We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
MAY 21, 2020
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Zoom for the 2020 Summer Institute for Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning yesterday. More than 200 faculty members from across campus took advantage of the opportunity to learn how to incorporate technology in their teaching. Just as important, attendees shared their experiences, discussed challenges and suggested solutions. We are proud to serve such a dedicated and talented community of educators.
Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed throughout the summer. In addition to our regular communications each Tuesday and Thursday, you also can refer to our archive of previous messages and follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter for updates and tips.
Today’s topics:
- Reminder: Developing online courses
- Creating accessible and inclusive online content
- Academic integrity in an online environment
Reminder: Developing Online Courses
Faculty who are teaching or preparing to teach a course online are encouraged to utilize the online Academic Continuity Resources. Instructional design support and faculty coaching also are available. 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).
Self-service resources available include:
- A new checklist 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.
- A Blackboard summer course template from the Center for Online and Digital Learning and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Applying the template to your course will save you time and energy. Please follow these instructions to search for the “Summer 2020 Example Course Template” Blackboard Organization and enroll. Once inside, you’ll see announcements with more information and instructions on how to apply it to your course.
- Scaffolding tips to help you build your assignments. This method also works well for courses as a whole.
- Ideas for creating a sense of community in the online classroom.
Creating Accessible and Inclusive Online Content
Did you know that today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day? To help you create inclusive online content, visit our Accessible Technology Toolkit on Answers and Blackboard’s free Accessibility Checklist. With the shift to online instruction, delivering content that is inclusively designed and accessible is essential. Blackboard Ally is included in our learning management system and enables us to build a more inclusive online learning environment.
Academic Integrity in an Online Environment
Transitioning a face-to-face course to an online environment is challenging, especially when exams and quizzes are involved. Tests designed for traditional classrooms might not work well online, particularly when it comes to academic integrity. Given these differences between online and face-to-face learning, you might consider changing your course assessment instruments.
Thank you for all you do for your students and for Syracuse University. Go Orange!
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).
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With the heightened emphasis on Blackboard and Blackboard Collaborate, it is important to consider the desired outcome for a given lesson and whether a live web conference is necessary to achieve it. Web conferencing can pose challenges such as coordinating students in different time zones, bandwidth issues and more. When possible, consider using tools such as pre-recorded 15-minute audio lectures, discussion boards and group forums. For more ideas, read this blog on videoconferencing alternatives and our own iSchool’s helpful matrix of online interaction methods (both asynchronous and synchronous).
Creating Accessible and Inclusive Online Content
To help you create inclusive online content, visit our Accessible Technology Toolkit on Answers and Blackboard’s free Accessibility Checklist. As we shift to online instruction, delivering content that is inclusively designed and accessible is essential. Blackboard Ally is included in our learning management system and enables us to build a more inclusive online learning environment.
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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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