We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
File Management Tools
Keeping track of your documents can be a challenge when you work on multiple devices at home and in the office. If you haven’t already done so, learn about your file management and sharing options now to prevent losses later:
- OneDrive—All instructors have an Office 365 account that includes Microsoft OneDrive. Visit the OneDrive login page using your campus email address as your username. You can find additional details on the Microsoft OneDrive Answers page.
- Google Drive—All instructors have a Google G Suite account that includes Google Drive access. To learn more, visit the Logging into G Suite page.
- Campus H: Drive—The H: Drive is a personal network drive available throughout campus in labs and office locations where you log into your campus Windows profile. You can connect remotely to campus drives on Windows and on macOS.
- Campus G: Drive—The G: Drive, also available throughout campus in labs and office locations, is a shared drive managed by your administrative department or school or college. To access your G: drive remotely, connect to your office desktop using a remote desktop solution or contact your academic or administrative support personnel for additional options.
Please remember the faculty support team is here to help you take advantage of technology and to strengthen your teaching. You can send your questions to help@syr.edu.
For additional ideas and support, we recommend these learning opportunities:
- Teaching and Technology Tuesdays (Tuesdays at noon ET; resumes in October)
- Faculty Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Workshop Series (asynchronous):
- Identifying and Reducing Implicit Bias in Pedagogical Decision-Making
- Establishing Civility and Positive Climate in Your Teaching Environment
- Problematizing Identity and Intersectionality on the College Campus
- Transparent Teaching: An Evidence-Based Inclusive Practice
- Navigating Challenges of Diversity in the Classroom
We look forward to hearing from you!
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
Accessible Teaching and Learning Technology
As you might know, the Disability External Review Committee recently presented Phase One Recommendations after an extensive review of the University. The campus teaching and technology community is committed to supporting our disability community, as shown by our focus on providing accessible technology that enables participation by the greatest number of students, faculty and staff possible, including those with disabilities.
Here are three key accessibility resources that support teaching and learning:
- Blackboard Ally enhances the usability and accessibility of documents uploaded to Blackboard. While Ally was designed to improve access to course materials for students with disabilities, many students prefer the audio format (MP3) for longer documents.
- Read&Write helps all individuals succeed regardless of ability or learning style. Users can access reading, writing, studying and research tools at school, home or work. Read&Write is especially helpful for those who have difficulty reading and writing, international students, first-generation college students and student-athletes trying to balance the demands of sports with their course work. Learn more.
- EquatIO helps make equations, formulas and graphs accessible. Users can type, write, dictate or copy any expression and convert it to an accessible format suitable for use in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. EquatIO includes handwriting recognition and integrates seamlessly with Read&Write.
To learn more, you can contact the Technology Accessibility office at accessibleIT@syr.edu. You also can send questions about teaching and technology to help@syr.edu.
For additional ideas and support, we recommend these learning opportunities:
- Teaching and Technology Tuesdays (Tuesdays at noon ET)
- Faculty Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Workshop Series (asynchronous):
- Identifying and Reducing Implicit Bias in Pedagogical Decision-Making
- Establishing Civility and Positive Climate in Your Teaching Environment
- Problematizing Identity and Intersectionality on the College Campus
- Transparent Teaching: An Evidence-Based Inclusive Practice
- Navigating Challenges of Diversity in the Classroom
We look forward to hearing from you!
SEPTEMBER 17, 2020
We Want to Hear From You
Over the last few months, the faculty support team has worked with hundreds of instructors to answer their questions about teaching with technology. These discussions have run the gamut from basic to complex.
Based on our interactions, we recently published a collection of online teaching and learning FAQ on the Online Success Toolkit. Topics discussed include Blackboard, Zoom and Kaltura. Some examples:
- Zoom says I am not authorized to view a recording. What do I do?
- What’s the difference between Kaltura and Zoom Video Recording?
- How do I create pre-assigned breakout rooms in Zoom?
- How long does it take for my video to be ready in Kaltura?
Now it’s your turn. What questions do you have? What has been working well? What still gives you trouble? What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? Whether you have questions or suggestions about tests and exams, keeping students engaged, taking attendance or technical instructions, we want to hear from you. Please send your feedback to help@syr.edu to help us develop future FAQ, “Teaching Tips” emails and more. Remember: If you have a question, somebody else probably has the same one. It always helps to ask!
For additional ideas and support, we encourage you to take advantage of these online coaching and consultation opportunities:
- Teaching and Technology Tuesdays (Tuesdays at noon ET)
- Faculty Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Workshop Series (asynchronous):
- Identifying and Reducing Implicit Bias in Pedagogical Decision-Making
- Establishing Civility and Positive Climate in Your Teaching Environment
- Problematizing Identity and Intersectionality on the College Campus
- Transparent Teaching: An Evidence-Based Inclusive Practice
- Navigating Challenges of Diversity in the Classroom
We look forward to hearing from you!
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020
Assessing Student Learning in Hybrid or Online Classes
As the fourth week of the semester unfolds, we recognize and appreciate the time, energy and care you have invested in your students. This semester has stretched all of us beyond our comfort zones. Whether your experience has been smooth or bumpy, you have made a difference for your students and for Syracuse University. Thank you.
With midterms approaching, you likely are considering ways to assess your students’ learning. Please remember the faculty support team is ready to help you in this process. Comprising experts from Information Technology Services, the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, and the Center for Online and Digital Learning, the faculty support team is ready to help you decide which assignments, assessments, quizzes or tests are right for your course. You can contact the faculty support team by emailing help@syr.edu.
Also, Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment (IEA) exam scoring services remain available for instructors who are on campus and using Scantron forms to administer exams. The drop-off and pick-up procedures have been updated for the Fall 2020 semester. All exams are now submitted using the secure IEA drop box located directly outside the front entrance to the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center. To learn more about exam scoring services and updated policies and procedures, visit the IEA website. If you have any questions, contact IEA at examscoring@syr.edu.
You can learn more about teaching and technology by visiting the Online Success Toolkit. We also encourage you to take advantage of these online coaching and consultation opportunities:
- Teaching and Technology Tuesdays (Tuesdays at noon ET)
- Faculty Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Workshop Series (asynchronous):
- Identifying and Reducing Implicit Bias in Pedagogical Decision-Making
- Establishing Civility and Positive Climate in Your Teaching Environment
- Problematizing Identity and Intersectionality on the College Campus
- Transparent Teaching: An Evidence-Based Inclusive Practice
- Navigating Challenges of Diversity in the Classroom
We look forward to working with you.
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
Promoting Academic Integrity
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We look forward to working with you.
JULY 21, 2020
There Is Still Time to Sign Up for Fall Course Transition Services
With the semester a month away, we encourage you to take advantage of the Fall Course Transition Services available until Aug. 3 through Syracuse University’s partnership with Blackboard. As a refresher:
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We look forward to working with you.
JULY 9, 2020
Four Steps to Jump-Starting Your Fall Course Transition
With the start of the fall semester less than seven weeks away, we wanted to share four steps to getting started with the Fall Course Transition Services available through Syracuse University’s partnership with Blackboard:
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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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