PLANNING FOR FALL
Student accommodations
This year, all instructors need to prepare for student accommodations throughout the year. Some students are submitting official accommodation requests because they cannot be physically on campus at the start of term, while others may experience illness at any point during the term, for example. This blog post on student accommodations has some easy-to-implement strategies to help you develop an accommodation plan that serves your students well without adding too much to your workload. For full details, see our guide to creating an accommodation plan.
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QUERCUS & ACADEMIC TOOLBOX
Let's do this! What are you looking for, right now?
September is coming up fast and now is the time to start operationalizing your ideas for the upcoming fall term. Not going to lie, we're going to throw a lot at you in this newsletter! This buffet overview is not intended to overwhelm, but to entice! Each instructor has a unique course and style and should use the services and options outlined below according to their own situations.
Are you looking for:
I'm looking for Quercus course building strategies, ideas, and support.
I'm so glad you said that! Somehow, in the midst of all that is this year, Anna has led an initiative to develop asynchronous, self-directed course building modules (learn more about the Start Strong modules). These modules are heavy on practical application using academic toolbox tools, but also strategically sprinkle in instructional design tips and tricks. To use the modules (you can start right now!), enroll in the Start Strong Quercus course.
How the do the Start Strong Modules work? There are two main components:
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Self-paced modules: The four core modules hosted in this Quercus course introduce you to key concepts for building your course. In each module, you will complete 1 to 3 essential tasks to help you advance with your course design and set-up. You can also explore additional resources to support course planning and design. You can access these modules after you have been enrolled in the Start Strong Quercus course. For an orientation to the course, begin with the Getting Started module. Then, work through the other modules in sequence.
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Learning together events: In addition to the Start Strong Quercus course, we have developed a series of three, 90-minute, synchronous (live) facilitated workshops hosted on Zoom. These sessions build on the self-paced activities in the modules to let you progress with your course design. These will typically include a short demo, followed by guided practice and discussion activities. While you can use the modules at any time during the year, the Learning Together synchronous sessions will be scheduled periodically throughout the year.
Register now for upcoming Learn Together Events
While we encourage you to review the Start Strong Modules, you're still welcome to attend the synchronous sessions.
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Start Strong - Learning Together Session 1: Using a Quercus Course Template (Thursday, August 26, 2021 | 2 - 3:30 pm pm)
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Start Strong - Learning Together Session 2: Assessment, Feedback, and the Gradebook (Monday, August 30, 2021 | 1 - 2:30 pm)
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Start Strong - Learning Together Session 3: Engagement and Communication (Thursday, September 02, 2021 | 1 - 2:30 pm)
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ACADEMIC TOOLBOX
Termination of Bb Collaborate License (August 31, 2021)
What does this mean for Bb Collaborate users?
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Make sure you archive your content. If you are currently using Bb Collaborate in your summer courses, be sure to save the recordings you'd like to keep by August 31, 2021 (see how you can download recordings of Bb Collaborate sessions).
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Consider other webinar options. UofT has two currently available tools for webinars: Zoom (see how to administer Zoom) and MS Teams. You can review currently available webinar tool options or schedule a consultation and we'd be happy to help you find a solution.
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Join us for a session that focuses on transitioning from Bb Collaborate to Zoom. Register now (both sessions are the same): Teaching with Zoom: Tuesday, August 24, 2021 from 1 - 2 pm OR Teaching with Zoom: Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 1 - 2 pm (see more information about this session under upcoming August webinars).
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I'm looking for more information on how to record my in class sessions.
The "lecture" capture (in brackets because it's really more than lectures!) solution you pick will depend on your teaching style. See our overview of different in class recording options to help you decide.
Do you teach digitally? The Office of Learning Space Management (LSM) has been busy and OpenCast (OCCS) will be moving into production on Quercus (very soon!). OpenCast provides automatic (but you do have to opt in) capture of digital and audio content in LSM classrooms with full teaching podiums. If you teach using slides, tablet, or other digital application, then this recording/capture solution is for you! (No more forgetting to hit record!). In the next few days, we'll be publishing new guides on how to administer OpenCast in your classroom, from enabling the tool, sharing the recordings with your Quercus class, and considering your archive options at the end of term. If you have questions (likely!), please email us at fase.edtech@utoronto.ca.
If you don't teach with digital delivery, see our review of other in-person Lecture Capture solutions. The comparison table helps you weigh key factors (e.g. your teaching modality, how you'd like to share the videos). There are a few solutions - some automated, some not so automated. It's worth a review to find the one that works for you.
If you teach using the chalkboard, and are interested in joining FASE's Lecture Capture program, please indicate your interest by next Friday ( August 27, 2021). Please note that we will do our best to continue our pre-COVID capture service but that there might be some changes as September shakes out. Right now, we're not quite sure how and if we'll be able to perform this service in person, but if we know you're interested, we'll work together to find something that works. We can also provide support and training for continuing to use a tablet or document camera as part of your course delivery.
