June 2, 2022

This message is distributed to All-Instructors, Academic-Assistant-Deans, and Academic-Department-Managers. (Click here to view description of distribution groups.)

The following is being sent on behalf of the Instructional Support Team
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Updates from the Instructional Support Team


Final exams and COVID: Read on!

If you’re planning to give your final exam online, a few reminders:

  • COVID cases are on the rise. Please let your students know about your final exam policies. While you are not obligated to offer a remote option, it’s probably wise to have a plan in place for students who test positive and are not able to attend an in-person final. Your options include:
    • A take-home final
    • A second in-person exam after finals week
    • An online final (for the whole class). Also see below.

If you would like to consult about final exam possibilities, contact any member of the instructional support team:
Linda Adler-Kassner: ladler@ucsb.edu
Lisa Berry: lisa_berry@ucsb.edu
Mindy Colin: mcolin@ucsb.edu
Maggie Safronova: m_safronova@ucsb.edu


GauchoSpace Quiz Timing Settings

If you plan to use the GauchoSpace Quiz activity for assessment we recommend setting a wide “open and close window” to accommodate students in different timezones and variability of student internet and computer access. Within the “open and close window” you can set a time limit for a student’s attempt at the quiz. We also recommend using a large question bank and setting the quiz to pull questions at random from the question bank. Information on using the question bank can be found here. If you have any questions or would like GauchoSpace staff to review your quiz settings prior to opening a quiz please contact us at help@collaborate.ucsb.edu. 

For DSP time accommodations, overrides can be placed on the quiz. Instructions on setting these overrides can be found here.

GauchoSpace End-of-Quarter Updates and Maintenance - GauchoSpace will be updated for end-of-quarter updates and maintenance on Thursday, June 16 and will be unavailable from 6:00am to noon.

GauchoCast Updates- GauchoCast will be down on June 25th to allow time for necessary maintenance. Please plan your course offerings accordingly.

 
Updates from Instructional Development 

Instructional Development’s department of Classroom Services is making changes! We are phasing out DVD and BluRay drives from our General Assignment Classrooms. Please contact Video Services to convert your content to a digital format using GauchoCast. Alternatively, the office of Classroom Services has a small supply of BluRay players that you may check out for your use. Please contact the office of Classroom Services at help@id.ucsb.edu to book your BluRay player prior to your class.

 
The Classroom Services Office hours are:
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
We will be closed on Monday, June 13th
If you need assistance at another time please contact help@id.ucsb.edu. 

Returning Borrowed Equipment:

Any borrowed equipment from the Classroom Services Office must be returned prior to Summer Break (June 10th). This will give support staff ample time to verify equipment is up to date and fully functional for the following academic year. 


Help with Classroom Technology

Summer Session A: If you are using a General Assignment classroom, please review Key Classroom Information for Instructors prior to your first day of instruction and complete any outstanding action items, including picking up lectern keys at the Classroom Services Office.

 

If you have any questions, please contact us at help@id.ucsb.edu.