarchically organized forums with threads and replies. Typically used by instructors to post course-related questions and have students provide answers.

Blackboard Grading

Blackboard has the ability to distribute interim grades (homework, quizzes, tests, assignments) to students throughout the term.

Blackboard Online Assessment

Collecting assignments electronically via the Assignments tool is one of the most popular used in Blackboard. Blackboard can also be used to facilitate online tests and surveys. Tools often used for online conversations (discussions, blogs etc.) can also be graded and managed in the Grade Center by the instructor.

Blackboard Online Course Content

Delivering content online to your students is an important part of your teaching process. You can deliver any electronic digital information to your students through Blackboard.

Classroom Technology

Event and Classroom Management provides classroom technology support to classes and other curricular activities for the College of Arts, Sciences & Engineering. This includes supporting traditional audio/visual needs as well as computer and multimedia projection in classrooms.

Computer Labs

Computer labs equipped with Windows and Macintosh computers, printers, and other technology are located around campus. Specialized software is installed on lab computers for use in coursework.

Instructional Technology Resources

Technology can assist with making instruction more effective, accessible, and comprehensive. A variety of instructional technology resources are available for faculty and students at the University.

IT Center Lending Library

The IT Center loans laptops to faculty, staff, and students for up to 3 days.

Online Collaboration Tools for Teaching

The University offers a number of options for online collaboration between students. These tools offer different workspaces for different purposes, including documentation, bulletin board, and annotation and note-taking.

Panopto

Panopto allows you to create your own desktop recordings, record lectures in certain classrooms, and upload external video for viewing through an integrated playback platform. Panopto is integrated with Blackboard to allow for restricted access to only students within your class to view materials.

Piazza

Piazza is a free, online gathering place where students can ask, answer, and explore 24/7, under the guidance of their instructors. Students as well as instructors can answer questions, fueling a healthy, collaborative discussion.

Polling (Poll Everywhere)

Poll Everywhere is a polling system that allows you to capture audience feedback live, across remote meetings, and in hybrid workspaces through live online polling, surveys, Q&As, quizzes, word clouds, and more.

Rettner 201 Software Consulting

Need help with software? Want to learn something new in 30 minutes? Try our new consulting service in Rettner 201. It's FREE!

Rettner Technology Lending Library

The Rettner Technology Lending Library provides Arts, Sciences & Engineering with access to an array of standard and experimental technologies, including GoPro action cameras, Google Glass, and Oculus Rift.

Software Licensing

The UR Tech Store manages software licenses for commonly used software programs across the University. For information about software not listed, please contact UR Tech Store.

UR Mobile

UR Mobile is the University's mobile app that provides on-the-go access, to events, the online directory, maps, bus tracking, and other resources. The app is available on iOS, and Android.

UR Student (Workday)

UR Student (Workday) is the University's primary student administration system and supports the processes associated with a student's progression from admission through graduation; including, student records, registration, course rosters, grading, advising, and transcripts. UR Student will be used by all faculty and students and is accessible via a mobile app.

Video Production

Video services include HD video recording and editing, green screen work, creating motion graphics, sharing or archiving content, storyboarding, outline development, and basic scripting. Common video productions include lecture/event recordings, tutorials, instructional/course content creation, and promotional videos.

Visualization

The VISTA Collaboratory is a visualization lab equipped with an interactive display wall that is connected to supercomputers. Capable of rendering massive data sets in real time, it provides an immersive environment to visualize and analyze complex data. Remove visualization is also available, allowing you to visualize data on Blue Hive and view it on your personal computer.

Voicethread (Discussion Board)

Voicethread is a tool that can allow you to have a conversation around media. It can be used to facilitate multimedia-based discussions and presentations. Linking Voicethread to your course will automatically create accounts for you (the instructor) and your students based on enrollment within the Blackboard course.