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Summer is a time for reflection and learning at the ETO. Join us for ETO Summer School - here is what our team is reading, taking on, and learning as we get ready to support you with your courses and projects in Fall 2022. |
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...but summer just started!
While we don't have any desire to wish away summer, we do want to get you thinking about your fall courses (see the start-of-term checklist)! So, what do you need to think about sooner rather than later, when it comes to Quercus and other technology-related course planning?
Here's a few things we'd love for you to tackle in July:
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Let us know (by July 15, 2022) whether you plan to use Crowdmark
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Check out the 2022/2023 Academic Toolbox
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Archive your Zoom recordings (if they are saved on the Zoom cloud)
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Consider if you'll use a backchanneling tool (or technique) during your in-person teaching
In our July newsletter, we'll focus on getting your Quercus course set up for a strong September start (you can get a head start and check out the Start Strong Module series). |
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1. Opt-in for 2022/2023 Crowdmark Use
Let us know if you plan to use Crowdmark for either in administered (in person) or assessed (submitted digitally) assessments in the upcoming fall, winter, or summer terms. New to Crowdmark? Learn more about this online assessment tool or take a refresher on how to get started (for instructors).
Submit this form to opt in for Crowdmark Use
Let us know via our MS Forms Survey if you are planning to use Crowdmark.
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2. Review the 2022/2023 Academic Toolbox
How do you know which tools will continue to be available in the Quercus Academic Toolbox? Academic and Collaborative Technologies (ACT) has answered this question with a one-pager PDF that details the U of T Academic Toolbox for the 2022/2023 year. Spoiler: Zoom and Piazza will be available! If you're curious about the status of current requests for proposals and procurement processes for new Toolbox tools, ACT publishes updates to their major projects on their wiki page (you can also see what ideas have been submitted on the View Ideas page).
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3. Archive your Zoom recordings (if they are saved on the Zoom cloud)
Head's up! As of July 05, 2022, U of T is implementing a one-year retention policy for recordings stored on the Zoom cloud. If you are already using OneDrive (or other cloud storage), MyMedia, MS Stream, YouTube, etc., or if you choose to record your Zoom session locally, your recordings will not be affected by this policy (see how to check if you have any Zoom cloud recordings in your U of T Zoom account).
Key details about the U of T Zoom Cloud Recording Retention Policy
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Recordings created after July 5th, 2021, will be held on the Zoom Cloud for 365 calendar days and will then be deleted.
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Recordings created prior to July 5, 2021, will be deleted on July 5, 2022 at 4:00 pm.
Learn more about your Zoom recording options
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What's the best way to record my Zoom sessions?
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How do I make a cloud recording in Zoom?
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How do I make a local recording in Zoom?
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In the fourth episode of MADE for U of T, we hear from the founder of Archetypes and Effects, a company that helps to bring stories to life using emerging forms of storytelling and technologies. Laura shares her thoughts on some important factors to consider before using innovative technologies like augemented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to tell a story. If you are interested to learn more about AR/VR, consider joining the U of T listserv for AR/VR through the Digital Learning Innovation site. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript on the ETO Blog! |
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4. Consider if you'll use a conversation tool (or technique) during your in-person teaching
New Session Teaser! While teaching remotely (e.g. via Zoom or Teams) during the pandemic, many instructors observed an increase in student participation via the 'chat' function. Thanks to this functionality, more students actively asked and answered questions when classes were online than when classes were held on campus. Students also interacted more with each other and the digital record enabled instructors to reflect on questions asked during the session and consider how and if their future classes could be modified and improved.
During this in-person, interactive session, we will look at how to retain this live chat function in on-campus classes to facilitate student questions and discussion. We will:
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review and get hands-on practice with the 'chat' tools that you can use in on-campus classes
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explore the different applications of chat for active learning activities (including formative assessment, backchannel conversations, digital collaboration)
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share ideas about what your colleagues are experimenting with (and their teaching goals motivating them to do so)
Interested in attending this session?
We're still figuring out the exact time and place, but we are aiming for mid to late August (in person). If you'd like to attend, let us know and we'll email you when session details have been confirmed (you'll know when we know). If you can't attend, you can let us know if you'd like the recording instead.
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Share pages with a QR Code
You can create a QR (quick response) Code to share a page (this guide details how to do it from Chrome but you can also use another QR code app) with others. This is handy if you'd like people to easily access a web resource. You post (for example, as part of your slide deck but it can be embedded into any file) the code and people can scan the code (using their camera apps) to access the link. Especially helpful for longer/complicated URLs and/or classroom response tool links like Mentimeter!
 Try it by scanning this QR code (it takes you to instructions on how to generate your own) or follow the steps on Share pages with a QR code (plus instructions for Android or iPhone and iPad).
PS The dinosaur is generated automatically but it's a pretty great bonus! |
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June's Faculty Question(s)
Each week we answer a real question that we've received about Quercus and other Academic Toolbox tools, keeping the questions timely and relevant to you. You can select on the question to read the full inquiry and response or see all previous faculty questions of the week.
Read the Faculty Question of the Week
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 How can I send the results of a Crowdmark exam to only one student? (June 23, 2022) | I want to send the results of an assignment in Crowdmark to only one student but I can only find an option to send grades to the entire class. |
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 How do I weight my Quercus assignments based on my syllabus? (June 16, 2022) | I am using a Quercus Quiz with a 20-point total; the quiz is worth 30%. I also have a midterm exam and a final exam (in Quercus). |
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Reads from around the Web
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Hybrid learning is just learning: Don’t fall for the fad | Nigel Paine. We need to steer away from the shiny new solutions and strive for evidence-based action if we want to better support our organizations.
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Ten Online Course Structural Components to Support Learning | Carissa Gober, Faculty Focus. Online courses can be examined from two perspectives—what students do in the course and how a professor structures the course.
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3 Lessons Learned From the Return to Hybrid Presenting | Maegan Stephens, Duarte. Long before closets became home offices and kitchen tables doubled as desks, we had hybrid work environments.
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Schools Are Looking for Evidence From Their EdTech. Are Companies Ready to Provide it? Emily Tate Sullivan, EdSurge. How well technology works to improve outcomes for kids—or when it works, for whom, and under what conditions—remains a mystery to, well, everyone.
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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 for the latter 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 temporary accounts (up to 360 days) can be used to provide access to external guests or be used in testing (for more complex course configurations and features).
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Participate in the Remote Editing Process - We've designed a remote editing process that begins with support as you to record your own content (from wherever) and ends with the Education Technology Office to provide editing services and posting to your Quercus course. This is ideal for trimming and cutting webinar recordings. Due to demand, we've decided to continue this service as a regular offering from the ETO.
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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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