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Office of Information Technology

 

OIT News: DMC

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SafeAssign Replaces Turnitin

After an extensive review and analysis of the University's usage of the Turnitin software, and because of a recent change in the cost structure by Turnitin, the University made the determination that it would no longer support Turnitin. OIT found that SafeAssign, which already is bundled with the WebVista course management structure, is a viable alternative.

Read more.

Aug. 21—Usability Lab Open House

Thursday, Aug. 21
9 - 11 a.m.
Usability Lab Open House
B26 Walter Library
Minneapolis/East Bank

Tour Usability Services' state-of-the-art facility and learn how usability testing and other usability methods can help evaluate the quality of your user's product experience and help to improve your product, software application, or Web site design.

Course Management Software Options Available

The University offers and supports two course management software options. WebVista enables instructors to create and manage, and students to access and participate in, Web-based learning materials and activities. Information about educational uses, issues, and campus support and services is available at WebVista. Moodle is an open source software package for creating online class delivery, group forums, internal training, resource sharing, and Web-enhanced courses, guided by a social constructionist framework of education. Find out more about Moodle at What Is Moodle?.

UTools Initiative Launched

On Aug. 5, the Office of Information Technology (OIT) launched a new initiative called UTools. The first phase of the OIT UTools initiative is to expand OIT’s current software license program and recommend an evolving Delicious-based list of free or low cost open-source and shareware applications and tools.

Under the new program, all current U of M faculty and staff will be able to purchase Adobe Acrobat Pro, Dreamweaver, and PhotoShop Elements at approximately 40% of the already discounted U of M Adobe software license price.

All Adobe software orders can be placed through the OIT Software License program online order form at www.umn.edu/software. Questions regarding the discounted software options can be sent to software@umn.edu.

OIT will recommend an evolving Delicious-based list of free or low cost open-source and shareware applications and tools. This use of the Delicious social networking application will facilitate community sharing of information, recommendations for online tools, and more. Visit the UTools website at www.umn.edu/oit/utools for more information and a direct link to the Delicious Web site. Questions regarding the open-source initiative can be sent to dmc@umn.edu.

Additional software and applications will be added to the UTools initiative. Please check the Web site at www.umn.edu/oit/utools for upcoming opportunities.

The Future is Now: Video Solutions at the University of Minnesota

Video Solutions, Office of Information Technology, represents a new initiative within OIT to consolidate its video resources and services into one unit. Lance Cunningham, Video Solutions coordinator, explains how future developments in video technologies and video support and services will enrich the University community. Read more.

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author. The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.