Summer upgrades and improvements

Posted on: August 18, 2015 | By: Dan Reis | Filed under: Instructional Technologies

Summer upgrade iconOver the summer, Instructional & Campus Technologies made a number of improvements that will impact students, faculty, and staff. Below are some highlights. 

Microsoft Office

Over the summer, all Windows computer labs and newly issued Windows computers were updated to Microsoft Office 2013 (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.). Visit the Technology Wiki for general information about Office 2013, including links to training and tutorials.

  • Students: Students are eligible to download one license of the Microsoft Office 2013 through Kivuto’s E-Academy, free of charge. Visit the Technology Wiki to find full product details, registration instructions, and download instructions.
  • Faculty and staff: Faculty and staff may request an upgrade to Office 2013 by contacting the Technology Service Desk at servicedesk@elon.edu or 336.278.5200.

Note: Microsoft Office 2016 was recently released in late summer for Mac users. University computers, including lab computers, were unable to be updated in time. More information about Office 2016 will be available in the near future.

Moodle and Mediacore (Faculty)

  • Moodle was updated in July (version 2.8). This update included several upgrades, including changes to the Gradebook and forums. Learn more about the upgrades by visiting this recent blog post or the Technology Wiki.
  • The MediaCore plugin (video solution for Moodle) was updated and now includes a MyMedia folder. This allows you to upload a video, pictures, and large files to a personal folder rather than only associating them with a specific course. MediaCore also released a mobile app that lets you record and upload video and pictures from your Apple, Android, and Window devices. Learn more by visiting the Advanced Moodle Features section on the Technology Wiki.

Facilities and infrastructure upgrades

  • Computers were replaced in the following labs:
    • Alamance: 315 and 318
    • Belk Library: Commons, 113, 205, Multimedia, and Periodicals
    • Carlton: 321
    • Duke: 303, 304, Carpenter Lab
    • Francis Center: 107, 142, 146, 155
    • Koury Center: 143 and 243
    • Long: 113
    • McEwen: 002, 012, 207, and 209
    • McMichael: 003, 008, 203, and 320
    • Polling Lab
  • Computers were replaced in 92 classrooms
  • The virtualized environment of our labs and classroom machines was upgraded. Users should notice a faster booting process, as well as better performance when using applications.

Pharos Print Stations

A few print stations were added and relocated. Visit the Technology Wiki for more information about printing on campus.

  • Arts West 152: New print station was installed
  • Mooney 201 and 202: Stations were upgraded to Pharos swipe stations
  • Carlton: Print station was relocated from Carlton 221 Language lab to Carlton 1st floor

Maker Hub

The Maker Hub is a constructionist learning space designed to support students, faculty and staff as they pursue projects and build objects that interest them. The Maker Hub is located on the first floor of Harper Hall, and is free to all students, faculty and staff. It’s a space where you have access to tools and knowledge to make things. Trained Elon students will be available to support you using tools like 3d printers, microcontrollers, a sewing machine, and more. Instructors interested in incorporating the Maker Hub into a lesson, as well as groups and organizations interested in hosting a meeting in the space, can visit www.elon.edu/makers or email makers@elon.edu to learn more.

Tech Updates

The IT staff will send official email notifications from TechUpdate@elon.edu. Please be aware and read these occasional messages for information on cybersecurity or planned service outages.

Technology Support

As you get settled into the fall semester, if you have any questions related to technology (connecting to wireless, resetting passwords, downloading Microsoft Office, using academic software, etc.), there are a number of resources available to you:

Image modified from photo by Flickr user Simson Petrol | CC BY-NC

Dan Reis

Dan Reis is an Instructional Technologist with Elon University’s Teaching and Learning Technologies.

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One response to “Summer upgrades and improvements”

  1. Hello, I am trying to export the calendar from COM 110 C to COM 110F. I did the manage subscriptions, pasted the url, etc., and it seems to work, but it won’t save it. can you help? thanks.