We extend our condolences to Chris Branham, truck driver training instructor, on the passing of his father, Dareth Branham on July 31. Read the obituary.
LLCC Nursing welcomes Delaney Patton
LLCC Nursing welcomes Delaney Patton, BSN, TNS, CVRN to the team! Delaney will serve as a lab professional overseeing simulations for nursing and health care students. She comes with years of experience as a nurse for Memorial Health. Delaney is also an LLCC alum, having graduated in 2010 with her nursing degree. You can reach her at delaney.patton@llcc.edu or 217-786-2471.Welcome back Delaney!
Only one more week to save SoftChalk content
As a reminder, LLCC will not be renewing the college’s SoftChalk license after the current contract expires. The deadline to export and save any content currently stored in your SoftChalk Cloud accounts is Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. Content that is not exported by the end of the license expiration will be lost.
Keep in mind:
- The deadline of Aug. 15 is for exporting and saving Softchalk Cloud content.
- The export files created are html/index files and can be loaded directly into Canvas and will function the same as they do in Softchalk Cloud. The exception to this is SoftChalk lessons that are connected to the Canvas Gradebook. These connections will be lost when the html/index files are uploaded directly into Canvas.
- AIeL has developed both written directions and video tutorials on how to download SoftChalk lessons from the cloud and upload them in Canvas.
H5P
LLCC has now licensed new content authoring software called H5P, which offers more design flexibility and a richer feature set than SoftChalk. H5P can be used to create a wider variety of interactive content types, including quizzes, games, and simulations. H5P content is designed to be accessible to all users, which is especially important for students with disabilities. H5P is also mobile-friendly, so students can access H5P on almost any type of device. H5P is also open source and has a large and active community of users who contribute to its development and who share different kinds of content with one another.
Please note:
- Transitioning content from SoftChalk to H5P is not required. As described above, exported SoftChalk Cloud files (html/index files) can be loaded into Canvas courses and will look and function the same as they do when stored in SoftChalk Cloud with the exception for those lessons tied directly to the gradebook.
- AIeL began training and support for H5P during the fall 23 semester with the intent to provide a full academic year for those who wish to transition from SoftChalk to H5P.
- Workshops on H5P are still being offered through the spring 24 semester and can be found on the AIeL Workshop Schedule. Questions about the use of H5P can also be answered at AIeL open labs or by appointment with a member of the AIeL Team.
If you have any additional questions, contact Becky Parton, dean of LLCC Academic Innovation and eLearning, at 217-786-2351.
In the news
Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, was interviewed by WICS about the History Cooks program at the the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
A heartfelt thank you
Handling Phishing Attempts: A Guide to Protect Yourself
It’s that time of year when LLCC sees an increase in phishing attempts.
Phishing involves fraudulent communications designed to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. Spear-phishing targets specific individuals within an organization by pretending to be someone they know or trust, such as a higher-up in the organization, to increase the chances of success.
Phishing attacks, especially those masquerading as communications from higher-ups in your organization, can be quite sophisticated and convincing. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself and mitigate the risk:
- Verify the Sender’s Identity
- Check the Phone Number/Email Address: Compare the sender’s contact information with your organization’s directory or known contact details. Phishers often use similar but slightly altered information.
- Contact the Sender Directly: Use a known, trusted method (e.g., calling their direct line) to confirm if they actually sent the message.
- Be Skeptical of Urgent Requests
- Question Unusual Requests: If the message asks for sensitive information, immediate action, or unusual tasks (like transferring money), be cautious. High-ranking officials typically follow standard procedures and rarely make such requests via text message.
- Look for Red Flags: Incorrect or spoofed email from address (usually one letter different than the correct one), or a tone that doesn’t match the sender’s typical communication style can be indicators of a phishing attempt.
- Avoid Clicking on Links or Downloading Attachments
- Don’t Click Without Verification: Links in phishing messages often lead to fake websites designed to steal your credentials. Always verify before clicking.
- Beware of Attachments: These can contain malware. Only open attachments if you are expecting them and have verified the sender.
- Use Multifactor Authentication (MFA)
- Enable MFA: This adds an extra layer of security. Even if your credentials are compromised, MFA can prevent unauthorized access.
- Use Secure Methods: Opt for authentication apps or hardware tokens over SMS-based codes, as these are more secure.
- Keep Software Up to Date
- Regular Updates: Ensure your operating system, applications, and antivirus software are up to date. Patches often fix security vulnerabilities that attackers exploit.
- Automatic Updates: Enable automatic updates where possible to stay protected without manual intervention.
- Educate Yourself and Others
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest phishing tactics and scams. Awareness is a key defense.
- Share Knowledge: Educate your colleagues about phishing threats and how to recognize them. A well-informed team is less likely to fall victim to such attacks.
- Trust Your Instincts — Be cautious: If something feels off, it probably is. It’s better to double-check and be safe than to assume and be sorry.
- Report Suspicious Activity — Notify the LLCC IT Help Desk: If the attempt is via email, report it through the “report message” button in Microsoft Outlook. This helps in tracking and mitigating threats for everyone. If you suspect a phishing attempt through texting or any other method, or if you believe you clicked on something suspicious, report it to the LLCC Help Desk by email at helpdesk@llcc.edu or calling 217-786-2555.
By staying vigilant and following these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks. Remember, cybercriminals rely on exploiting human trust and errors, so being cautious and informed is your best defense.
In the news
Shanda Byer, vice president of student services, was interviewed on WTAX on Friday, Aug. 2 about LLCC’s upcoming FAFSA Completion events.
ALL presents Arts for ALL public presentations
LLCC’s Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL) is offering two free Arts for ALL public presentations featuring the beauty and uniqeness of all people, through the arts. Dates are Aug. 8 and Oct. 2.
Kick off the new school year with Convocation Aug. 16
Save the date for the annual Convocation for faculty and staff! It will be held Friday, Aug. 16, starting at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Union. This year’s event will feature acclaimed global futurist, best-selling author and speaker Jack Uldrich! In addition, the day will include an address by Dr. Warren, department meetings in the afternoon and a social from 4-6 p.m. in the Hamilton Area.
More details will be coming in LincIn!
Rep. Budzinski Tours LLCC Diesel Technology Lab
LLCC hosted Rep. Nikki Budzinski and representatives of Skills USA and the AED Workforce Development Foundation on Wednesday in the Diesel Technologies Lab. Skills USA and AED thanked the congresswoman for helping secure a Department of Labor grant to support and develop high school programs that promote skilled trades. While at LLCC, Rep. Budzinski was given a tour of the Diesel Technologies lab from Program Director Jeff Gardner.