We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
MAY 19, 2020
With warmer temperatures finally arriving in Syracuse, we hope you’ve had some opportunities to enjoy the outdoors (whether in Syracuse or elsewhere).
If you are teaching your first online course as part of the summer session, please visit our archive of previous messages. We will continue to provide tips, updates and guidance to all faculty throughout the summer. Whatever your comfort level and experience might be, we are here to help.
Today’s topics:
- Reminder: SITETL 2020 is tomorrow
- Trauma-informed teaching practices
- Summer course checklist
- Spotlight: PlayPosit
- Recording video at home
Reminder: SITETL 2020 Is Tomorrow
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 tomorrow 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. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Morrison at memorr02@syr.edu.
Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices
Trauma-informed teaching practices are especially important now, as students might have experienced a variety of traumas as part of the COVID-19 pandemic. These new traumas could be in addition to traumas experienced earlier in their lives. Faculty also might experience trauma either directly or as compassion fatigue. As you begin building courses for the fall or operating courses during the summer, trauma-informed practices could offer some positive ways forward for you and your students.
Summer Course Checklist
For faculty members teaching or 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.
Spotlight: PlayPosit
A new tool available to Syracuse University faculty, staff and students, PlayPosit is an interactive online video tool that allows learners to explore new material at their own pace, increasing long-term retention and learning efficacy over standard video. Learn how you can enrich your video content with a variety of interactions, including multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blanks.
Recording Video at Home
When choosing video as a means to communicate, it is important to understand the different approaches that are available to you. This will allow you to select the most effective option to communicate your content. Each video also should have an objective. What is the point of the video? What will students learn? Read more about recording video content for your course.
Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed. In addition to our regular communications, you also can follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter.
Thank you for all you do for your students and for Syracuse University. Go Orange!
MAY 14, 2020
We hope your week is going well. While each instructor faces a different set of circumstances this summer, we will strive to provide information that helps you leverage technology to strengthen the courses you teach and the research you conduct. As always, we invite your questions, suggestions and success stories. We are here to help.
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- 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.
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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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