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Learning Technologies: How, what and where?

Thursday, August 8th, 2019

Over the years you may have heard many terms, including computer-assisted learning, e-learning, blended learning, and technology enabled learning, to name a few. The common denominator being learning. Educational Technologies/ Learning Technologies refers to the “broad range of communication, information, and related technologies that can be used to support learning, teaching and assessment.”[1] These also include the systems, networks and databases required to support the various forms of technology that are used by lecturers and students on a daily basis.

In the Stellenbosch University context, the support and delivery of effective Learning Technology Systems requires the collaborative effort of a number of individuals who work across Faculties and Support services. We realise that as a lecturer, administrative officer or student, what you really want to know is who to contact when you need help, and what the help is that you may ask for.

This collaborative team incorporates 4 levels of support and includes a range of services, systems and platforms including, but not limited to:

  1. The Learning Management System (SUNLearn)
  2. SUNStream
  3. Project management for new system development
  4. Microsoft Teams for educational purposes
  5. SUNOnline (the short course Learning Management System)
  6. Student feedback system
  7. E-Portfolios

[1] https://www.alt.ac.uk/about-alt/what-learning-technology

Level

Groups

Support type

Contact

0

Blended learning coordinator
Computer User Area Staff

  • Advisory / hands-on training for staff
  • Direct CUA support

Contact directly via email

1

 

Centre for Learning Technologies

  • Staff and student queries for Learning technologies via a support desk
  • Staff training for specific Learning Technologies
  • Training material development
  • Instructional design support

learn@sun.ac.za
021 808-2222

Student Feedback Office

  • Student feedback system

stv@sun.ac.za
021 808 3717

2

Academic ICT: Learning Technology Systems

  • Relationship management between Faculties and ICT
  • Project advice and management for learning technology projects in Faculties
  • Management of Learning Technology Systems
  • Advisory service

ICT Partner portal:
https://servicedesk.sun.ac.za

 

Short Course Division

  • SUNOnline, Short course applications, registration and payment

shortcourse@sun.ac.za

3

ICT Operations and Institutional Software Teams

  • Architecture, development, maintenance, security, priority incident management

ICT Partner Portal
https://servicedesk.sun.ac.za

Windows 10 upgrades currently ongoing

Thursday, August 8th, 2019

Information Technology’s support team identified computers on the university network which is running an outdated version of Windows 10 and could possibly pose a network security risk. To rectify the situation technicians will be performing an in-place upgrade of outdated computers to the latest stable version of Windows 10. Before we proceed with the upgrade, you will be sent an email to explain the situation, as well as a few minor instructions.

The upgrade will happen after hours @19h00 to minimise the impact it will have on your daily tasks, but you will always receive an email beforehand to notify you. For this reason we ask that you save and close all open documents and close all open software on your computer before you leave work in the afternoon. If you have a laptop, please secure it to your desk. 

The desktop/laptop will not need to come to IT for the upgrade since the upgrade will be initiated remotely. No data or software will be removed from the computer.

If you have any enquiries regarding this upgrade, please contact the IT Service Desk.

IT Emergency maintenance: Saturday, 13 July

Thursday, July 11th, 2019

Essential emergency maintenance will be taking place this Saturday, 13 July, from 07:00 to 12:00.

During this time a large number of functions and applications will temporarily be unavailable. This includes, among others, HR services, Financial services, Student information, SUNLearn, Short Courses and COB payments. Internet and email will not be impacted by this maintenance.

Due to the extent of this maintenance and the necessity for thorough testing of systems and applications the possibility exists for continued interruptions into the new week.

Please rest assured that we will try our best to limit interruptions to a minimum. For inquiries please contact the IT Service Desk at 021 808 4367 or log a request on the ICT Partner Portal.

Filesender – a secure service for sharing large files

Tuesday, February 5th, 2019

SANReN has implemented the latest version of Filesender, a web-based application that allows authenticated users to securely and easily send web-based large files to other users. 

Below are the guidelines for accessing the service and what values it adds to your day to day operations.

What problem does the service solve?

You need to send a file larger than a couple of megabytes to someone and the e-mail comes back: “attachment too big” or “mailbox too full”, that’s where FileSender comes in handy.

How do I use the service?

Upon logging in, you are presented with a user-friendly interface. You can set the file to be available for download for a certain period so that it automatically gets removed when the file reaches its expiry date. You have an option to drag and drop your file when uploading it to the application. You also have an option to get a link to the file after uploading it or send it to a recipient as an e-mail.

The service is integrated with the South African Identity Federation (https://safire.ac.za/), which provides a pool of institutions you can authenticate from to use the service. If your institution is not registered on SAFIRE as yet, you can log in with a social media account if you are from an eligible institution.

Where do I access the service?

You can access the service on https://filesender.sanren.ac.za

Drop us an e-mail on sysadmin@sanren.ac.za for any queries regarding the service.

Use of sun email for commercial purposes

Tuesday, February 5th, 2019

As staff and students of the University, we use our sun emails every day. But did you know that every year when you reactivate your account, you also agree to the Electronic Communication Policy? 

The ECP explains the acceptable and unacceptable use of the University’s electronic communication facilities, which include the internet and email. (read the full ECP policy here) According to the ECP, point 3.1.3: “The User shall be responsible for using the Facilities only for the purpose for which the User has been authorised.” 

IT facilities and resources are provided to advance the mission of the University. This includes learning, teaching, research, knowledge transfer, public outreach, the commercial activities of the University, or the administration necessary to support all of the above.

The email system is to be used for legitimate institutional purposes only, therefore the use of IT facilities for non-University commercial purposes, or for personal gain, is a violation of this policy.  You may not use the IT Facilities to advertise any trade, service or profession not endorsed by the University. 

Unfortunately, it’s come under our attention that some staff use their sun email address to distribute information regarding beauty products, Tupperware, etc. and acting as agent for the sale of these products. Any bulk unsolicited mail or commercial advertising of other businesses are not allowed on the University network.

If you need to send personal emails, rather consider getting a free email account, for example, Gmail. Separating your business and personal activities is also better security practice in the long run and will protect you and the University network. However, if you use your sun address for personal activities, keep in mind that the University owns any communication sent via email. If needed, University management has the right to access any material in your email or on your computer.  

 

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