What Do I Need to Know?
In the event that you, your colleagues, or your students are unable to be on campus for class, work, or meetings, this guide will provide you with the resources and information necessary to continue conducting your job through online measures.
- Please remember to not panic and practice the recommended guidelines outlined by both the CDC and the kind words from the Dean's email:
- Plan care for yourself and your loved ones.
- Establish plans to enable your students to remain engaged and learning.
- Discuss plans with your students (before, during, and after developing your plans).
- Share your plans with Deans Office so we can support your plans.
- If you are sick or if there is a mandated quarantine and you are an employee who can effectively conduct work from home, DO NOT attempt to come to campus!
- If you are sick or there is a mandated quarantine and you are an employee who cannot effectively conduct work from home, you should receive communications from your supervisor, the Dean, or other administration regarding time away from campus. DO NOT attempt to come to campus!
- Updates on the current situation will be monitored and communicated on this website: https://www.centre.edu/coronavirus/ and also via email, CentreNet, and social media.
Update from the Centre Bookstore
Information about Attendance
What Do I Need to Have?
Think about whether you might need the following resources to be able to work from home or collaborate with colleagues or students remotely.
You may not need all of these or any of these, but it is important to consider your options before you actually need them. Click on the links below to learn more.
If you are teaching on campus and need to connect students remotely into your class, it's helpful to know which classrooms are already equipped with webcams. All classroom computers on campus should already have Zoom installed.
The list of classrooms with webcams installed in the front of the room:
- Crounse 301, 302, 313, 315, 316, 401, 405, 468
- Young 101, 102, 110, 111, 112, 114, 139, 201, 213, 231, 245, 246
- Sutcliffe 329, 330
- JVAC 201
- Grant 401, 402, 403
Several classrooms may already have an extra webcam/tripod/extension USB for lecture/presentation recording.
These classrooms already have an additional webcam/tripod setup:
Young 101,110, 111,112
If you need an additional webcam/tripod/extension USB for lecture capture or presentation recording, please contact the CTL or reserve one online here.
What Do I Need to Do?
Below are some general resources for conducting remote instruction and/or working remotely. Click on the links below for more information.
These are general recommendations or options. For specific recommendations for your area of expertise, refer to the Faculty, Staff, or Student sections.
Zoom allows you to create synchronous sessions for classroom simulations or meetings in real-time. It also allows you to record sessions to create asynchronous sessions to be linked on Moodle, OneDrive, etc.
Additional Information
Remember to check your email frequently during this time for communications from college officials.
Also provided here are quick hit resources for help and documentation that you may find useful:
Faculty
Instructional Continuity - How to conduct your class online
There are a variety of technologies that can be used to conduct classes online. When considering which technologies you want to use, it's important to select technologies that you are the most comfortable with, instead of trying to learn something new. For example. if you are familiar with adding files in Moodle instead of OneDrive, we recommend you use Moodle.
NEW!! ZOOM Resources for Faculty
Zoom's Covid-19 Support Page
Scenario 3: The college decides to operate remotely (including students and faculty)
Having files stored in the campus-supported environments is essential. Also important to consider:
- Students would not have access to applications loaded on college computers (i.e. Stata, Adobe, lab software, etc.) Determine if there are any alternative solutions for the time period they will be working remotely.
- Consider alternatives for Laboratory work. Are there virtual labs available or other alternatives? See Alternate Laboratory options.
- Remember that when students move off-campus you will need to factor in time zones and students with limited bandwidth at the new location.
Course Design and Pedagogy
NEW!! Guidance for Pass/Fail Grading
RESOURCE GUIDE ON STUDENT MOTIVATION, ENGAGEMENT AND WORKLOAD
Amherst's strategies for working with students
Resources for Universal Design for Learning
- Webinar | Universal Design for Learning to Support Remote Learning (Slides)
- UDL Resources Website
- Closed Captioning Resources:
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR TEACHING OUR STUDENTS NOW
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SCANNING PDFS AND UDL (STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY)
Webinar for Faculty "Managing Stress During Distance Learning: How Faculty Can Support Their Student" by Jed Institution
- Coping with Coronavirus: How Faculty members can support students in traumatic times (PDF)
- Managing Stress During Distance Learning: How Faculty Can Support Their Students (PPT)
You know what students need to learn. How do you lead them there online?
