Beginning of Semester Prep

Resources to help you transition to remote instruction.

These resources were selected by the Digital Learning Team, but you are also encouraged to contact us for additional support.

Transitioning your face-to-face course to online starts with a plan. During the planning phase, it is important to assess your current situation, establish reasonable expectations for success and determine the set of actions to continue offering quality instruction. It is imperative to develop an understanding of the available teaching tools and resources to effectively deliver remote instruction.

Planning Considerations:

Your proficiency with the relevant instructional technologies.
The structure of your course.
The requirements of your material or your discipline.
Student Minimum Technology Requirements

The particular needs of your students.
The assignments and assessments typically used in the course.
The limits caused by timelines and scalability.
Download the Remote Teaching Plan to assist with your transition.

Establish Communication with Students
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Determine how you will communicate your plan of action to students. Be prepared to answer student inquiries about participating remotely in the live face-to-face class or in the online delivery of the class for a specified period of time. Reassure the students that you are committed to working with them, but also set clear and reasonable expectations about their responsibilities.

Office Hours
- How and when will you meet with your students?
  - Hold synchronous online office hours using Video Conferencing.
Communicate with the class
- Will you use email, announcements or a combination of both to communicate with students?
- How often will you send out communications?
Communication Tools
- Canvas Announcements
- Canvas Inbox
- Canvas Discussions
- FGCU Email
Sample Letter to Students:

Dear FGCU Students,

As you know, FGCU Campus will be closed (dates). While we wait for the campus to be safe for our return, we will continue with our coursework online. I will communicate important information with you through announcements and email. Please set your notifications so you will get this information ASAP.

To begin, please navigate to the "Modules" link found in the navigation list to the left of this narrative.

My main concern is for your safety and that your education not be interrupted by this campus closing. If you have any questions or concerns, please email me (email).

Stay safe,

(your name here)
Contact Your Department
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Many academic departments have specific needs related to the discipline. Please check with your department chair and colleagues about any requirements or expectations related to remote instruction.

Questions to discuss within your department
- Has your department decided to utilize a specific format (synchronous or asynchronous) for online remote instruction?
- Does your department require use of certain technology platforms?
- What if I cannot facilitate the course? Are there colleagues who could be available to guest lecture for me, or assist with class delivery should I have to teach remotely?
- What if a significant proportion (20-40%) of the class is out for an extended period of time?
- How will I modify the grading process?
- How will I communicate this to students?
Identify Your Approach: Synchronous vs Asynchronous
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- Synchronous refers to learning in which the instructor and learners are interacting in real time. Obviously, a face-to-face course is synchronous, but there are synchronous online courses as well, in which the class will meet through live chat or through video conferencing.
- Asynchronous refers to learning in which the instructor and learners do not meet in real time. Resources and activities are accessed and completed online when it is convenient for the individual who is taking the course.
Although students benefit from consistency, your course delivery method can include elements of both synchronous and asynchronous.
Prepare to Use Canvas, Kaltura and other Remote Teaching Tools
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Canvas

If you are new to teaching in Canvas or would like to improve your knowledge, we recommend that you spend some time to learn about or review the essential resources and features. Whether you are choosing to deliver your instruction synchronously or asynchronously, the following information is helpful to get started with Canvas.
- Getting Started with Canvas
- Course Basics Video (54:51)
- Set Up Your Canvas Course in 30 minutes or Less Video (26:32)
Kaltura

Kaltura is FGCU's Video Management platform. Kaltura is used to both record and share lectures and screencasts. There is a bit of a learning curve, but it is worth the effort. Kaltura automatically generates captions and is housed in a secure server. FGCU also supports Kaltura so you can get help troubleshooting and using the software.
- Visit the Kaltura Tutorials to learn more.
VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOLS
- Visit Video Conferencing Tools for the Classroom

While developing course content and activities, be mindful not to create too much "busy work" for your students. Instead strive for impactful activities and meaningful engagement.

