Fresh BOLT How-To for Spring!

We promised you a new version of our BOLT How-To pages and they are now available!

You can access the new IMDC Infobase at https://bloomuimdc.freshdesk.com. Or, if you're in BOLT, click Help and then click BOLT How-To.

You can search for topics, look at related articles, download our step by step tutorials, and watch our YouTube videos directly on the topic pages.

We made a video to show you how it works:

Prepare for Online Learning in 2017 Fall

Here are some tips to help you prepare for the upcoming Fall semester.

Check your schedule.
Make sure your schedule looks like you thought it would in MyHusky. Have concerns? Contact your advisor or the Registrar.

Check your email.
Instructors may email you prior to the semester with information.

Get technology requirements for your classes.
Read your instructor’s syllabus carefully and find out what technology is required! For example, do you need a webcam for the course? Will you be using Respondus LockDown Browser? Is your instructor using ProctorU? Do you need a clicker?

Update software.
Make sure you have all your software updates! For instance, if your instructor is using Respondus LockDown Browser, make sure to download it or update to the latest version. Always make sure your web browser and plug-ins are up-to-date!

Learn about BOLT.
Check out our Student Support page and visit our YouTube channel. We also have 24/7 support from our vendor. Click through the Support Portal widget in BOLT, or call 1-866-921-0473 any day, any time.

Register your Clicker
If your instructor is using clickers, register your device via the link in BOLT! If you do not have one, you MUST create a Turning Account by clicking through the Clicker Registration link in BOLT. You cannot make the account outside of BOLT- it must be created through BOLT to work properly with your instructor’s software- and score your clicker responses for grades.

Phasing Out Online Rooms

Online Rooms is being phased out on May 19, 2017. 

Your instructor will be using new tools to conduct online classes in BOLT after May 29, 2017. We have several tools available for instructors to use. 

 

You can find out more information about Collaborate Ultra and YouSeeU Virtual Classroom at our Student Support pages. Check it out at https://www.bloomu.edu/imdc-bolt-student

Did You Know... we have BOLT tutorials for you?

The BOLT Support team does more than answer questions about and resolve issues in BOLT. We also work with our supervisors to provide helpful support documentation and video tutorials on BOLT and its integrated tools.

BOLT Student Support page

Last year we helped update the Student Support pages so that you had the most up-to-date and accurate help documentation for BOLT possible. This year we are working on adding new docs and videos on some of the new features that have come to BOLT- Turnitin Feedback Studio, Audio and Video Note, and Virtual Classroom.

Do you need to know how to submit an assignment in BOLT? Set your notifications? What about how to join an online room for a class meeting?

If you want to know how to do things in BOLT, just go to our Student Support page at https://www.bloomu.edu/imdc-bolt-student

We also have a YouTube channel with video tutorials for students and instructors! You can access the videos on the Student Support pages, but subscribing to our channel means you will see our new videos as soon as we release them!

BOLT Tips for Semester Start

Are you ready for the Fall semester?
 

Here are some tips.

Check your schedule.

Make sure your schedule looks like you thought it would in MyHusky. 

Check your email.

Instructors may email you prior to the semester with information.

Learn about BOLT.

Check out our Student Support page and visit our YouTube channel.

Get tech requirements.
Read your instructor's syllabus carefully and find out what technology is required.

 

Update Software.
Make sure you have all your software updates-especially your web browser.

Update: BOLT Is Accessible

You should be able to access BOLT at this time. The issue at the data center appears to be resolved.

If you encounter any issues accessing BOLT or with response time in BOLT, please contact us at (570)389-2888 or email us at bolthelp@bloomu.edu.

Thank you,
BOLT Support
 

Language Improvements On the Way in May

Language changes to update and improve user experience in BOLT are coming our way May 20, 2016.

If you are taking courses at the beginning of the Summer (May 16), old terms will be present until the end of the first week of classes. The changes will occur on May 20, 2016.

