We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
APRIL 30, 2020
First and foremost, you’ve done an amazing job this semester. Keep up the good work!
As you approach the finish line, please remember faculty coaching is available. Coaching takes many forms and can help you plan for the end of the semester, develop Maymester and summer course offerings, or plan for the fall semester.
If you would like a consultation or coaching, contact the faculty support team at help@syr.edu. This team includes representatives from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the Center for Online and Digital Learning, and Information Technology Services. The most appropriate support personnel will respond based on your specific question(s).
Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed. In addition to our regular communications each Tuesday and Thursday, you also can refer to our archive of previous messages, subscribe to the ITS podcast and follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter for updates and tips.
Today’s topics:
- SITETL 2020 is moving online
- Reflecting on the semester
- Summer course Blackboard template
- Reminder: Checklist for your summer course
SITETL 2020 Is Moving Online
The Summer Institute for Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning (SITETL) is moving online this year and is open to all Syracuse University faculty members, instructors and teaching graduate students. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. SITETL will consist of two sessions: one general session in the morning for all participants and an afternoon session with four tracks focused on different topics.
You can register online. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Morrison at memorr02@syr.edu.
Reflecting on the Semester
Take a moment to reflect on what you learned about teaching as you finished this semester virtually. Some things to consider:
- What did I like?
- What didn’t I like?
- Who spoke up more?
- Which students did I get to know more about? How?
- What types of students did better? Worse?
- What did I do better? Worse?
By consciously considering what worked, you will be able to focus on those insights while designing and preparing classes for upcoming terms.
Summer Course Blackboard Template
To support faculty teaching summer courses, the Center for Online and Digital Learning and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence have designed a summer 2020 course template. Applying the template to your course will save you time and energy for the work that only you can do—creating learning opportunities for your students. The course template reflects best practices that support equity, diversity, inclusion and access to make our offerings available to all learners.
To see an example, please follow instructions on Answers to search for the “Summer 2020 Example Course Template” organization in Blackboard and enroll. Once inside, you’ll see announcements with more information and instructions on how to apply the template to your course.
If you would like further design support or coaching, email help@syr.edu. Someone from our team will contact you within 48 hours to support you as you create your summer course. Summer faculty also can expect to receive emails with summer-specific support information and resources beginning next week.
Reminder: Checklist for Your Summer Course
For faculty members planning their summer courses, a new checklist is available from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Guided by the goal of long-term retention, the checklist includes course objectives, assessments, assignments and weekly modules to maximize online learning during the condensed summer semester.
As always, we invite your questions, suggestions and success stories. Thank you for all you do for your students and for Syracuse University.
APRIL 28, 2020
With the end of the semester approaching, we know you have several big items to check off your to-do list in the next couple of weeks. Be sure to reflect on what you’ve already achieved this semester as well. Taking an inventory of your accomplishments will help you finish strong.
Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed. In addition to our regular communications each Tuesday and Thursday, you also can refer to our archive of previous messages, subscribe to the ITS podcast and follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter for updates and tips.
Today’s topics:
- Summer course checklist
- Summer online course development
- Submitting final grades
- Implementing accommodations to ensure accessibility
- Reminder: Tips for testing in Blackboard
- Reminder: Blackboard webinars and training on LinkedIn Learning
Summer Course Checklist
For faculty members planning their summer courses, a new checklist is available from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Guided by the goal of long-term retention, the checklist includes course objectives, assessments, assignments and weekly modules to maximize online learning during the condensed summer semester.
Summer Online Course Development
Faculty who are preparing to teach a summer course online are encouraged to utilize the online Academic Continuity Resources. Instructional design support is available for faculty who feel they need or want to seek additional resources before converting their course for online instruction. To request instructional design support, submit an email to help@syr.edu. Include the title of the course you are developing and indicate if it is a graduate or undergraduate course. An instructional designer will contact you within one business day to coordinate consultation and resource support.
Submitting Final Grades
Final grades are due May 13. You can access online grade rosters via MySlice 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about submitting grades online.
Implementing Accommodations to Ensure Accessibility
The Office of Disability Services (ODS) has shared some brief user guides and general resources about implementing accommodations. Topics include extending times for exams in Blackboard, creating accessible PDFs and more. ODS also has answered some frequently asked questions to help you support students with accommodations.
Reminder: Tips for Testing in Blackboard
Instructors considering Blackboard tests for end-of-semester evaluations can find overview information, tutorial videos and links to in-depth documentation on Answers. In addition, LinkedIn Learning has sections on creating tests, as well as deploying and grading them.
Reminder: Blackboard Webinars and Training on LinkedIn Learning
Instructors preparing for summer and fall 2020 courses might be interested in a webinar series designed for instructors who are new to Blackboard and Blackboard Collaborate. Topics include Teaching Remotely, Teaching a Face-to-Face Virtual Class, Mobile Content Creation, and Assignments and Assessments. Watch these recordings of past webinars.
You also have access to Blackboard training materials on LinkedIn Learning. In particular, we recommend Blackboard 9.x Essential Training: Instructors, which has well-organized modules on many Blackboard tools. It is helpful both for new users and for returning users looking for targeted refreshers.
As always, we invite your questions, suggestions and success stories. Thank you for all you do for your students and for Syracuse University.
APRIL 23, 2020
We hope this email finds you well. Even though it snowed in Syracuse this week, it’s not too early to think about your summer or fall courses. We have included some information about planning your next steps below. Of course, we realize your spring courses remain your top priority.
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- Summer online course development
- Online test design
- ITS accessibility workshops
- Reminder: Course feedback window open
Summer Online Course Development
Faculty who are preparing to teach a summer course online are encouraged to utilize the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit. Instructional design support is available for faculty who feel they need or want to seek additional resources before converting their course for online instruction. To request instructional design support, submit an email to help@syr.edu. Include the title of the course you are developing and indicate whether it is a graduate or undergraduate course. An instructional designer will contact you within one business day to coordinate consultation and resource support.
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This is not the semester that anyone envisioned. We realize that everyone’s situation is slightly different in terms of family, resources and more. Even so, please remember that you are not alone—we are all in this together. We look forward to helping you make the best of a challenging situation.
March 12, 2020
To support the transition to online course delivery effective at the end of the academic day on Friday, March 13, we will continue to send regular communications to ensure you have the most up-to-date information related to online teaching and learning. If you haven’t already, please bookmark the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit available at at Syracuse.edu/coronavirus/academic-continuity.
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