Archive for the ‘Tips & Resources’ Category


Save a few clicks & a ton of time with these dropbox & inbox updates

Mon, 14 December 2009 - 9:57 am by Renee Hochstetler

dropbox-grades180wTeachers using Haiku LMS can save time and a few clicks. Here’s how:

  • Grade assignments right in the Dropbox: No reason to hop back and forth between assignments in the dropbox and assignments in the gradebook. Now teachers can enter grades (and comments & notes) directly in the dropbox, and Haiku LMS records the data in their gradebook. Watch the video tutorial >>
  • Forward Haiku messages to your email address: Get an email every time you get a new message in your Haiku LMS inbox. You no longer have to log in to Haiku to check messages! Watch the video tutorial >>

Let us know what you think, and keep the ideas coming!

Posted in Haiku Learning News, Tips & Resources, Upgrade News
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Take it to the classroom! Haiku vs. Sakai vs. Moodle vs. Blackboard 9: an LMS review

Tue, 8 December 2009 - 2:37 pm by Renee Hochstetler

Looking for a reliable comparison of the leading learning management systems by people who’ve actually used them? Wondering whether one system has what another does (and which one does it better) or even what features you’d actually use?

The University of Indianapolis recently evaluated Sakai, Blackboard 9, Haiku LMS, and Moodle and shared their findings in a Point/Counterpoint panel discussion that’s available online.

We’ll tell you right now that we’re pleased with the evaluation — particularly a comment made by an audience member who stressed how easy it is to use Haiku LMS. Fred May, Associate Professor at the university’s School of Nursing, reviewed Haiku LMS. The top benefits he named?

  • Simple and compatible with Web 2.0
  • Notification and clear display of what’s new in a class
  • A gradebook that enables the instructor to write notes-to-student and notes-to-self
  • Adding assignments ties directly into the calendar and the gradebook

The panelists touched on the barriers too, and we’ve taken notes on where we can improve Haiku LMS.

See for yourself: Part 1 of 4

Posted in Haiku Learning News, Tips & Resources
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Check it off the list! Shadowing is now available!

Sat, 5 December 2009 - 10:00 am by Renee Hochstetler

If you’ve been following our blog then you probably saw our 2009-2010 Development Roadmap. We’re right on track, having rolled out the new Shadowing feature on December 4.

Shadowing2-300wide

Shadowing: Grant view-only access to class information so that tutors, coaches, administrators, and other interested parties can see what’s happening. Three levels of access give you control of what they see. Learn more >>

There are two new tutorials ready, too: How to use Shadowing. and, for Haiku LMS administrators, How to Enable Shadowing. If you follow us on Twitter, you’ll know every time we post a new video tutorial.

Posted in Haiku Learning News, Tips & Resources, Upgrade News
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Stay organized! New ePortfolio Templates enable schools to standardize ePortfolio structure

Fri, 23 October 2009 - 5:32 pm by The Haiku Learning Team

Electronic Portfolios (ePortfolios) enable students to keep a catalog of their work over time, and they can even export their ePortfolio as an HTML file and take it with them when they move on to other endeavors. Now schools using Haiku LMS can standardize the structure and layout of their students’ ePortfolios using ePortfolio Templates.

The people who manage ePortfolio templates create pages and organize them as they’d like. When students work with their ePortfolio they use the template so that they know exactly what’s expected and have a guide to follow.

You really have to see this!

Take a look at the video tutorials we’ve posted to see how Haiku LMS administrators give teachers or other users the ability to manage the template and to see how managers can create and organize pages and content blocks.

Posted in Tips & Resources, Upgrade News
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Tips for Online Discussions

Wed, 30 September 2009 - 5:06 pm by The Haiku Learning Team

This is why the Haiku team is proud to work in the education industry: people share knowledge to help others succeed.

Haiku LMS users know that there’s a supportive Haiku community that provides tips and advice for setting up an online course, sharing resources, and engaging students. And when the Haiku team finds helpful information we like to pass it along, too.

A recent article in eLearn Magazine gives educators ten tips on how to manage an online discussion. Although the article’s context is higher education, many of the conventions apply or adapt to the K12 realm as well. If you get a chance, see for yourself.

Posted in Tips & Resources
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