After in-depth testing and analysis, Brightspace identified key terminology to update and improve the user experience within BOLT. Updates will be display only; the tools will continue to function exactly the same as they do now.

Based on the results of the testing, the terms changing in BOLT for students are:

• News to Announcements
• Dropbox to Assignments

Again, please note these are language term changes and that functionality will remain the same. 

For more information on the changes and for ways we plan to support you, follow the jump cut...

BOLT Support Hours Change in the Summer

BOLT Support is provided by the IMDC. If you need help using BOLT, you can reach us at (570)389-2888 or by emailing bolthelp@bloomu.edu.

Our regular semester hours are Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Our summer session hours will begin on May 9, 2016.

BOLT Support Summer Hours

 May 9 - August 26

Monday - Friday

8am to 4pm

You can get afterhours, holiday, and weekend support by calling 1-866-921-0473.

24/7 Blackboard Collaborate support is available at 1-877-382-2293.

BOLT Tips: End of Semester

An End of Semester Checklist... for BOLT!

	Back up course materials and assignments. Download files and submissions you want to keep. (You can use Binder to save course content!)
	Update ePortfolio. Update your ePortfolio to inlcude any learning artifacts you want to showcase from this semester. If you are graduating, export your ePortfolio. See the Did you know you can create an EduDentity account and export your ePortfolio to myDesire2Learn?
	Be prepared to take any finals in BOLT. Think ahead and be sure to know what time the exam or dropbox will be available in BOLT. Don't wait until the last minute to attempt your exams or submit to a dropbox. Contact BOLT Support immediately if you have any issues while taking an exam on BOLT.
	Know how long you'll have access to your courses in BOLT. Ask instructors how long you have to access their course in BOLT so you can download your work or any course content you want to save. If you are graduating in 2016 Spring, you will have access to BOLT with your Husky ID until approximately February 20, 2017.

Do You Need Respondus LockDown Browser?

Is your instructor using Respondus LockDown Browser® (RLDB) for quizzes or finals?

RLDB is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within BOLT. When professors ask you to use Respondus LockDown Browser you will be unable to print, copy, go to another URL, access other applications, or close a quiz until it is submitted for grading.

If your professors use RLDB, you will need to download and install RLDB to any computer you take quizzes on. 

If your professors allow you to take quizzes on iPad, you will need to download the Respondus LockDown Browser app in iTunes.

There is information at the BOLT Student Support page to get you started downloading and using Respondus LockDown Browser: http://departments.bloomu.edu/imdc/boltstudentsupport.html

For help troubleshooting Respondus LockDown Browser, you can contact BOLT Support at bolthelp@bloomu.edu or by calling (570)389-2888.

Need BOLT Help?

If you need help in BOLT, give BOLT Support a call at (570)389-2888 or email them at bolthelp@bloomu.edu. They are on campus 8am to 5pm during the regular semester and 8am to 4pm during the summer session to help you with all things BOLT. After hours assistance is available by calling 1-866-921-0473.

BOLT Cupcakes for BOLT Support Staff, Student Employee Appreciation Week

BOLT Support is a team of student employees who offer support to students and instructors using BOLT, its integrated tools, and instructional technology used in Bloomsburg University courses. 

The BOLT Support staff are students at Bloomsburg University who work for the IMDC. Our current roster includes Austin, Christina, Joe, Justin, Tyler, and Yazimirra, and we will also be welcoming new members to our team this Spring and Fall.

BIG Improvements Coming to BOLT May 20, 2016

After in-depth testing and analysis, Brightspace identified key terminology to update and improve the user experience within BOLT. Updates will be display only; the tools will continue to function exactly the same as they do now.

Based on the results of the testing, the terms changing in BOLT for students are:

• News to Announcements
• Dropbox to Assignments

Again, please note these are language term changes and that functionality will remain the same. 

For more information on the changes and for ways we plan to support you, follow the jump cut...