Midterm season is fast approaching! Is your Gradebook set up? Get the most out of Blackboard Ultra Gradebook with these five tips from your team at the Innovative Learning Support Centre (ILSC).

“How do I set up Overall Grades?” 

Tip #1: Use the weighted grading calculation to show students the running total of their overall grade. Assign the weighted percentage values to each gradable item according to the assessment plan or structure of your published course outline. 

“How do I post Midterm Grades?” 

Tip #2: Calculate and share midterm (and final) grades with your students using the overall grade column. Verify that all gradable items or categories have been assigned the correct weighted percentage values, and only those counting towards the midterm grade are included. 

Tip #3: Check the box “Base calculation on points earned out of total graded points” so students see their actual grade earned to date. If left unchecked, the overall grade would factor in all other assessments not yet administered or graded, and therefore would show skewed student grades. 

“Why can’t my students see their grades?” 

Tip #4: In the content page, assessment item(s) and the content folder where they are located need to be made ‘visible to students’ so students can view their grade. Confirm the configuration of the release conditions to show course content to students during the given time period.

“I copied a past course and now gradebook is assigning automatic zeros. What should I do?”

Tip #5: Gradebook assigns automatic zeros for past due assessments by default, even for past courses that have been copied. Disable automatic zeros from the gradebook settings to ensure that grades are not negatively impacted, and students are credited for all their work. 

Need additional support? The ILSC is here to help.

Applications are now open for the 2023 CCBI & Humber Galleries Fellowship Program. 

Current Humber students may apply for one of the six projects in the fellowship suite including:

• Nuit Blanche Fellowship (in partnership with Nuit Blanche Toronto)
• Tiny TO Fellowship (in partnership with The City of Toronto, Urban Design) 
• Intercultural and Creative Music Fellowship (in partnership with the Aga Khan Museum)
• Culture's Compass
• Indigenous Transmedia Fellowship 
• Graphic Medicine Fellowship (In partnership with The Ascelpius Snakebite Foundation and Whitman College) 

Fellows will work in inter-disciplinary teams with support from partnering institutions, industry experts, and project leaders from the CCBI and Humber Galleries to create a collaborative and innovative project outcome that meets the parameters laid out by the industry partner. Visit the CCBI website to learn more about past project outcomes. 

Deadline to apply: Sunday, March 5 at 11:59 p.m. 

All current Humber College students are elligible to apply, specific skills are required for each project. 

To apply, students must fill out the form in the job description and upload a resume, cover letter, and three work samples demonstrating their ability to meet the needs of the project and their ability to work collaboratively. 

All postings are currently active on Career Connect.

Accessible Learning Services shares some best practices considerations:

• Make documents accessible from the start: it's easier than reverse engineering a document to make it accessible.  

• Be wary of using old material. It is less likely to be accessible.  

• Ensure all electronic learning materials are compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies used by blind and low vision students. For support with how to create accessible electronic learning materials you can contact Innovative Learning.  

• When adopting textbooks and eBooks, speak with the publisher about the accessibility options offered to students. EBooks are not necessarily accessible. Some publishers do not consider accessibility requirements creating numerous barriers for students. Advocate through your communication with publishers to make materials accessible with screen readers. If the material is not accessible, consider using a different publisher. 

• If your program uses specific software as part of the curriculum, consult with the vendor to ensure their software meets accessibility requirements. This will reduce barriers for blind and low vision students.    

Please email us at accessible-learning@humber.ca with suggestions for key accessibility-related topics that you would like us to address through the Communiqué.

February 13,2023 to February 27,2023

Location

Finch Avenue West between at Humber College Blvd.

Impact:

• Rolling temporary lane closures.
• Periodic sidewalk and crosswalk closures.
• Temporary relocation of TTC bus stops, if needed.
• Minor field modifications may occur when needed to complete work safely and minimize impact on the public.

Timing:

• Stage 1: February 13, 2023 - February 20, 2023, Overnight - 7 p.m. -  7 a.m. approximately.
• Stage 2: February 20, 2023 - February 27, 2023, Daytime - 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., approximately.

Work Description

Transmission watermain works.

Detailed Description

As part of the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project, crews will be doing transmission watermain works along Finch Avenue West at Highway 27 south of Humber College.

To safely perform the work, the temporary traffic staging as shown above will remain in place for two (2) weeks, approximately.

Work may be rescheduled due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

Please take extra care when navigating near work sites, and always make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of any equipment or vehicle.

Minor field modifications may occur when needed to complete work safely and minimize impact on the public.

We will continue to monitor noise and vibration levels during these activities to identify the need. for mitigative actions.

Work Hours

• Work will occur throughout the week during daytime (7 a.m. - 7 p.m.) and overnight (7 p.m. - 7 a.m.) including weekends.
• Signs are installed to keep residents informed about the closure.
• Dates are tentative and may change. Please visit us at www.metrolinx.com/finchwestlrt for up -to-date information.
• Inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances may delay work activities.

What to Expect

• Heavy trucks and equipment will be working in the area.
• Due to the nature of the work, at times there will be dust, noise and vibration associated with this work.
• Nearby businesses and residents can expect noise from excavators, bobcats, vacuum trucks and other construction equipment caused by road work activities.
• Expect delays near work zones.
• There will be a Paid Duty Officer, flaggers, and detour signs to direct traffic, as needed.
• Please take extra care when walking near work sites, and always make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of any equipment or vehicle.
• TTC bus stops will be closed or relocated away from work zones, as needed
• Relocation of bus stops is done in consultation with TTC.
• Access to TTC will be maintained at all times. Please visit www.ttc.ca for more information.

Thank you for your patience and we apologize for any inconvenience.