A Town Hall is an open discussion facilitated by ANGEL support staff within ITS, where in-depth exploration of all the new version 7.1 tools and features takes place, with time available at the end for questions and answers.

Modular Content in ANGEL: iStudy for Success! Modules

Tired of re-creating the same content just because you need it in different courses for different purposes? Would you and a colleague or two like to share similar content in ANGEL? Then you might be interested in learning more about the modular content capabilities in ANGEL.

The iStudy for Success! modules are a good example of the effective use of modular content in ANGEL. The iStudy for Success modules provide an introduction to college-level learning, focusing on areas in which first-year students often need to build skills, such as study methods, time management, and communication. The modules help students prepare for the work that lies ahead of them, both academically and on the job. (More information about the iStudy for Success! modules: http://istudy.psu.edu)

Each module is designed so that it can stand alone or be used in combination with other modules and materials. An instructor can incorporate as many or as few modules as desired into an ANGEL course, and sequence them in any order. The content for each module resides in an ANGEL Resource Library and is imported into an ANGEL course or group using the ANGEL import tool. The content in these Libraries is available to every ANGEL course and group. (Learn more about Resource Libraries in ANGEL...)

Overview

ANGEL discussion forums have a number of features to enhance communication that are not available in the current message board tool. The instructor can moderate the discussion, choosing whether to approve a student post. Each post and reply can be assigned a rating that can be used for student evaluation. You can define roles for each student to assume when adding a post, for example, point or counterpoint. A discussion forum can be added to the Course Gradebook, so that students can be assigned a grade based on their contribution to the discussion. You may define read/post/reply permissions for each team. The features of discussion forums facilitate pedagogically-based models such as fishbowl, hot seat, and debate.

When you are adding a discussion forum, you can either use the "Add a Discussion Forum" option to specify the settings "from scratch," or use the "Discussion Forum Wizards" utility that will walk you through the setup for any of three formats for different pedagogical purposes: "Fishbowl," "Hot Seat," or "Required Post."

Overview

The Penn State Test Tool enables instructors with ANGEL course editor rights to use the testing services provided by the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence in conjunction with their ANGEL course. By creating a link to the Schreyer Institute from ANGEL, the test tool offers the ability to create quizzes using Test Pilot and Scanned Bubble Sheets outside of ANGEL and use ANGEL to administer the test and manage the grades.) For more information regarding Test Pilot and Scanned Bubble Sheets, visit the Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence Web site.

The online documentation of the Penn State Test Tool is available within ANGEL Help

Course Gradebook Quick-Start Guide

Following is the Course Gradebook Quick-Start Guide in the standard format for ANGEL documentation, both as PDF and HTML. Included are:

• Screen shots for selecting old or new version
• Time-saving set-up tips
• Features of new gradebook
• Using Excel spreadsheet suggestions
• Copying gradebook settings between sections

PDF (168.3 KB), HTML

Course Gradebook Documentation

The Course Gradebook documentation is now available within ANGEL help at:
http://cmshelp.psu.edu/ANGELGB.htm

For a print-friendly PDF of the documentation:

1. Within ANGEL, select the Help link.
2. On the right, click ITS Training Services Seminars.
3. Select the Get Seminar Handouts link.
4. Next to Using the ANGEL Course Gradebook, select PDF.