Try to rely on tools and workflows that are familiar to you and your students, and roll out new tools only when absolutely necessary. If a closure is caused by a local crisis, it may be already taxing everyone's mental and emotional energy; introducing a lot of new tools and approaches may leave even less energy and attention for learning.

Where possible, we strongly encourage faculty to use Google, Microsoft Office, Canvas, Zoom, Kaltura, and Yuja to deliver online content. Unlike publishers' or other applications, these applications are a) supported by WSU Online and IT, b) secure in protecting both students and institutional information as they go through Central Authentication System or (CAS) requiring duo sign-in, and c) offer reliable service. Faculty reliance on publisher's applications, in particular, are a concern because they have none of these features.

We Can Help

Contact campus support services or your college coach for additional help getting your course online.

 

Synchronous Tools (everyone online and learning together at the same time)

You can present live video at your usual class time or another agreed-upon time. This includes your entire class, small groups, or one-on-one with students.

If you've never used web conferencing tools like the ones we suggest here, check out our guide on How to Use Web Conferencing for Teaching.

Use Zoom Conferences

Use Google Meet in Canvas (NEW)

Google Hangouts and Canvas now allow quick conference linking from course Announcements, Modules, or even the Canvas Calendar. This gives faculty the ability to host a Google Hangout from Canvas, record their conferences, and add them to Google Drive.

Use Canvas Conferences (Big Blue Button)

Use Canvas Chat

If you'd like to just use text chat, use Canvas chat with students who are online at the same time as you.

Asynchronous Tools (prepared content students can interact with on their own time)

Use these tools to create content for your students.

Canvas Content

  • Canvas Announcements: Keep your students informed about your class.
  • Canvas Inbox: Use the built-in Canvas messaging system to stay in contact with your students.
  • Canvas Files: Upload files, presentations, etc. for your students to access.
  • Canvas Pages: Create content right in Canvas using text, video, links, etc.

Video Creation - Kaltura and YuJa

  • Kaltura Videos: Use “Personal Capture” screencapture software to record and edit your lectures. Students can also create videos using this software. Contact WSU IT Service Desk for Kaltura support.
  • Kaltura MediaSpace: Upload videos into your Kaltura channel to share with students or create playlists for your students.
  • Visit videos.weber.edu or search for Kaltura in the eWeber portal to access it.
  • YuJa Videos: Create videos and screen captures of lectures. Includes auto-captioning.
  • Both students and faculty have access to Kaltura and YuJa!

Use these tools to accept student assignments.

Canvas

  • Canvas Assignments: Students can submit assignments as text, documents, videos, websites, or some third-party tools (see note below).
  • Canvas Quizzes: Create low-stakes quizzes your students can take remotely. For secure testing, use Chitester and Testing Centers.
  • Canvas Discussions: Create discussion boards in which students can interact with each other.
  • Canvas Collaborations: Have students work together on assignments as a class or in small groups.
  • Gradebook: Use the Canvas Gradebook to consistently notify students of their grades. Keep in mind that for the Gradebook Totals column to be accurate, all scores for the semester must be included.

Note: When creating any content in Canvas (Assignments, Quizzes, Pages, etc.), click “Save & Publish.” If you haven’t been using your Canvas course already this semester, click “Publish” in the upper-right corner of your course homepage so students can see your Course in their Canvas account.

Home Office Equipment Available

Faculty and staff who are in need of additional home office technology can email cts@weber.edu to checkout equipment.

This includes:

  • Webcams
  • Document cameras
  • Laptops
  • Headsets
  • iPads
  • Monitors

Classroom Technology Services may have other equipment available and will be happy to assist with this.

Known System Issues and Outages

You can follow ongoing system issues and outages for many of these tools on the System Outages page in your eWeber portal.

Additional Training and Resources

Watch RC Callahan's quick demonstration of the Canvas tools we suggest plus his strategies for course delivery (18 minutes).

In this video demonstration, Kyle Peterson and RC Callahan show Zoom, Google Meet, Canvas Conferences, Google Docs, and all kinds of strategies for using them in your classes. (52 minutes)

Complete the fully online “Growing with Canvas” training to learn all about using Canvas.

Check out WSU Online’s full list of training opportunities including fully online sessions.

Read “Going Online in a Hurry” from the Chronicle of Higher Education for other ideas to keep your class going.

Monitor COVID-19 updates through WSU’s website.

Publisher Material and Third-Party App Support

WSU Online is prepared to support all course material in Canvas in a quick and efficient manner. However, if your course is utilizing third-party course material (McGraw-Hill, Pearson, Cengage, WileyPlus, VitalSource etc.) WSU Online does not have access to these third-party systems to troubleshoot issues that may arise. Below is a list of support contacts for some of the widely used vendors. If you need additional help with these systems, or are not getting the support you need in a timely fashion, we advise that you get in touch with your respective vendor representatives if you need help with any of these systems.