June 03, 2004
Feature Article
OIT offers summer workshops for Faculty and Staff
Short Courses for Staff
A full schedule of short courses for staff offered by the Office of Information Technology's (OIT) training unit can be found at http://www.oit.umd.edu/units/as/sc/schedule.html. Classes include MS Access, MS Excel, Dreamweaver and Flash MX and are offered for a minimal fee.
Please contact the program coordinator, Deb Mateik, at 405-2945 or zdeb@umd.edu with questions or concerns.
Worskshops for Faculty
The Institute for Instructional Technology is offering workshops that explore building web pages and creating presentations with MS PowerPoint as well as a variety of brief workshops to help faculty focus on a particular tool or pedagogical application of WebCT technologies. Several "Catching Up" sessions to help those currently maintaining courses in WebCT 3.2 will be offered. These sessions will explore the improvements and interface changes found in version 4.1 of WebCT.
Please see the IIT website for more information http://www.oit.umd.edu/iit/current.html or contact the program coordinator, Deb Mateik, at 405-2945 or zdeb@umd.edu with questions or concerns.
Did You Know?
Access files saved on the ARHU server from home
ARHU staff and faculty can use an ordinary web browser to access files saved on the college server from their home computer. Whether you have dial-up, DSL or cable modem, there is a procedure for you. Most computers in the college are set up to save files to the server automatically. How can you tell? If you have to type a username and password into a red and white Novell login dialog box when you turn on your computer, you are probably saving files to the college server. If you are not sure, contact your college support professional at 5-2104. For instructions on how to access files saved on the server from your home computer, visit http://www.arhu.umd.edu/technology/acs/documentation/acsconnect.html.
Cool Tools...
Contribute makes maintaining web pages easier
Contribute, software produced by Macromedia, Inc., allows non-technical users to update, create, and publish web content to any HTML website. Made by the same company that produces Dreamweaver, Macromedia Contribute has a much simpler interface than Dreamweaver. Contribute might be an option for you to consider if you do not have time to learn a sophisticated package or if you have staff working with you in that situation. A Contribute “key” can be sent in email to the web page “editor.” The editor can click the key which launches Contribute and loads the web site identified for editing. Standard navigation tools such as back/forward buttons and links within pages can be used to go to the page in need of changes. Click the “edit” button and standard text editing tools will be provided. Click the “publish” button and the changes will be made on the website to be viewed by the public. It’s that easy.
Visit Macromedia for more information
Operations Update
More help is on the way!
New ARHU Computing Services Staff Member
On June 1, Chris Watkins became the newest member of the Academic Computing Services Staff. He will join Jon Boone, Chookeat Jarvis and Alex Constellanos in providing desktop and user support services for the College of ARHU. Chris comes to us from the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures where he has worked in Language Media Services and Instructional Technology Support. Please join us in welcoming Chris to his new role in the College. He is a welcome addition to the Computing Services staff.
Website Spotlight...
ElementK Online Software Tutorials through OIT
Need to learn more about a particular software application but don't have the time to attend a workshop? OIT has made an online tutorial service available to the UM campus and its called Element K. ElementK is a major online learning site and specializes in e-Learning by offering interactive self-paced online courses. Elementk offers two kinds of training - Self-study courses and Instructor-led courses. Online tutorials for applications such as MS Access, MS Excel, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Macromedia Flash MX are available. All you need is your directory ID and password to login. Visit www.helpdesk.umd.edu/elementk or call 5-1500 for more information.