Course Content
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Upload your syllabus and relevant course materials to Canvas.
Prepare for Synchronous Course Delivery
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Faculty can continue to deliver a virtual experience like the one planned for on-campus instruction. These experiences can be facilitated using one or more synchronous platforms available for use at FGCU. We encourage faculty to contact an Instructional Designer to discuss specific ideas for engaging students via breakout rooms, polling tools, and whiteboards. We are also available for practice sessions in several of these virtual delivery platforms.
- Video Conferencing for the Classroom
Develop Asynchronous Course Materials
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You may choose to disseminate course content to students through Canvas. This could include newly recorded video lectures, simulations, external videos, PowerPoint's, or handouts. There are many options for uploading and creating course materials for remote delivery.

Pre-recorded Lectures

Record and upload a lecture from your office or home using Kaltura, PowerPoint, and/or Conferences.
- Engaging Students with a Pre-recorded Lecture
Kaltura
- Visit the Kaltura Tutorials.
PowerPoint

Create a narrated PowerPoint presentation and post it to your Canvas course.
- How to Narrate your PPTX Video (2:27)
- How to Save your PPTX as a Video (1:23)
- How to Post your Narrated PPTX to Canvas Video (4:45)
- How Students Download and View Narrated PPTX Video (4:01)
Video Conferencing

Video conferencing tools are primarily used for synchronous lectures, however with the record feature enabled you can create recorded lectures. Please note that once you have recorded your lecture, you will need to download the mp4 file, then upload it to Kaltura to add captions to the video.
- Visit Video Conferencing Tools for the Classroom
Assignments and Assessments
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Faculty often implement various types of assessments during the semester. The resources on this page elaborate on how to successfully transition several common types of assignments and assessments to a remote, online format. We encourage faculty to contact an Instructional Designer to discuss specific ideas or to brainstorm other possibilities if these options will not work for your courses.

Canvas Quizzes and Exams
Respondus Test Generator

Respondus Test Generator is a powerful tool for authoring and publishing exams or question banks in Canvas.
- Creating and Formatting Questions in Respondus (4:36)
- Importing Questions with Respondus (2:44)
- Learn more about Respondus Test Generator.
Virtual Presentations
- How to Conduct Virtual Presentations with Students Video (12:08)
- How to Embed PowerPoint Presentations to Save Space in Canvas
Recommended Resources for Your Students:
- How to Narrate Your PowerPoint (with closed captions Mac/PC)
- How to Save your PPTX as a Video (1:23)
- How to Add an External link to a Discussion Forum
- How to Record and Submit a Video in Canvas (i.e. performance)
- How to Use Canvas BigBlueButton
Microsoft Teams
Online Written Papers
How to Use Turnitin Feedback Studio for a Canvas Assignment
Useful Canvas Tools for Assessment
Academic Integrity
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LOCKDOWN BROWSER

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system.
- What is Respondus Lockdown Browser
- How to Use the Canvas Quiz Tool and Respondus (23:00)
ONLINE PROCTORING WITH RESPONDUS MONITOR

Respondus Monitor builds upon the power of LockDown Browser, using a student’s webcam and industry-leading video analytics to prevent cheating during non-proctored exam.
TURNITIN

Identify unoriginal content with the world’s most effective plagiarism detection solution.

Faculty can continue to deliver a virtual experience like the one planned for on-campus instruction. These experiences can be facilitated using one or more synchronous platforms available for use at FGCU. We encourage faculty to contact an Instructional Designer to discuss specific ideas for engaging students via breakout rooms, polling tools, and whiteboards. We are also available for practice sessions in several of these virtual delivery platforms.

Deliver Live Lectures and Activities (Synchronous)
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Ensure students feel fully included in your class.
- Best Practices and Tips for Synchronous Sessions (PDF)
video conferencing
- Visit Video Conferencing Tools for the Classroom
Maintain Communication with Students
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Communication Tools
- Canvas Announcements
- Canvas Inbox
- Canvas Discussions
- FGCU Email
- MS Teams
  - MS Teams for live meetings with students with audio bridge option.

It is the end of the semester! We encourage you to develop opportunities for students to provide feedback on their experiences in the course.

Student Perception of Instruction (SPoI)
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Looking for student or staff support?

We're here to help.

If you need teaching or pedagogical help, contact your instructional designer. If you need technical help with keeping your class running, contact ITS