Lee Ann Dickerson's research-based guide
Link to Lee Ann Dickerson's Presentation - Online Course Design March 25
Trauma-Informed Pedagogy Webinar - Mays Imad
Syllabus Template
Making Content Available to Students
NEW!! NETFLIX OFFERINGS DURING COVID19
NEW!! 50 FREE HIGHER ED RESOURCES DURING COVID19
NEW!! Best Practices for Sharing Large Files
NEW!! INFORMATION ON CAMPUS LAB SOFTWARE
Update from the Centre Bookstore
Provide content to your students online (handouts, readings, multimedia)
Moodle is an excellent resource for hosting content. One central location where students can find all materials for the class can minimize confusion when trying to find materials, assignments, and notes. If the college is operating remotely, this can be an excellent method of connecting with students and enabling them to continue to access course materials.
Sharing files/folders with OneDrive
This handout shows you how to create a shared folder in OneDrive and will allow you and your students to share documents, collaborate, and continue working on content despite the physical classroom environment. If you prefer not to use Moodle, OneDrive can serve as an alternate solution for disseminating information and collaborating with students and colleagues.
Using Google Apps to share content with students
Access Google apps through CentreNet or (docs.centre.edu) if you prefer to share and collaborate with students and colleagues through alternate methods.
While Centre has Google Apps for Education, the ITS Helpdesk will not be able to provide support for issues with Google Apps.
Combining PDFs into One Document
Helpful Moodle Modules for Engagement
NEW!! Monitoring Student Engagement in Moodle
Using Moodle's discussion forum for class discussions
Moodle forums allow online discourse to continue despite the physical classroom environment. When operating from an entirely remote environment, discussion threads can serve as a method of bridging the gap and keeping students engaged in the course content.Use Moodle's blog feature for class discussions
Moodle blogs enables both group discussions (group blog) and individual reflections (individual blogs), dependent on the blog settings. When operating remotely, this can be a great way to keep students engaged, either with each other or to continue reflecting on their own work through reflective writing assignments.
Setup online paper submissions
Submitting assignments online is something most students are accustomed to. Creating a method for students to continue to submit homework or written (and oral - see Poodll) submissions can minimize stress for you as the instructor as well as the students. It also will help minimize excessive emails.
**Another option here is to have students use their phones to scan and submit written homework (especially helpful for Mathematical, Numeric, or non-written work) to Moodle.
Setup online problem sets and quizzes
Moodle quizzes can be a great way to test students online or simply gather low-stakes feedback on reading assignments or understanding of content. As midterms are approaching, this could become a necessary method of assessment if we are unable to meet in a physical class environment.
Notes on Exams and Assessment in Moodle
Recording Content
NEW!! How to Shoot a Video
NEW!! Use WeVideo to Create Videos
Screen capturing Ideas
Screen-cast-o-matic is another tool Centre's Center for Teaching and Learning uses to create screen casts and documentation. It's a free tool (up to 15 minutes) and really east to use. You can edit within a browser or download the software your computer. If you paid for the deluxe version ($1.65/mth) you get the built in editing tools which are really helpful, so you don't have to worry what computer platform you are on or learning to use another software program.
NEW!! Zoom HOW TO Video
Click the Link below for a HOW TO video on Zoom.
(and please ignore my disheveled appearance and any snoring dogs in the background)
Recording Narration over PowerPoint
Using OBS to Record Your Screen, PPT, and Microphone
Uploading Recorded Videos to Ensemble/Link to Moodle
Connecting Synchronously
NEW!! Zoom Resources for Faculty
NEW!! HOW TO AVOID THE ZOOM BOMB
NEW - Send this to Students to Setup Zoom Accounts
Using Zoom to connect with your students and colleagues
In the event that all connections are remote, we suggest setting up Zoom sessions to connect with students and colleagues for limited and specific purposes. Each student or member of your group can individually connect to the meeting from their own device to the meeting. **You can hold a 40-minute group meeting with up to 300 participants without having a Pro license. You may consider limiting the "live" portion if possible, using Moodle Forums, Blogs, or OneDrive document sharing for remaining time.
