We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
| Table of Contents |
|---|
...
We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
OCTOBER 15, 2020
Resources to Support Instructors
Whether you need help preparing for the spring, engaging your students online or conducting research, the faculty support team is here for you. We summarize a selection of available resources below.
Spring Course Transition Services
All instructors teaching this spring are highly encouraged to use the University’s suite of Spring Course Transition Services offered by the Center for Online and Digital Learning, Information Technology Services and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Regardless of the modality in which you will teach, we can help you plan for a successful spring semester now. Complete the brief Spring Course Development Form to get started.
Online Success Toolkit
The Online Success Toolkit is a one-stop shop to support online teaching and learning. Available materials for faculty include course preparation guides, resources for supporting students and information regarding upcoming training and consultation opportunities. We continue to update the toolkit with new resources and information, including tips for a mid-semester refresh.
Research Computing Support
Do you need more computing power to move your academic work forward? Attend the Research Computing Series to learn how you can leverage Syracuse University’s advanced computing resources. This semester’s sessions include presentations from Britton Plourde, professor of physics, and the Research Computing team. Learn more.
Contact Us
If you have questions about technology, testing or any other teaching-related topics, you can send them to help@syr.edu.
We look forward to hearing from you.
OCTOBER 13, 2020
Securing Your Zoom Meetings
While Zoom has updated which features are turned on or off by default to help combat “Zoombombing,” it’s important to review your settings prior to your meetings. Specific meeting settings to avoid malicious activity include:
- Automatically generate a Meeting ID
- Require a meeting password
- Enable the waiting room feature
- Disable “Join Before Host”
- Limit screen sharing to the host
- Lock the meeting
You can learn more about these and other recommendations on the Securing Zoom Meetings page on Answers.
Please also remember that Zoom meetings are only as secure as the email used to send the invitation. Remind students not to forward links to your meetings. Organizers of highly sensitive meetings also might choose to verify (by voice or video) that attendees are who they expect them to be before allowing them to join.
No Google, No Guessing: Designing Authentic Assessments
Transitioning to mixed-delivery instruction is a challenge, and designing assessments for student work can be even more challenging for mixed-delivery and online formats than for face-to-face instruction. For the next Focus on Teaching and Learning Workshop (Oct. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom), Assistant Professor of Chemistry Jonathon French and Associate Professor of Biology Jason Wiles will discuss how they have developed and deployed authentic assessments for students and have found ways to encourage strong performances and academic honesty. You can register online.
Spring Course Transition Services
All instructors teaching this spring are highly encouraged to use the University’s suite of Spring Course Transition Services offered by the Center for Online and Digital Learning, Information Technology Services and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Regardless of the modality in which you will teach, we can help you plan for a successful spring semester now. Complete the brief Spring Course Development Form to get started.
We’re Here to Help
Whether you have questions about technology, testing or any other teaching-related topics, the faculty support team is here for you. You can send your questions to help@syr.edu.
We look forward to hearing from you!
OCTOBER 8, 2020
Zoom Cloud Recordings
Beginning Oct. 21, 2020, Zoom at Syracuse University cloud recordings that are more than 120 days old will move to the Zoom “Trash” for 30 days before being permanently deleted. For longer-term storage, you can upload recordings to Kaltura MediaSpace. Please note that all Zoom meetings recorded to the cloud after Aug. 10, 2020, have been and will continue to be copied to Kaltura automatically.
You can view and manage your Zoom cloud recording(s), including the option to download them, recover them or delete them, by visiting our Managing Zoom Cloud Recordings page. To ensure you retain cloud recordings you want to keep, please read this quick blog post, which provides instructions based on the age of your recordings.
Spring Course Transition Services
All instructors teaching this spring are highly encouraged to use the University’s suite of Spring Course Transition Services offered by the Center for Online and Digital Learning, Information Technology Services and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Regardless of the modality in which you will teach, we can help you plan for a successful spring semester now. Complete the brief Spring Course Development Form to get started.
We’re Here to Help
Whether you have questions about technology, testing or any other teaching-related topics, the faculty support team is here for you. You can send your questions to help@syr.edu.
We look forward to hearing from you!
