Dear College of Education,
Welcome back! As we gear up for another successful semester I wanted to pass on a few items of interest related to TaskStream. First off, the Fall release of TaskStream has included some enhancements. Those new or improved features are:
• A new look and feel beginning Fall 2009
TaskStream has a new look and feel beginning Fall 2009. However, don't worry, you'll still be able to find your way around and the updates make the site look cleaner and easier to use. Click here for Flash Tours of the new interface.• Improved content editing: An inline content editor provides all users with more screen real estate to add text, images, slideshows, attachments, videos, rubrics, form-based content, and more.
• Increased File Storage
The base storage for file attachments has been significantly increased from 100mb to 500mb per subscriber Individual file size limits have also increased, including 100mb per video.• Additional Rubric Criterion Comment Area
Evaluators can include an administrative comment (a comment not seen by author) for each rubric criterion.• Enhancements to allow sorting by group in Evaluation Shortcut areas
• Improved record keeping for externally sent messages of TaskStream work shared by e-mail
Copies of all externally sent messages will now be sent to the sender's external e-mail address.
As we move into the semester, here are some things to consider to help the semester run smoothly:
• If you have never used TaskStream or if this is the first time that you have taught a particular course that uses TaskStream, if you need help send an email to edit@purdue.edu indicating what course you are teaching, and if you have a TaskStream account already.
• If you are teaching a Block III, or initial methods course (for secondary programs), send edit@purdue.edu your course roster so that all of your students can be verified that they are in the proper group or so that you can receive a Self-Enrollment Code to distribute to your students.
• Ensure that all of your TAs have accounts and have logged into TaskStream. Make sure that students can see their instructors' names to submit their work. If a TA does not have an account, please have the TA email edit@purdue.edu and include their full name, and what course they will be teaching.
• Tell students to log in early in the semester. We recommend a "low stakes" assignment, due sometime around the second month of the semester to ensure all students have accounts created and that they can see their instructor within the system.
• Review your assignments for accuracy prior to, or during, the first month of the semester. Also verify that the evaluation method or rubric is accurate, and that you are actually using a rubric that has been reviewed by Dr. Frisbie and conforms to the Teacher Education common Rubric format.
• Be realistic in the assignment parameters. EdIT is unable to provide detailed answers for students with regard to CREATING digital video content. We can help with getting compressed video files inside TaskStream, as well as providing resources in the TRC and labs, but the students need to master the tools and creation of the video.
• Use the COE E-Portfolio coordinator (edit@purdue.edu), as a resource to come and speak to your class. Many questions and problems can be addressed with a brief, 20 minute, presentation or question and answer period.
The above items address the majority of faculty and TA related issues. There are also hints for students found here: http://www.education.purdue.edu/edit/taskstream/hints_student.htm.
Also, please look at the expanded TaskStream FAQ found at: http://www.education.purdue.edu/edit/TaskStream . There you will find information that will help both you and your students. Included in the updated content are tutorials for creating digital video content using Windows Movie Maker.
Thank you for all of your effort in this important part of the Teacher Education program. As always, if you have any questions, contact us at edit@purdue.edu .
-- Education IT