I'm looking to use Crowdmark (either in person or online).
Last call! If you plan to use Crowdmark, please declare your intention to use the tool by tomorrow (Friday, August 20, 2021). You can do this by submitting this webform "I plan to use Crowdmark for the upcoming academic term" (please submit one form per course section; form is quick, under five minutes). It can be submitted by yourself, or you can forward this to your course coordinator or course support staff.
Looking for a bit of a Crowdmark refresher? Check out a Crowdmark training session and learn about new (and old) features. |
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ITIF is open for applications!
Application Deadline: November 19, 2021 (5:00 pm)
 The 2021 Instructional Technology Innovation Fund (ITIF) is now open for applications! ITIF provides opportunities for technology-mediated teaching and learning projects, in three funding streams. There will be drop-in consultation sessions on Teams video on September 3rd and 30th, and more in October and November. Drop in and let us help you with your proposal ideas! Apply online!
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FASE EVENTS
Upcoming August Webinars
Teaching with Zoom
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While we continue to plan for an in-person Fall term, we could still face changes to in-person rules at any point in the semester — we therefore want to plan ahead, enable flexibility, and build in course resiliency.
This session is geared towards transitioning from Bb Collaborate to Zoom. Before the session, we recommend that you review our guide on how to administer Zoom within Quercus. The goal is to help get instructors and staff comfortable with this different webinar tool. We're offering this session twice (you don't have to attend both):
In the sessions, we will cover the following topics:
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Creating and scheduling Zoom sessions and sharing through Quercus
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Understanding session settings and participant roles and permissions
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Presenting Content using options to share files, application, or entire screen
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Building interactivity using polls, whiteboard, and chat
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Creating space for small-group activities using breakout groups (both random and custom assignment)
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Viewing session recordings and reports (e.g. attendance)
What should I do if I can't attend the session?
If you cannot attend the session, please use the above sign up forms to indicate that you'd like to receive a recording. We'd be happy to email you one after the session is completed. The sessions will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the ETO website.
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Spotlight on CTSI
Tune into Teaching Week (August 23-27)!
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TRAINING & SUPPORT
This week's top EdTech questions
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How do I download my Bb Collaborate Recordings? After each term, we recommend downloading not only your Bb Collaborate recordings but any recordings made through any webinar tool (including Zoom). It's good practice to ensure that you have your own back-ups of any content you plan to re-use.
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Which webinar tool should I use (and when)? Synchronous activities (from courses to meetings to research groups) are when people participate in the activity in real time (though we do recommend recording the session, too). If you want to run something in real time, chances are you're going to want to pick from one of the currently available UofT tools. You'll want to keep in mind that the different tools have different strengths, and you might actually use a combination of the tools in order to achieve your goals.
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What are my options for lecture capture? There are few different techniques that you can use to capture your in person lectures. The technique you choose will depend on: what classroom you are in, what type of content you have, and how you'd like to share the content and your technical aptitude. This guide will help you compare the options and select the appropriate recording option for you.
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EDTECH OFFICE BLOG
Recent blog posts
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 MathMatize Your Classroom: Webinar Recap
By Sofia | August 26, 2021
Prof. Jonathan Herman, lecturer at UTM, joined our Lessons Learned Webinar Series to share with us MathMatize, an online math-learning platform. MathMatize has played a large role in online/remote teaching. |
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 Transitioning from Bb Collaborate to other webinar tools
By Alli | August 12, 2021
Bb Collaborate's contract with UofT will be ending on Aug. 31, 2021. The ETO is available to help you transition from Bb Collaborate to the alternate webinar tools available. |
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 Tips and Tricks Learning Teaching Math Online
By Sofia | July 28, 2021
Prof. Ebden shared some of the tis and tricks he learned while teaching ECE286, online! He discussed ideas for managing a course online, including how to ensure academic integrity. |
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 ePump: Patching the Leak in the Pipeline
By Sofia | July 13, 2021
This blog is about the ePUMP project - the goals, the project team (what the project team is doing and what the ETO is doing), and how the project has maintained momentum through a very momentous year. |
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FASE EDTECH OFFICE SERVICES
How can the EdTech Office help?
Check out our service catalogue to get started:
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Book a consultation - We're happy to meet with you to discuss any element of your course (related to technology, of course!). We can help with your Quercus course, planning your online assessments, setting up your home recording station and more!
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Request a new Quercus course - We can create courses for both academic and administrative purposes (though you might also consider a Microsoft Team). If you're running a program, committee, group (especially one that has students), this might be a great hub for your work.
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Request guest Quercus Accounts - These can be used to provide access to external guests or to be used in testing.
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Participate in the Remote Editing Process - We've designed a remote editing process that you allows the Education Technology Office to provide editing services for your self-captured video content. This program will only be offered during the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 terms.
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Looking for 1-1 support? We're happy to schedule individual (or teaching team) consultation(s) to review your course and current stage of design. You can also email us to get started! |
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