OCTOBER 6, 2020
CLASS and Academic Integrity
Launched in 2017, the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) works with instructors to promote understanding of Syracuse University’s academic integrity policy. CLASS staff create online resources for classroom use, join faculty in making academic integrity presentations in schools and colleges, and are available for consultation about academic integrity cases and questions.
Available online resources include:
- Promoting Academic Integrity at an Uncertain Time—Advice for Instructors
- Ideas for Engaging Students in Discussion
- Academic Integrity Case Studies
- Exercises for Teaching Use of Sources
- Academic Success and Integrity PowerPoint Materials for Faculty Use in Their Courses
If you have questions about academic integrity, you can email AIO@syr.edu or call 315.443.5412.
Spring Course Transition Services
All instructors teaching this spring are highly encouraged to use the University’s suite of Spring Course Transition Services offered by the Center for Online and Digital Learning, Information Technology Services and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Regardless of the modality in which you will teach, we can help you plan for a successful spring semester now. Complete the brief Spring Course Development Form to get started.
We’re Here to Help
Whether you have questions about technology, testing or any other teaching-related topics, the faculty support team is here for you. You can send your questions to help@syr.edu.
We look forward to hearing from you!
OCTOBER 1, 2020
Spring Course Transition Services
Earlier this week, Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost John Liu shared important dates and guidelines for choosing spring 2021 teaching modalities. We would like to offer assistance as you plan your spring 2021 courses.
All instructors teaching this spring are highly encouraged to use the University’s suite of Spring Course Transition Services offered by the Center for Online and Digital Learning, Information Technology Services, and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. Regardless of the modality in which you will teach, we can help you plan for a successful spring semester now. Complete the brief Spring Course Development Form to get started.
Of course, we recognize you still have plenty to accomplish this semester. We want to help with that too. Whether you have questions about technology, testing or any other teaching-related topics, the faculty support team is here for you. You can send your questions to help@syr.edu.
The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence also is offering mid-semester analyses for online courses. At your request, a faculty developer will collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from students in your online course. You will receive the data in combined form, along with an analysis and research-based, actionable steps that can improve learning outcomes for students by the end of the semester and promote continuous improvement of teaching. Register here and a faculty developer will contact you.
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 29, 2020
What Do Midterms Look Like?
As we approach midterms, keep in mind that you do not necessarily need to have a traditional exam if your students can demonstrate they have met your course outcomes in other ways. Consider these ideas for assessments to replace a traditional exam. You also can ask your students for their suggestions on potential assignments and assessments.
Instructors considering Blackboard tests for 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.
It also is important to remember that there might be significant variability in your students’ resources and environments depending on where they will take your test (i.e., online vs. in a classroom). Contact the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence for assistance in developing effective, efficient and equitable assessments that promote academic integrity.
Please remember the faculty support team is here year-round 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 Oct. 6)
- 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 24, 2020
File Management Tools
...
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.
...
Group Training Sessions—The faculty support team offers a range of training sessions covering such topics as teaching with technology, Zoom, Kaltura and PlayPosit.
Online Success Toolkit
Earlier this summer, we created the Online Success Toolkit as a one-stop shop to support online teaching and learning. Available materials for faculty include course preparation guides, resources for supporting students and information regarding upcoming training and consultation opportunities. We continue to update the toolkit with new resources and information.
...
Fall Course Transition Services are available until Aug. 3 through Syracuse University’s partnership with Blackboard. To preview the Syracuse University-specific Fall 2020 Blackboard course template, email help@syr.edu with either Course Name: Syracuse University Course Template—Fall 2020 or Course ID: sutemplate.fall2020 in the subject line. Remember: You don’t need to have a semester’s worth of content ready—only the course alignment (from syllabus through assessments, assignments and activities) and the first two weeks of materials. Once you finalize your syllabus and prepare your initial content, contact Blackboard Transition Services using the Course Is Ready for Transition Form.
Online Success Toolkit
The Online Success Toolkit also is available to support online teaching and learning. Available materials for faculty include course preparation guides, resources for supporting students and information regarding upcoming training and consultation opportunities. We will continue to update the toolkit throughout the summer and during the semester as appropriate.
...
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:
...
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:
...
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.
...