You can also choose to Record Zoom sessions/lectures and post links for students to watch in OneDrive, YouTube, or Moodle (via Ensemble).
**Reminder: using Zoom to recreate the classroom experience is NOT recommended, nor effective. This will not be feasible given a campus-wide remote operation scenario. Consider using Zoom conservatively and more for asynchronous lecture capture and purposeful, synchronous meetings as necessary.
Hold virtual office hours
Zoom meetings are an excellent method of conducting office hours virtually for students who can't be physically present to meet with you. Simply follow the steps to start a meeting and post the link or Meeting ID in Moodle or send through email to your students.
Using Slack to Communicate with Classmates and Colleagues
This is a handout in getting started with using Slack to communicate with classmates and/or colleagues. Slack can be used for small group discussions, chatting, and sharing files.
Link to this resource on CTL's website.
Using Microsoft Teams to Connect, Share, and Chat
Use Whatsapp for small group discussions
Whatsapp allows students to create group chats where they can send and listen to short recordings using their cell phones. Small groups of students could create a group chat that includes the professor, and then use the recording feature to have a conversation with each other. The professor can listen to the conversation and then record feedback. Students might already be familiar with Whatsapp, or they could easily download the app and share contact information to create small groups. This could help language and other faculty work around learning curve and bandwidth issues to facilitate student interaction. Download Whatspp on your mobile device or computer | FAQ for using Whatsapp
Use the Remind App
Another idea to communicate with your students without giving them your phone number, is to use the Remind app. This is used a lot in K-12 but it can be use with any groups. Check out the information here: https://www.remind.com/
Use the Discord App
Classroom Assessment Tools
Staff
Instructional Continuity - Working remotely
There are a variety of technologies that can be used to work remotely. When considering which technologies you want to use, it's important to select technologies that you are the most comfortable with, instead of trying to learn something new. For example. if you are familiar with adding files in OneDrive, instead of Google Drive, we recommend you using OneDrive. Similarly, if you have never used Moodle, now is not the time to learn. Stick with what you know.
Scenario: You are isolated at home but able to work remotely
Login to Centre's OneDrive/Office 365 - Centre's recommended platform for sharing and storing files. You can access OneDrive/Office 365 through CentreNet or through the desktop and mobile apps. For assistance with making sure OneDrive is set-up correctly on your office computer, please submit a helpdesk ticket via helpdesk@centre.edu.
Sharing files/folders with OneDrive - Centre's recommended and preferred method for storing and sharing files. If you need assistance on learning how to share files/folders, please check out the handout or contact the CTL for additional training.
Working with Microsoft Teams support page - Needing to collaborate with your department? Consider using Microsoft Teams which will allow you to chat, share files, and screen share with your group. When you login to OneDrive/Office 365 through CentreNet, you can use the online version. There is also a desktop and mobile version.
Creating an Online Platform for Collaboration in Moodle
Login to Centre's Google Apps - While we have Centre Google Apps for Education, the ITS helpdesk will not be able to provide support for issues with Google Apps.
Accessing files located on your U drive - using File Centre through CentreNet will allow you to access files located on your U drive. You would have to download and re-upload the files you are working on, so consider copying files into OneDrive, which will allow you to work directly with your files. If you need assistance with copying your files, please contact ITS or CTL for assistance.
Using Zoom to connect with your colleagues
Students
In the event that you or your professors are sick or have been placed in a mandatory quarantine, your professors should communicate with you methods of engaging with your courses remotely. Some of the methods might include:
- Using Zoom to connect to the classroom
- Connecting with your professors through Zoom for Virtual Office Hours
- Uploading assignments via Moodle
- Uploading assignments or homework to OneDrive
- Uploading assignments or homework to Google Drive
Please contact your professors for additional information on the methods they plan to employ should this situation arise and their expectations for you.
If you are unfamiliar with any of these applications, please contact ITS or the CTL for information on getting started with these, or refer to our online documentation on our website:
NEW!!- SETUP YOUR ZOOM ACCOUNT THROUGH CENTRE
Strategies for Remote Learning Success
**If the entire college is operating remotely, you will be given similar and necessary instructions from your professors on how to connect with and continue to engage in classes remotely.