Instructional Technology Tools

The University of Alabama offers its faculty several instructional technology tools and resources to further the success of teaching and learning outcomes. One goal of the Faculty Resource Center is to provide faculty with support when using these tools. This support includes workshops, tutorials, or individual assistance. To discuss these or other instructional technology tools, contact the Faculty Resource Center at elearning@ua.edu or 348-3532.

Some of the tools available campus-wide include:

eLearning eLearning: This learning management system (formally known as Blackboard (WebCT) Learning System Vista Enterprise 4) contains built-in tools to allow instructors and students to share information and discussions, as well as submit and evaluate class work and grades. Connected to the University’s student information system, eLearning grade books automatically include students registered for the class and can be used to submit midterm and final grades. eLearning can connect to many of the other tools listed here and its use is required for some. To learn more about eLearning, visit http://frc.ua.edu/elearning.html
eInstruction Classroom Performance System eInstruction Classroom Performance System (“ the clickers”): Often used in large lecture-based classes, the clickers allow instructors to collect student responses to attendance, participation, and quiz prompts. Information collected through the clickers can be sent to an eLearning grade book or examined in a spreadsheet. CPS for PowerPoint incorporates clicker prompts into PowerPoint slides. Students enter responses on clicker pads, purchased individually and renewed each semester of use. eInstruction clicker setup can be accessed through eLearning. To learn more about eInstruction clickers, visit http://www.frc.ua.edu/tutorial_pdfs/cpsforpowerpoint.pdf or contact the FRC.
Tegrity Tegrity: This class capturing software allows instructors to record the audio (and even video) of lectures as well as any information shown through the classroom computer. This tool can automatically upload and publish lectures for the class to view and (optionally) download. Audio and onscreen information are synchronized and searchable, allowing students to return to particular points in the lecture. Tegrity must be accessed through eLearning. Requires specialized equipment, often provided by the University of Alabama. To learn more about Tegrity, visit http://www.frc.ua.edu/tutorial_pdfs/tegrity.pdf
Turnitin Turnitin: This plagiarism prevention tool offers access to originality reports and other resources that can provide students with the greater awareness of what plagiarism is and how to avoid and prevent it. Turnitin’s Peer Review tool allows faculty members and instructors to create assignments that encourage collaborative learning by allowing online peer-to-peer feedback. Can be accessed through eLearning. To learn more about Turnitin, visit http://www.frc.ua.edu/tutorial_pdfs/turnitin.pdf
Wimba Live Classroom Wimba Live Classroom: This video classroom system allows for faculty and students to share virtual space in real-time, including audio, video, applications, files, and other content. Designed to foster interaction in distance learning environments, Wimba Live Classroom must be accessed through eLearning. To learn more about Wimba Live Classroom, visit http://frc.ua.edu/tutorial.html#communications
Wimba Voice tools Wimba Voice tools: Wimba Voice tools facilitate the use of synchronous and asynchronous audio resources that can be used to foster interaction and present audio materials. The Voice Board enables the creation of audio threaded discussions. Voice Direct engages participants in audio and text chat sessions. Voice Email allows for the creation of audio mail messages. Voice Recorder can record and play audio files without an external player or plug-in. Voice Presentation enables audio recording and playback along with web content and text messages. Wimba Voice Tools must be accessed through eLearning. To learn more about Wimba Voice Tools, visit http://frc.ua.edu/tutorial.html#communications
RefWorks RefWorks: An online bibliographic database, RefWorks allows you to collect and manage citations to use in personal research and in collaboration. This tool also facilitates bibliography generation and formatting, as well as searching your citation database. RefWorks can be used to help students learn about citing sources and creating bibliographies.
Respondus Respondus: When installed on a PC, Respondus can help create and manage exams and publish them to eLearning. Questions can be imported from several word processor formats and can include images and other rich media. Access to Respondus is available through eLearning.
NVU NVU: This open source, freeware program allows you and your students to create and publish simple websites. Relatively easy to use, NVU can be installed on your Mac, PC, or Linux desktop and requires no knowledge of HTML or other technical expertise.
PrimoPDF PrimoPDF: A free PDF creator, Primo PDF lets you generate PDFs of any file you can print. This includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and can help faculty make files both more accessible to and less prone to adaptation by students. To learn more about PrimoPDF, visit http://frc.ua.edu/tutorial_pdfs/primo_pdf.pdf.