Govs Go Digital!

Now that you know how you will translate your face-to-face content, take the time to learn about the digital environment and tools you will be using.  Preparation now can save you time and stress later on!

Distance Education's Tech Tools and Resources website has guides (videos, step sheets, and sometimes both) for all of our tools.  Resources like this are really great because they can support you 24/7 and you can learn all about the tool or search for a specific topic.

• D2L Brightspace, called D2L for short, is the online classroom environment.

• Camtasia is a software based video tool that can be used to create and edit videos for tutorials/how-to/demos, lessons, presentations, etc.  The tool is very robust and has many features.  Distance Education purchases a limited number of licenses each year. 

  • Learn more about Camtasia, how to get a license, and access support resources

  • Learn more about instructional videos for online and hybrid courses

• Online proctoring is not required in online courses.  It is up to the instructor to determine the desired method to assess student learning.  Honorlock online proctoring may be used by some instructors to improve the academic integrity of online exams.  Contact Distance Education for assistance with online proctoring. 

• Snagit is another software based capture tool.  It can be used to create videos; however, the capture and editing features are limited.  Snagit's strength is in capturing and editing screen captures.  This is very helpful in creating quick instructional materials.  Distance Education purchases a limited number of licenses each year. 

  • Learn more about Snagit, how to get a license, and access support resources

  • Learn more about instructional videos for online and hybrid courses

• Turnitin provides tools to deter plagiarism and provide personalized feedback using rubrics and drag-and-drop, voice, and/or text comments.

• Tutor.com online tutoring helps students one-on-one, 24/7/365 with academic assistance.  Instructors should encourage student use if their course is support and then they can access student usage data and early alerts.

• YuJa is used to create, host, manage, and edit video and audio files.  It can also be used to store, manage, and share a large spectrum of other digital assets like images, documents, and more.

• Zoom web conferencing allows for one-on-one and group online meetings using video and/or audio.  It allows for whiteboarding, polls, groups, chat, and screen sharing.

Distance Education offers webinars for the tools listed above.  Please check the webinars schedule.  If there is no upcoming webinar scheduled for a tool you are interested in, you can view a recording from the previous session. 

Now it is time to move and/or create your course content in the online classroom. Please refer to the D2L Brightspace resources for general information about adding course content to D2L.

Course Combines

If your D2L course shell is empty, you may consider course combines and course copies.  Course combines allow faculty to manage multiple sections of a course they are teaching all in one course shell.  For example, BIOL 1010-09 and BIOL 1010-12 could be combined into one place in D2L.  Course combines must be performed prior to content being added and students having access to the course.

Request a course combine (opens new window)

Course Copies

Course copies are performed to copy content from one D2L course shell to another.  This could be copying your own course content from term to term or copying course content between faculty.  In order for content to be copied from another faculty member, they need to provide their permission via email. 

Request a course copy (opens new window)

D2L Course Template

A general D2L course template can be imported into your D2L course shell so that you do not have to start from scratch!  The template includes a getting started module and module outlines.  The getting started module contains links to student resources and place holders for all necessary course information that needs to be included in an online course.  The module outlines are designed to help you create an organized course that is easily navigated by your students. 

The getting started module is also available separately from the whole D2L course template.  If you already have an online course or are using a course copy, you can still use the getting started module to ensure you are providing complete information to your students.

Contact Distance Education Support at online@apsu.edu to request the D2L course template or getting started module (stand alone).  You will need to provide the course information (example, BIOL 1010-09 Spring 2020).

Faculty Champions

As mentioned under Step 1: Planning Your Course, faculty champions are a great resource and now is another great time to consult with them.

Accessibility deals with making your content usable by your students and is especially important for students with disabilities.  For example, if you have text pages/files in your course, students should be able to use screen readers to hear the content.  If you have videos/audio in your course, students should have access to the captioning and/or transcripts so they can read the content.  This content diversity is beneficial to all your students and gives them choices in how they access the content.  Accessibility is more than just a good idea; it is part of the Americans with Disabilities Act (opens new window).

Here are some resources to help you with course accessibility:

• Accessibility Quick Guide gives brief descriptions on how you can make seven files/activities accessible and provides other resources.

• Accessible Syllabus Training - this video series demonstrates the eight key steps to create an accessible digital syllabus for your course.  Go beyond your syllabus!  The syllabus is just a starting point.  This training can be used to make any document you create accessible.

• QM's Accessibility and Usability Resource Site (opens new window)

Communicate with Students

If online is new for you, it might be new for your students too!  Make sure you share plenty of resources with them.

A great place to start is with the D2L course template or getting started module listed under Step 3: Course Creation.  These already contain resources for your students for student success, technology, library, and more.

Another great resource for students is the Distance Education Introduction to Online Courses Guide.  You can share a link with your students in your regular communications, include it in your course syllabus, and/or add a course link directly in D2L.

 

Also, Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) is essential for fostering meaningful connections between you and your students in online courses. By implementing RSI in your courses, you enhance student engagement and ensure compliance with federal guidelines, which require consistent and instructor-initiated interactions. Learn more about RSI on the Distance Education Regular & Substantive Interaction website.

Finally, be very clear with students in your course syllabus, schedule, and announcements about expectations and behaviors for the online environment.

Here are examples you can use or use as a starting point when communicating with students:

• Example Communication Policy
• Introduction and getting started with D2L
• Getting started with Zoom and meeting expectations
• Information about free online tutoring

Communicate with Us

Distance Education provides resources for you and we love to hear what else you may need!  Make sure you reach out to Distance Education Support with your needs, questions, concerns, etc.