Instructional Technology Available for Use

Instructional software licensing:

    • Adobe Creative Suite: a software suite of graphic design, video editing, and web development applications developed by Adobe Systems. Each edition consisted of several Adobe applications, e.g., Photoshop, Acrobat Pro, InDesign, and Illustrator that are the industry standard applications for many graphic design positions. This is a great tool for creating appealing content for your students. Plus you can use the Adobe Pro to convert documents into formats your students can explore and ensure they are accessible. We have access to the creative cloud for all faculty and staff, these Download steps will help you download and access your account. 
    • Atomic Search in Canvas may be available by end of Fall term (if not sooner): Atomic Search Links to an external site. for Canvas is the first integrated Canvas application with comprehensive search functionality. Students, teachers, instructional designers, and canvas admins can now easily search their Canvas content in a user-friendly and accessible way. Atomic Search for Canvas gives your students the tools they need to find the answers they are looking for without requiring a trip down memory lane. Help your students find the answers to that question they asked that one time about that one assignment. Faculty are able to find the needle-in-the-haystack page, assignment, file, etc you created last year. Atomic Search for Canvas indexes your materials which means you can find that content in a snap. Look for workshops in the near future!!
    • Blackboard Ally:  Ally is a revolutionary product that integrates seamlessly into the learning management system and focuses on making digital course content more accessible. It helps to build a more inclusive learning environment and improve the student experience by helping them take clear control of course content with usability, accessibility and quality in mind. The tool quickly allows instructors to identify any accessible issues with PDF's and Images, and improves the overall student experience with alternative formats that provide students with the choice and added flexibility that comes with a more personalized approach. To request the tool be turned on in your course, please email de_support@cuesta.edu. 
    • Camtasia, Snagit: All Cuesta employees now have access to two TechSmith products that provide efficient and effective image and video creation/editing opportunities. Employees will have the opportunity to download Camtasia and Snagit on up to two devices per user. One at home, and one at work, or two at either home or work.
      • To request the applications on a Cuesta device please send an email to ITsupport@cuesta.edu to generate a work order request and an IT staff member will contact you to install the application.
      • To install the application(s) on a home device, please send an email to defaculty_support@cuesta.edu to get access to the download and installation instructions. 
    • Design Tools and Multi Tool by CidiLabs: Create content that is appealing with color, buttons, navigation, wrapping, and enhanced formatting with Design Tools. To learn more email cwilshus@cuesta.edu for more information and attend your first training and gain access. 
    • Flip - Flipgrid is the video discussion platform that makes teaching and learning more personal, fun, and engaging. Integrate the Canvas seamlessly with Flipgrid's Canvas integration!
      • Canvas Access Control- Only students in your Canvas course can access your connected Grids. They must access Flipgrid through their Canvas course page. Students don’t need Flipgrid accounts for the security you deserve!
      • Speedgrader- Add a Flipgrid Topic for your next Canvas Assignment. Make sure students submit their video through the Assignments tab. All video Responses and Replies are organized by student and ready for Speedgrader!
      • Anywhere, Anytime- As long as students click the green + within Canvas, they can record on any computer or on the free Flipgrid iOS + Android apps.
      • Resources to set up your account and page! 
    • Kaltura Media Space: All employee have access to an online media storage space. You can upload your media or record directly with in the site. The service is integrated with Canvas, you create or upload other videos you can embed them into your rich content editor (pages, discussions, assignments, quizzes) in your courses. It also contains functions such as quizzing, and built in automatic captions and a caption editor for ADA compliance. Students can access video content directly through our Canvas LMS with no additional log-in. Analytics and quiz scores are reported automatically to the gradebook. Activate your account by adding MyMedia to your course Navigation and click to authenticate your account. There is also a public viewing option where you can share videos and organize media into Chanels for users outside of Canvas. Go to https://cuesta.mediaspace.kaltura.com/ Links to an external site. and use your Cuesta Login Credentials to authenticate your account. 
    • Google Suite: G Suite is a collection of business, productivity, collaboration, and education software developed and powered by Google. The primary G Suite tools include Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar, Google+, Sites, Hangouts, and Keep. Access Google Suite by logging into Google using cuesta user name followed by @my.cuesta.edu; for example firstname_lastname@my.cuesta.edu. 
    • Honorlock A remote proctoring service software that works within your web browser to monitor online test takers for suspicious behaviors. Note this service is browser specific and requires a Google Extension. View the resources for Proctoring to get started. 
    • Microsoft Office: Cuesta College's contract with Microsoft allows each employee to download the complete version of Office 2016 for free, installing it on up to five (5) personal devices (i.e. computers, tablets, etc.). Here are instructions on how to download the software. Links to an external site.
    • Padlet(opens in new tab) is a platform in which you can create a single or multiple walls that are able to house all the posts you want to share. From videos and images to documents and audio, it is literally a blank slate. It's collaborative allowing you to involve students in the activity.  Cuesta College has an education subscription to Padlet, to request access please sign up for Padlet Links to an external site.. Or you can navigate to Padlet Links to an external site. to create your free account. Check out the resources. 
    • Playposit: Add quiz interactivity to any video to increase student engagement.  Watch this January 2022 about how to Create Interactive Video with PlayPosit. 
    • Respondus 4.0: A powerful tool for creating and managing exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to Canvas. Exams can be created offline using a familiar Windows environment, or moved from one LMS to another. Respondus supports up to 15 question types, including calculated and algorithmic formats, Import questions from MS Word (including embedded images), rich-text, QTI, and tab/comma delimited formats, Plus access to thousands of Respondus-compatible publisher test banks Links to an external site. – FREE to instructors who adopt a participating textbook. You may download and install directly on your personal computers for use at home, contact Cynthia Wilshusen for licensing Information. You may also request to have it installed on your campus computer (laptop or office) by placing an IT ticket.

Instructional Technology Lab / Available for Short-term Checkout:

    • Twelve laptops (PC and Mac) with headsets that have the campus license of Camtasia, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office installed and available for your use in Open Lab, by appointment, or check out. 
    • Instructional Video Recording: Utilize a green screen or white board to record instructional videos with a High Definition camera, lapel microphone, and light system. This equipment is available to use in Open Lab, by appointment, or you can request a check out to use in your office. 
    • Microsoft Surface Book: A touchscreen Windows personal computer with interactive whiteboards, webcam, detachable keyboard and stylus. This tool is great for creating instructional demonstration videos for your students. The Surface has the campus license of Camtasia, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office installed. You may check out the surface for use for a short period of time. 
    • iPad with Apple Pencil: Touch Screen tablet with Canvas app, Office Suite, VoiceThread, Adobe Cloud, Techsmith Capture. Built in microphone and camera and Apple pencil available for writing and drawing. Available for use in Open lab, by appointment or checkout. 

To request a check out the resources available or to make an appointment to use the recording studio or software in Open Lab please contact Cynthia Wilshusen for more information.

Do you have other instructional technologies you would like tell us about? We invite you to use the Instructional Technologies Request Form Links to an external site.. Please share so we can help you develop amazing resources and content for your students!!