VIDEO PRODUCTION
You have video content. Let's re-use it!
Let us help! Consider participating in our remote editing program and let us help clean and trim your existing videos to share to your upcoming courses. Our goal is to trim, cut, and chunk - we delete any extra footage (let's get rid of those technical transitions) at the beginning and end of your recording, we cut longer student-focused activities (especially any break out room or active learning activities captured in the recording), and condense long, complex videos into smaller videos to focus on your key course concepts and examples (if this is your preference). Our goal with this specific process is to maximize what you already have, not to redo the work you've already done.
Why do this? Student feedback (as does the research on the benefits of lecture capture) supports sharing lecture content for supplemental review (not to replace time in the classroom). By sharing pre-captured video, you're not only supporting students who might miss a class but you're supporting the learning of all the students in the course.
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QUERCUS & ACADEMIC TOOLBOX
The ETO's Top Five EdTech Tips for September
We know things are up in the air for the fall term and this makes planning difficult (to say the least). We are recommending to start thinking about how you can design your course to include flexible learning experiences from the start; if you need to switch course modalities, you'll be well-positioned to do so (but let's hope that's not necessary). Expanding how you offer your course will not only preventatively support your students with any accommodations; it will support all your students. Remember that these are suggestions. We hope you'll pick and choose which ones resonate with you for your course.
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Continue what worked (for you) during the past year. You likely stumbled onto something that was surprisingly effective this past year. Keep doing that! If it works for you and it works for your students - this is a win/win! An example would be online office hours. It was never easy to get students to attend in person office hours, and many students report that it is easier to attend office hours in-person to avoid commuting and scheduling difficulties.
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Consider offering one tutorial section completely online. While it is very clear that students are expected to be in Toronto for Fall 2021 (see the June 07, 2021 message from the Dean regarding scenarios for Fall on campus), it is difficult to predict possible challenges to students that will prevent them from being on campus. By including an online tutorial in your planning early, you'll be proactively providing an accommodation to students (with proper documentation) without having to readjust your plans at the last minute. You might even find a TA that preferred online to in person!
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Record (and share) as many course activities as you can. Plan to record and share your synchronous course activities so that they can be shared asynchronously online. Lecture capture doesn't have to be fancy; use the in-room capturing systems (on full teaching podium stations), self-capture using TechSmith relay, or, if you're using a chalkboard, email us (fase.edtech@utoronto.ca) to talk options.
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Use online assessments for the first few weeks of class. You likely want to start the term with a bit of a check in with your students; consider running these lower stakes assessments online instead of in person. Using online tools while maximizing your in person time could be an effective way to structure your course - bonus is that it accommodates anyone who cannot physically be on campus without you having to create/structure a second assessment. Consider booking an assessment review to make sure everything is configured optimally.
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Start early and ask for help. No course is simple; certainly no course that blends delivery mechanisms! Stick to your core structure and maximize the tools (and services) to help you deliver your course this year. This is everything from tapping the ETO to help you edit last year's videos for reposting this year, setting up your assessments, and testing out how you'll run office hours. Yes, I cheated on this last point but both are key: start now and ask for help!
The ambiguity of September is stressful for everyone. Making thoughtful decisions, keeping things as simple as they can be in a mixed modality course, and getting the support you need - yes, now! - will ensure you are prepared for whatever the Fall brings. |
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Low Effort, Big Impact Tips
Using the Browser Element Inspector
Do you want to see how your Quercus Home Page (or any other course page) will look on the different devices your students might use to view it? Use your browser Inspect Element tool! (We used Chrome as an example, but other browsers have similar tools.)
To access Inspect Element in Google Chrome, open the page you want to check, then:
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Right-click anywhere on the page and select Inspect (it will be at the very bottom of the menu that pops up). If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, you can also press CMD + Option + I on a Mac, or F12 on a PC.
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Select the little phone icon in the top left corner
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Select Responsive in the menu at the top
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Resize the browser to check how your page would look on different screen sizes (e.g., laptop, tablet, or phone). You can also use the menu select specific device sizes like iPad Pro or Galaxy X5 (select Edit to modify device list).
While these simulations won’t necessarily behave 100% like the actual devices, they will give you a good idea of how your page will look on different screen sizes.
Want to make your page more responsive so it looks better on all screen sizes? The ETO can help with page design tips!
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ETO STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT
Good bye FASE, hello iSchool!
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See the farewell blog post to learn a bit more about Joanna's new role! |
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FASE EVENTS
Upcoming July Webinars
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These webinars are part of the FASE EdTech Office's Lessons Learned Webinar Series. The sessions will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the ETO website. If you'd like to be notified when the recording is available, please sign up for the session (even if you cannot attend) and you will be included in the email notifications.
Tips and Tricks Learned, Teaching Math Online
July 20, 2021 | 1:10 pm | Register now!
Prof. Mark Ebden, UTSG | In Winter 2021 for ECE286 (Probability & Statistics), students had 13 synchronous Zoom lectures and 36 asynchronous videos. Today I'll outline the Quercus setup, student-engagement methods during lectures, academic integrity during the five Crowdmark assessments, integrating internet content, coordinating e-tutorials, and other aspects of this online course.
MathMatize Your Classroom: Using MathMatize for Active Linear Algebra and Calculus Courses
July 15, 2021 | 1:10 pm | Register now!
Prof. Jonathan Herman, UTM | The switch to online was sudden and challenging, and my first virtual semester was a bit of a scramble. But now, after a full year, my lectures have never been more active, and my student feedback is increasingly positive. I've come to love some aspects of online teaching, which I hope to carry over once we are back in-person.
In this session, I'll share how I structure my lectures at UTM and provide an overview of MathMatize, an EdTech tool that I am co-creating. I primarily use MathMatize for live polls and online quizzes; however, I am also using the gamified learning resources as a pre-class readiness tool in my linear algebra class this summer.
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.
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Spotlight on CTSI
Tune into Teaching Week (August 23-27)!
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Active Learning Strategies for Online Learning
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Inclusive Teaching Strategies for Supporting EAL Students
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Syllabus Design
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Teaching with Technology
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Personalizing your Land Acknowledgements
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And more!
Sessions are open to all new and returning faculty and librarians.
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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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How do I request a Quercus testing account? Instructors can request the creation of a long term QQ account that can then be enrolled in your Quercus course as a student. We highly recommend this for any complex learning activity that you've planned - you always want to make sure what you think the student is seeing is what the student is...actually seeing.
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How do I rename a .trec Camtasia Recorder file? If you're using Camtasia to record for your project, you probably have a lot of video components and you'd like to name them in a person-readable way. Here's the trick on how to do that!
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EDTECH OFFICE BLOG
Recent blog posts
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 Start Strong Modules Series
By Alli | June 29, 2021
A self-paced online support resource launching in late July! It's our biggest formal support effort to date & consolidates our resources into modules. |
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 Upcoming July Events
By Alli | June 22, 2021
What's happening around UofT (and beyond) in the world of EdTech? Find out on our monthly rundown of online events! |
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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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