How the EdTech Office can help
We can help with idea generation
There's a lot of resources to help you get started, but it can still be challenging to go from here to there. Join us for our new webinar series featuring faculty members sharing lessons they've learned, explore our self-directed guides on everything from how to administer Zoom in your course to Quercus course shell examples so that you do not have to start from scratch.
We can help with course planning
We're happy to offer 1-1 consultations wherein we can discuss any aspect of your course as it relates to technology, focusing especially on helping you map your learning outcomes to available institutional technologies. We know you have a lot of decisions to make this summer - from choosing your course modalities to how to set up your space to pre-record content or what webinar tool to use.
We can help with course building
We can help you with the work, too. Our Educational Technologists are ready and willing to help you! They can help you build course elements, plan assessments, test activities, and provide video and media production support (Book a Quercus/Academic Toolbox consult or a Content Production consult now!). If you're pre-recording content, see if our remote editing process would work for you (we do the editing!).
Let us help with the work
- Remote Editing of previously recorded content - Do you have content from a previous term that you'd like to re-use? We can help clean and trim this content and polish it for use in a new term.
- Join the lecture capture program - Concerned about students who might not be on campus? We can help you select the appropriate lecture capture option to ensure your synchronous content is available asynchronously.
- Request a one time only or project-based filming session - Do you have a guest speaker participating (virtually or in person)? Perhaps a special lab? Request a filming session to ensure it's captured and re-usable.
- Building your Quercus course - Do you want to build or enhance your Quercus course? We can help you maximize your Quercus course with effective and efficient strategies for course organization.
Transitioning to Online/Remote Teaching
- Planning your Transition
- Recording video content
- Building your Course
- Synchronous Sessions
- Technical Help Guides
It can be hard to allocate time for planning, especially when you are facing a condensed course re-design timetable. But, hours spent thinking about your course are a worthwhile investment, even when time is short. These guides will help you refine for your design plan and get you over the "hump" - that stage where you want to get going, but need that first step.
Guide to Online/Remote Course Design:
After you've made your design decisions, you probably want to get started. These guides help you create content (largely pre-recorded video content) and plan live course sessions (largely using a webinar tool). There is a major shortage of hardware (e.g. webcams, tablets, etc.) due to increased demand - if you are thinking of making this purchase, we recommend that you do so as soon as possible (see our recommendations for selecting hardware).
Guide to Self-Capturing (Video/Screen Captures, Filming-at-home videos, etc.):
- Before you Begin
- How to participate in the remote editing process
- Selecting your hardware and software
- Creating video content
- Sharing content with your students
Trending topics in this category:
- Select your hardware for self-capturing your screen
- Select your hardware for self-filming from your location
- Review of popular video styles (e.g. Khan Academy, TedTalks, Masterclass, whiteboard, etc.)
- Overview of different video formats
- Overview of how to self-capture (and share) course content
Let us help you build your course design ideas in Quercus. With our in-depth knowledge of the functionality and features of the system (as well as the other tools included in U of T's Academic Toolbox), we can help you create a rich learning environment for your course (and then we can help you copy it from term to term).
Guide to Building your Quercus Course:
Chances are that a portion of your online/remote course is going to be "live" (those participating in the course will join a webinar at the same time to participate in course activities). Ideally, these sessions will be recorded and shared back to your course, allowing for review and supplemental access.
Guide to Synchronous online sessions (webinars, livestreaming, etc.):
- Overview of Webinar Tools
- Before your Session (Planning and organization)
- During your session (Session templates and activities)
- After your session (Wrap up and recordings)
While the guides are great, what can you do when something goes wrong or is not working as you'd expected? Contact us! We encourage you to send us an email or schedule a consultation session. You might also find the answer to your question in our published technical help guides or review U of T's Quercus Support Resources.
Technical Help Areas of Support (by tool):
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What's happening with Quercus?
How We Can Help
Training
We offer in person, one-on-one or group training sessions to help you familiarize yourself with instructional technology tools. Customized training sessions can be tailored for your specific requirements to help you get the most out of your equipment and tools.
Planning
Detailed project planning will ensure that you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. Whether it is to help students achieve learning outcomes, saving time and resources, or making content more accessible and interactive, we’ll help you think about today, tomorrow, and two years from now. Together, we'll develop a roadmap to make your project successful.
Consultation
We can help you take your idea to implementation. While we do offer development services and support, you might just want a sounding board. We're happy to listen, offer advice, share contacts and experiences, or provide any other assistance that you might need.
Resource Development
We can work with you to help develop your own training and support materials for your class. Materials can range from quick turnaround resources (e.g., documents, screen captures) to larger projects (e.g., instructional videos). The best development windows for larger resource projects may be between terms or over the summer months, so we encourage you to plan ahead.
Support
When we work together in this setup and implementation process, we can avoid some common missteps in piloting new technology. And you can have the confidence in knowing we’re here to call in case you run into technical difficulties.
Trouble Shooting
We provide direct support online, over the phone, or in person for instructors who are using centrally supported services.
