The System

C-Print is a speech-to-text (captioning) technology and service developed at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, a college of Rochester Institute of Technology. The system successfully is being used to provide communication access to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing in many programs around the country. In addition to educational environments, C-Print also can be used in business and community settings, and with individuals with other disabilities, such as those with a visual impairment or a learning disability.

Costs for using the C-Print system vary, depending on what equipment is used, the pay level and hours the captionist works, the service needs/demands, etc. Salaries typically are between those of a professional notetaker and an interpreter. A laptop computer is the primary piece of equipment used by C-Print captionists. C-Print can be a cost-effective service that a university, secondary school, business or organization may provide.

The Service

The basis of C-Print is printed text of spoken English displayed in real time, which is a proven and appropriate means of acquiring information for some individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. A trained operator, called a C-Print captionist, produces a text display of the spoken information in classroom or other settings. At the same time, one or more students read the display to access the information. A C-Print captionist includes as much information as possible, generally providing a meaning-for-meaning translation of the spoken English content. After class, the text can be provided in paper or electronic format for the student to use as notes.

The Technology

C-Print Pro software is specifically designed for providing C-Print speech-to-text services. It allows a captionist to input text using a keyboard abbreviation system. The abbreviation system is based on phonetics, or how words sound. Although spelling-based abbreviations might seem easier to learn, in practice, abbreviations based on how words sound are more instinctive because unlike traditional keyboard typing, a C-Print captionist processes information auditorily. Typing using abbreviations based on how words sound is an extension of the auditory process. In addition, problematic spelling is not an issue. The software also can accept input from automatic speech recognition applications.

C-Print Development & Training

Rochester Institute of Technology National Technical Institute for the Deaf 52 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, New York 14623-5604 585-475-7557 (Voice/TTY) 585-475-5949 (Fax) cprint@rit.edu http://cprint.rit.edu

How the hunt for a 'missing planet' revealed asteroids in our solar system

Following a hunch that there might be a missing planet in between Mars and Jupiter, early 19th-century astronomers serendipitously discovered the first asteroids. Today, spacecraft missions provide scientists a closer look at these important building blocks of our solar system.

Policy Title: Official Learning Management System (LMS) of Drexel University
No.
Effective Date: Fall 2020
Supersedes:
Next Review: 2025

POLICY HISTORY

Review/Revision Date:
This is a new policy; there is no previous policy on LMS.

PURPOSE AND APPLICATION

This policy designates the approved University LMS (currently Blackboard Learn, also known as Bb Learn, Blackboard) as the Official Learning Management System (LMS) of Drexel University, and this LMS is intended to be compliant with requirements of various federal, state, and accreditation agencies in support of all courses.

This policy is in keeping with Drexel University’s Acceptable Use Policy (IT-1). 
 

SPONSORING UNIT

Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Tel: 215-571-3228; Email: anandans@drexel.edu

STATEMENT OF POLICY

All courses shall have a shell within Drexel’s LMS for course management, communication, and dissemination of instructional and reference materials, including course syllabi. All technology-enabled learning activities and courses (including but not limited to face-to-face, hybrid and online delivery) must be conducted through Drexel Learn. Additional technologies can be utilized to augment the feature set of the LMS. These technologies need to conform to the same guidelines as the official LMS with regard to federal regulations, security protocols, etc. as outlined by Procurement Services. These technologies should integrate with the LMS wherever possible to ensure compliance with necessary guidelines. If utilizing non-integrated technologies in the classroom, the course shell in the LMS should be used as a dashboard and portal providing links to the technology along with details regarding the privacy policy and technical support information for students.

The policy described in this document refers to Blackboard Learn, the current LMS, which is centrally supported and administered by Drexel University Information Technology. This policy does not apply to previously approved LMS deployments supported by individual schools and colleges, or to emerging LMS services under development or in use for a specialized purpose. Exceptions to this policy may be requested in writing, summarizing the nature and the reason for the exception. Such requests will be directed to the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.

SCOPE

Undergraduate students, faculty, professional staff.

