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EdTech Tip Sheet: October 2020

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October 09, 2020

FASE's EdTech Tip Sheet

Compiled for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Community, straight from the Education Technology Office, and sharing everything you should know about education technology news, events, & support.

Online Assessments · Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) · TEAL CoP: How are you? Session · Crowdmark · New blogs · Top 5 EdTech Qs · Schedule a consult  · EdTech Services
 
 

QUERCUS SUPPORT
It's mid-term time!

Selecting your online assessment tool: Which tool should you use and why?

Shockingly, we have moved impossibly quickly from the start of the term right into the middle of the term (I think we're one week ahead, but with a new study week this year from November 09 to 13, 2020, we're right on the cusp of being halfway through the Fall 2020 term). This means that that voice in the back of your head saying "I better build my assessments" is likely getting a little bit louder... 

Assessing student learning online can be challenging, but there are several tools that can help support your assessment strategy. In this session, we'll explore the benefits and drawbacks of the assessment tools that are part of the Academic Toolbox (see how the toolbox works). For example, if you have a large course where there's an element of student submission of paper-based/handwritten work, you might consider Crowdmark. If you're looking to run a multi-question test that allows for a unique instance for each student writing, you might consider Quercus Quizzes with its question bank functionality. You likely have one of two parameters that will almost make your decision for you.

Last week, Anna Limanni, the ETO's Senior Instructional Technologist, led a session that was intended to help support your decision process as you decide which assessment tool to use (see blog post review with recording and session slide deck) and then how to build your online assessments (see select your assessment tool). During the session, there was extensive talk about the general functionality (and the limitations) of each assessment tool, but we didn't get into specifics. If you'd like some help to pick a tool, or if you've decided and are looking for some help to build an assessment, you can schedule a consultation and we'll get started.

Watch the Recording:

 
 
 

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month!

The FASE IT Office has identified configuring your multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your UTOR account as a major cybersecurity initiative, especially since we are working from home. For instructions on how to set this up, visit the Systems Access, eTokens & UTORMFA page on the Engineering Hub.
 
What is Multi-Factor Authentication? Verifying your identity using a second factor (like your mobile device) prevents anyone but you from accessing your accounts, even if they know your password.
 
NEW TEAL CoP SESSION

Upcoming Session: How are you?

You've read all the articles and you've made it to the Thanksgiving break - but how are things really going? What is working and what had completely unintended side effects (positive or negative)? As we reflect on the past few weeks and look towards future weeks (terms?) online, how are you doing?

Join us for a 1-hour, informal session where we can check-in, share our experiences, and work together to design and implement thoughtful and beneficial online learning experiences, while acknowledging that this has been a lot and that we might need to take a moment, too.

This session is "sponsored"  by the FASE's TEAL Community of Practice but is absolutely open to all who are interested in participating in the conversation. Whether this is your first conversation about your teaching (or your 1000th), we'd love for you to join.

The session is scheduled for October 19, 2020 from 10 - 11 am (Please note that it will not be recorded, since it will largely be conversational). If you'll be joining us, please register to access the online meeting information.

Register for the TEAL CoP Session now!
 

Crowdmark is licensed! Yes, Faculty-wide!

Crowdmark has been officially licensed across the Faculty for the current academic year! Crowdmark is particularly effective for assessments that involve uploading digitally scanned handwritten work for marking and feedback (see How can I submit handwritten (or paper-based) work for tips on how to create a submission template and suggested apps to use for submission).
 

EDTECH OFFICE BLOG
Recent blog posts

SELECT YOUR ONLINE ASSESSMENT TOOL
By Priscilla | October 08, 2020
On October 07, 2020, Anna shared with us the advantages and disadvantages of using Quercus and Crowdmark for your online assessment tools! 
 
LEARNING HOW TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE ONLINE SPACE
By Kate | September 25, 2020
Takeaways from the Open Conversation: Creating & Maintaining Inclusive Online Spaces session!
 
TEACHING WITH ZOOM
By Priscilla | September 24, 2020

Instructional designer Rubaina Khan shows us the ropes on how to use Zoom for teaching online - see sessions recording and slidedeck.
 
FIRST WEEK BACK AT FASE!
By Priscilla | September 22, 2020

Everyone had a whole summer to prepare - so, how are the results? Let's take a look! Read this blog about one of the EdTech Intern's perspective about online/remote learning this semester.
 
Read all the articles posted on the ETO Blog
 

TRAINING AND SUPPORT
This week's top EdTech questions

  1. How do I use Piazza? (For Students) This article provides instructions on accessing Piazza in your Quercus course, creating a Piazza account, and modifying your account settings.  
  2. How do I use Piazza in my course? Piazza Q&A is an online discussion tool that allows students to post questions and collaborate to edit responses to these questions. Instructors can also answer questions, endorse student answers, and edit or delete any posted content.
  3. How do I create a truly anonymous survey form? In order to get a truly anonymous response, we recommend Microsoft Forms with the below settings selected since Quercus surveys can be de-anonymized by members of the teaching team.
  4. What are my options for video captioning? This guide provides an overview of your responsibilities as an instructor to provide accessible content within your course. It also includes technical "how to" instructions to enable you to add captions to your video content (using automatic tools and processes for commonly used video hosting tools as well as options for captioning services).
  5. What Quercus Quiz analytics can I see? Once a quiz has at least one submission, you can obtain quiz reports. There are a variety of reports and data available in Quercus to make it easy to see what is happening in your course. Reports can help you to better understand the effectiveness of quiz questions, through quiz logs, statistics, analysis reports and question breakdowns.
 

Upcoming Q&A Sessions for CTSI Webinars

Did you attend a CTSI webinar (see the global events calendar or view a recording of a session) and have some follow-up questions? Register for an upcoming Q&A session with CTSI and ACT staff:
Last Call! Registration closes for CTSI's Online Course Design fall cohort on October 14, 2020. See the Course Design for Online info page for more details and to register! The course runs for 6 weeks, from October 19, 2020 to December 04, 2020.
 

EDTECH SERVICES
How else can the EdTech Office help?

Check out our service catalogue to get started:
  1. Schedule a consultation - We're happy to meet with you to discuss any element of your course (related to technology, of course!).
  2. Request a new Quercus course - We can create courses for both academic and administrative purposes (so no, it doesn't need to be a course, phew!). If you're running a program, committee, group (especially one that has students), this might be a great hub for your work.
  3. Request guest Quercus Accounts - These can be used to provide access to external guests or to be used in testing.
  4. 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.
  5. Book in-studio filming - Coming soon! While this service is not currently up and running due to access restrictions, we do hope to offer this soon. In the meantime, please fill out this form to let us know your interest.
 
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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Article Category: EdTech Newsletter