Mediasite is unavailable – 21/12/2015

We are currently experiencing problems loading Mediasite in Blackboard and are working with our colleagues in the Mediasite team to resolve this as soon as possible.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will update this blog as soon as there is any change in circumstances.

Turnitin update issue

An update to the Turnitin system within Blackboard has brought a new feature – the ability for staff to delete any Turnitin assignment from the list of assignments shown when you click on “Turnitin Assignments” under Course Tools in the course’s Control Panel. Unfortunately, the “Delete Assignment” link appears directly under the “Sync Grades” link for each assignment – and there is no confirmation step, so as soon as you click on the link the assignment is deleted. There is thus a small chance that an assignment could be deleted accidentally by a member of staff trying to sync grades. This will delete the submission point, all assignments submitted to it, and the associated column with all its grades from the Grade Centre.

We are working with Turnitin to adjust this, but in the meantime we would urge you to take extra care when on the “Turnitin Assignments” page in Blackboard courses.

TEL Help unavailable this afternoon (14/12/2015)

Due to an Academic Registry Christmas event the TEL and Ed Dev teams will be unavailable this afternoon (15/12/2015). If you experience urgent problems with any of our systems during this time please contact the Service Desk on ( 0117 92) 87870.  If your query is non urgent please email TEL-Help as usual and we will respond as soon as possible on the 15th.

 

Network problems affecting Blackboard appear to be resolved (08/12/2015)

IT Services reported that students and staff across the University will have noticed slow and intermittent network connections when loading some websites and other Internet resources this morning. This was caused by a malicious attack on the Janet network, the national network providing Internet access for UK higher education.

It appears that the system is now working normally.

IT Services news page http://www.bristol.ac.uk/it-services/news/

Problems accessing Turnitin and Mediasite (08/12/2015)

IT Services have identified network problems which mean we are currently experiencing some difficulties with external websites including Mediasite, Turnitin, mobile services, in-line grading and some blogs and wikis. Please be aware that access to on-line marking, feedback and uploading of submissions may be affected by this problem.

Please see the IT Services pages for updates: https://www.bris.ac.uk/it-services/news/2015/networkproblems8dec.html

Places available on TEL workshops

Places are available on TEL workshops for staff in the New Year .  These include:

  • Effective course design
  • Introduction to Blackboard for administrative and support staff
  • Introduction to Blackboard for academic staff (including research staff)
  • Media in teaching
  • TEL essentials

For further information and booking please see the TELED website.

If there is not a workshop scheduled that meets your needs or if you would like tailored training e.g. for your School please contact tel-help@bristol.ac.uk