Author: Michael Paulin

Keep Things Simple with Simple Syllabus

Keep Things Simple with Simple Syllabus

Loyola has adopted Simple Syllabus as a new platform for storing and displaying course syllabi, effective Summer 2024. This new system maintains a repository of all syllabi to meet accreditation requirements and provides a searchable resource for students looking to review future courses. Simple Syllabus simplifies the process for faculty, allowing you to upload your syllabus once and share the link in Sakai or other places.

If you are one of the many faculty that have been requested to upload your syllabi to Simple Syllabus, check out this video for some guidance. 

Why is Loyola using Simple Syllabus? Our Higher Learning Commission accreditation requires institutions to have syllabi that are easily accessible for students. We must be able to demonstrate this on demand to comply with this assumed practice. Simple Syllabus allows us to do that. Plus, faculty may copy a link to the syllabus they post on Simple Syllabus and post that same link on their Sakai site. While Sakai is our learning management system, not all faculty utilize this tool. Using Simple Syllabus will allow students more than one access point for a syllabus. It also allows Loyola to remain in compliance with our accrediting body.  

This tool has the potential to improve both the student and faculty experience. For instance, instead of posting your syllabi in multiple places, after you have uploaded your syllabi to Simple Syllabus you can easily take the URLs that are generated and copy them into your Sakai courses, making it quick and easy to reuse your syllabi. There are several ways to accomplish this goal, but one method is to redirect your course’s Syllabus tool to point to a Simple Syllabus webpage. 

Learning Technologies & Innovation will soon provide a video that will showcase how easy it is for students to search the Simple Syllabus database for courses they might want to take in the future. Doing so allows students to review the syllabi from past courses, which can aid in planning their course of study well in advance of registration time. 

If you have any general questions or concerns about Simple Syllabus, please write to simplesyllabus@luc.edu or if you require technical assistance, please contact the ITS Service Desk at ITSServiceDesk@luc.edu. 

Get a head start on administering test taking with Respondus LockDown Browser

Get a head start on administering test taking with Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a locked web browser that integrates with the Sakai Tests & Quizzes tool. LockDown Browser prevents users from accessing other programs and websites for the duration of their Sakai assessment.

Taking tests can be stressful, so adding the additional step of having to use a system you are not used to can be a bit much for students and instructors alike. It is best to familiarize yourself as much as possible with how to use Respondus LockDown Browser before you are asked to take or administer an assessment using the tool in Sakai.

ITRS has provided a lot of helpful information to calm your (instructor) test-taking nerves on our Respondus LockDown Browser page.

As a reminder, LockDown Browser is not currently compatible with Sakai on Chromebooks or iPads. You can find operating system requirements on Respondus Support if you have any compatibility questions.

If your students run into any issues while taking an assessment with LockDown Browser, make sure to direct their issues to ITRS by emailing ITSServiceDesk@luc.edu.

Happy test-taking to all!