If you or your students are new to using Digication, here are some tips for supporting your students and facilitating a smoother introduction to Digication.
Logging in:
Students will log into Digication using their du.edu single sign on student email and password. Students can access Digication directly through Canvas, and must visit Digication within your course to be added to the roster for that course. (Make sure you have enabled Digication in Canvas so it is available to students.) The first time students click on Digication, they will be prompted to log in. Once they are logged in, they can access all of their ePortfolios as well as any that were shared with the course. If students are having log in issues, please encourage them to contact the IT Help Desk.
Browser issues:
If students are struggling to access Digication, they may need to switch browsers. Digication does not currently work on Safari, Microsoft Edge, or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Google Chrome is the preferred browser, but it will also work on Firefox. Set your students up for success by having them download Google Chrome before accessing Digication.
Create a template:
One effective approach for supporting students through the process of creating an ePortfolio is to provide a template with clear prompts. Instructors can create and customize these templates to fit their course needs. Templates can then be easily added into a student’s ePortfolio to structure a new assignment, or as an additional page for an already existing ePortfolio.
Student technical support:
The OTL does not provide technical support for students. If students need technical support (like logging in or resetting their password) for Digication, they can contact the IT Help Desk. Additionally, they can use Digication’s Student Guide.
The OTL has created a Digication template that is blank except for a Student Resource tab that can be added to a template you are creating for your class. This tab contains asynchronous instructions for some of the more commonly used student tools within Digication. Before you create your own class template, download this resource tab into the ePortfolio you will build your own template out within. After creating your template, share with students and they can have these resources on hand as they start creating. Then, simply have them delete or hide the page before submitting their final ePortfolio.
Create an assignment:
Once a template is created for the course, instructors can create assignments to scaffold the work students are doing as they build their final ePortfolio. Not only can this help students to stay organized and on top of deadlines, but it also allows students to engage in lower stakes, formative assessments that instructors can provide helpful feedback on before students submit their final ePortfolio.
Getting familiar with the technology:
When introducing the ePortfolio assignment, it can be beneficial to allocate some class time to give students the chance to familiarize themselves with Digication. Giving this class time allows you to be on hand to support any potential issues that might arise and gives students the opportunity to collaborate and troubleshoot with peers. This might be a good time to have students download your template and get started putting together an “About Me” page!
Before introducing students to Digication, make sure you are familiar and comfortable with using the technology. Schedule a consultation with the OTL’s Faculty Developer of Integrative and Experiential Learning, Kellie Ferguson, to learn more about the functionality of Digication.
We recommend familiarizing yourself with the following faculty guides:
- Add a template to a course, assessment group, or community
- Create, edit, or delete assignments
- Providing feedback
We recommend familiarizing yourself with the following student guides:
- How to add a template to an ePortfolio
- How to add content
- How to publish and share
- How to submit an assignment (Kora)
- How to review feedback (Kora)
Share examples:
Another useful way to support students while they get started is to share examples of student ePortfolios. Ask students from previous terms for permission to share their ePortfolios to model what your assignment looks like once completed. Here are some sample ePortfolios provided by Digication. Or, check out some samples created by DU students:
