LEARN and LTC Update on Remote Teaching and Learning Support
Campus Instructors,
As you finish your first week of preparation, we hope that you have started to get a sense of what the rest of your semester may look like. Please know that if you are struggling, you do not have to struggle alone and that the Learning Technology Center (LTC) and LEARN Center are here to support you in your transition to alternative delivery. We will be sending a weekly email to share information regarding the trending things that are coming into our offices that highlight what’s on the minds of our campus instructors and students.
It’s All About Getting Started!
Many of the inquiries that are coming into our offices are about how to get started. You might start by:
1. Easing student anxiety about starting alternative delivery and completing their semester in this format by reaching out to them to share your current plans, even if your plans are still shifting. If you haven’t used Canvas before, reach out to your students with an email using WINS.
2. Setting up your Canvas course site by adding an announcement, content to your “Home” area, and assignments. We’ve been hearing from students that it is easier for them if content and assignments are added to Canvas in a chronological order (e.g., Week 10, Week 11, etc.) rather than by type (e.g., assignments, readings, etc.) and if you select a due date so it goes on their calendar. Once you have things set in your Canvas course site, don’t forget to publish the course so students can see it!
3. Planning how you want to connect with students during alternate delivery. Consider using both synchronous (e.g., Webex Meetings in Canvas or the chat feature) and asynchronous (e.g., email, Canvas Announcement) means of communication and instructional delivery to meet the needs of more students. If you use synchronous methods (e.g., Webex Meetings) please be flexible with students and make alternate arrangements for those students who may lack capable devices and internet connections at specific times.
4. Creating a video in Canvas of yourself explaining how you’re doing, that you care about them, and what your immediate plans for the course might be.
5. Ensuring that your alternative delivery instruction is accessible for students with disabilities. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) has created a CSD Faculty/Staff Canvas Resource Site to help you. If you have any questions about how your courses can be made accessible for students who have self-disclosed, feel free to contact the student’s disability service coordinator who is listed on their accommodation letter in the Faculty Portal. Also, please note that Webex Meetings has a new Automatic Transcription feature!
Building Additional Resources
Have you seen a great resource that you think other instructors would benefit from? Did you create something for your course that is a great example that others could learn from? Are you looking for resources on a specific topic? Please use this link to submit ideas, examples, and needs so we can cultivate the resources you need to succeed:
http://uwwhitewater.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3pDH6u09C2hoxud
Getting Help
As the Chancellor’s message urged earlier this week, the LTC and LEARN Center will be shifting workshops, consultations, and support virtually.
- LTC is ready to offer consultations and support on how to transition things you may have done face-to-face to alternate delivery, as well as our different technology tools that support remote teaching and learning. We are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. via phone (262-472-1004), email (ltc@uww.edu), and Webex. To request a Webex consultation, all instructors need to do is email or call and the next available team member will email them a direct link that they can click on to receive assistance. We have been doing a lot of those this week and this process has been working well! Please note that we are seeing an increased volume of inquiries at this time and our staff is working hard to answer inquiries in a timely manner. While it may be much sooner than this, every effort will be made to answer your message within 1 business day of receipt.
- The LEARN Center is also available to discuss options and new ideas for activities or assessments via email (learn@uww.edu or pelzelh@uww.edu). You can also reach us via phone or Webex by appointment. To set up a call or conference time, please email pelzelh@uww.edu.
A Few Self-Help Resources
As you’re preparing, you may be looking for some self-help resources to guide you. Here’s a few that we would like to recommend:
- Our campus Remote Teaching Website has a number of resources to get folks started transitioning their courses to alternative delivery. This site features things instructors would typically do face-to-face and suggests a tool that can support instructors in doing something similar, as well as a few tips for getting started. As we gather more resources, this site will grow so keep checking back!
- For the latest updates from the LTC check or subscribe via email to our Instructional Resource Blog. This is where we post updates about our tools, workshops, and support.
- You may also want to refer to the LEARN Center’s Research-Based Teaching Tips for additional ideas, including leading online discussions and guides for crafting exams. New resources will continue to be added in coming weeks.
Please know that even though we are also going remote, we are still here for you!
Best,
Heather Pelzel (LEARN Center Director)
Nicole Weber (Director of Learning Technology)