RELATED INFORMATION

• Support principles of academic integrity by having access compliant with federal regulations and current and future implementation of student monitoring for testing and evaluation.
• Comply with federal regulation regarding verification of student identity for distance education courses and extend compliance to all online access including for web-enhanced face-to-face courses and hybrid courses by requiring authentication with Drexel credentials.
• Comply with federal regulations regarding verification of student identity for the use of other technology enabled systems, the use of online textbooks, and extend compliance to all online access including for web-enhanced face-to-face courses and hybrid courses by requiring authentication with Drexel credentials.
• Support copyright laws whereby copyrighted materials are made available for restricted access in conjunction with the Acceptable Use Policy.
• Provide templates that allow for branding across programs, departments, schools, and colleges to provide a more seamless student experience.
• Assistive technology for compliance with anticipated increases in accessibility requirements for all content.
• Provide integration to a host of ancillary learning, course management, and communication technology such that students from the LMS are the students within the external technology.
• Establishes a centralized platform for:
• Assessment of student engagement
• Course assessment, where applicable
• Testing and evaluation
• Analytics of student engagement and performance
• Grade reporting
• Monitoring access of learning management system
• Consistent with Drexel’s (updated) IP policy that includes considerations of faculty intellectual property for educational materials.
• Faculty are encouraged to use the LMS during class cancelations (e.g., holidays, inclement weather, etc.) or to make up missed classes by utilizing synchronous tools (e.g., Collaborate Ultra) or asynchronous tools (e.g., Assignments, Discussions, etc.).Banner courses will be archived and removed from the LMS two years after the end date of the course’s assigned term following the DU IT Course Removal and Archive Procedure. 

List relevant University Policies and Federal / State laws.

KEYWORDS AND DEFINITIONS

DREXEL LEARN, LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, COMPLIANCE, ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY (IT-1).

APPENDIX: RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS AND RESOURCES

Support for Drexel Learn, including technical issues, resources, workshops and training.

Making Up Instructional Time Due to Suspension of Normal University Operations 

The GENESIS II Total Knee System has grown to become one of the most trusted total knee systems on the market. Cutting edge instrumentation, such as the user friendly MIS system and the ream-thru femoral trials, was designed to create the most comprehensive system available. GENESIS II is a member of the LEGION Family of products.

System Overview

• A deeper, more lateralized trochlear groove improves patellar contact and tracking
• An externally rotated femoral implant design optimizes femorotibial rotational alignment and reduces the likelihood of notching the lateral anterior cortex.
• Anatomically-shaped tibial baseplates have an improved fin design and significantly Boost coverage of the tibia as compared to symmetrical designs.
• Versatile, simple instrumentation, comprehensive in function and fewer in number, reduces surgical time, makes intraoperative management easier, and provides a more precise fit.
• Thoughtful versatility reduces the number of implant components yet significantly expands your clinical options.
• Wear is reduced by improving contact area and reducing contact stress in all articular surfaces.
• All articular surfaces are polished, including the proximal tibia. A nondegrading form of sterilization is used on all polyethylene.

If you live in a high-crime area, go out of town frequently, keep valuables in your home or live alone, you may want to have a security system installed. Not only will the system secure your home, but it will also supply you peace of mind as you go about your daily business. The right security system for your home will depend on your specific needs.

Self-Monitored Security Systems

Monitoring a security system yourself is always an option and there are plenty of DIY security systems on the market. Installing a security system yourself allows you to place the components anywhere, customizing the system to your liking.

When a breach occurs, the DIY system will sound a high-decibel alarm to alert you. Then, it’s up to you whether or not to call the police, fire department or other emergency personnel.

Professionally-Monitored Security Systems

Several home security companies offer systems that they monitor themselves. If the system is breached, it notifies the company to respond. A security expert may then communicate with you to determine the next steps.

When warranted, the company will contact the appropriate authorities in your area as well as your emergency contact on file. Popular home security companies include:

• ADT
• Brinks
• Xfinity
• Frontpoint
• Nest
• SimpliSafe
• Vivint

Wired Security Systems

Most security companies offer both wireless and wired systems. In a wired security system, sensors and other components are connected to the central control panel by a series of wires. Hardwired systems are reliable in that they won’t succumb to any interferences, network outages or other issues. Wired systems are also less likely to run out of power compared to wireless systems.

If the wired security system is managed by a professional security company, the company will use phone lines to communicate with you after a breach. Unfortunately, some burglars know that they can cut a home’s phone line to disable the system.

Wireless Security Systems

Components in a wireless security system use a cellular network to communicate with the control panel. The system essentially creates a miniature network that uses radio waves, not wires, to send notifications to you and/or the managing security company.

Wireless security systems are easier to install than wired ones. They are also easy to upgrade, allowing you to add devices when needed. The drawback is that network interference and outages can disrupt a wireless security system’s abilities. And because they rely on batteries, they can run out of power if you’re not diligent about replacing them.

The LMS SteerCo is comprised of faculty, staff, and student members who represent a range of areas and perspectives. In general, the committee will include: key ITS representatives; key Academic Affairs representatives (including staff from the Reinert Center, the Distance Education Office, and the Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources); faculty representatives (identified, in part, by deans), undergraduate and graduate/professional students (identified by SGA and GSA), and other faculty and staff who hold administrative roles in the LMS.