Online Teaching Conference Virtual Sessions

The Online Teaching Conference on June 20 & 21 is sold out, but if you don't already have tickets, you can still attend virtually and it's free! You can sign up for the virtual conference at http://www.onlineteachingconference.org/TopNav/Registration.html.

They've released many of the virtual presentations already so everyone can get a head start on the conference. These videos can be viewed at http://contentconversations.blogspot.com/2014/06/all-virtual-sessions-at-online-teaching.html.

Update: I tried viewing a few of the YouTube videos that have been released, however they don't include links posted to the chat window and screen sharing from the presenter. Instead of using the link above, go to http://cccconfer.org/MyConfer/OpenArchives.aspx?ShowType=Webinars and type OTC14 into the Content search box, then click Find Archives. On the search result page, click the blue Archive link next to a video you want to watch.

Guest Access to Blackboard Courses

At the beginning of each semester you may want to allow some students access to your course before their add is processed in both WebAdvisor and Blackboard. Turn on guest access to do this.

1. Make the course available
   Customization > Properties > Make Course Available = Yes
2. Allow Guest Access
   Customization > Guest and Observer Access > Allow Guests = Yes
3. Choose the areas guests can access
   Customization > Tool Availability > Check the “Visible to Guests” column for item types you want to show, such as Announcements and Content Area

After doing the above steps you will see a choice on the course menu for items you selected in step 3 to Permit or Deny Guests. 

1. Click the options arrow next to the menu item
   
   
2. Choose Permit Guests.