Moving Courses to Remote Delivery

Content

Moving Courses to Remote Delivery

Important steps:

  1. Develop a communication plan: Determine how you will contact your students. Choose one method (Course distribution lists, Canvas email, Canvas Announcements, or Remind.com) and remain consistent. Consider sending them our GCC Student Tips for Learning Remotely (pdf).
  2. Look at course outcomes and review your current syllabus and assignments: It may be necessary to review your current assignments and make changes and adjustments based on teaching remotely while still covering the course outcomes. Simplify where possible.
  3. Assess the current situation: Evaluate your comfort with the different options for teaching remotely. Do what is easiest, comfortable, and still covers the course content. Contact the CTLE for help deciding what remote teaching methods would work best for you.
  4. Focus on good enough: We will be online for the rest of the semester, so look for ways to make changes that aren’t too overwhelming to you or your students. It is important to meet the course competencies, but don’t put too much extra pressure on you or your students. Borrow what you can, create what you need, and ask for help.

Quick ways to move your current teaching methods to remote access:

What you can do:

  • Review available resources to see if there are videos or other materials that you can use to cover your content. Utilize quality resources that are already created to minimize what you need to create.
  • Record an asynchronous lecture using a screencasting tool like Screencastify. Walk through a PowerPoint/Google Slide or show a website while adding audio. We recommend creating multiple small videos instead of one large one to make the creation more manageable and not overwhelm your students. Once you have made your video, download an MP4 file and upload it to YouTube. If you have been notified by DRS about a student in your course who needs captioning, please contact them for next steps. YouTube automatic captioning is helpful in the meantime.
  • Present your lectures synchronously through a virtual meeting. These lectures should be scheduled at the same time as your class meeting. See virtual meeting options (below).

Technology needed:

  • A computer, webcam, and microphone
  • Internet access

How to help students with limited computer and internet access:

  • Encourage students to attend synchronously by phone. Select a virtual meeting option that allows recording, and share the recording in Canvas for students unable to attend synchronously. See virtual meeting options (below).

What to do:

  • Evaluate if the same material can be covered without a course discussion. Instead of a discussion, ask students to read course content and submit a reflection, answer related questions, and/or complete a short quiz.
  • Create an asynchronous discussion in Canvas. Allow students to share their thoughts about important course concepts. Here are some additional ideas for using discussion boards.
  • Use synchronous virtual meetings with your students. See virtual meeting options (below).

Technology needed:

  • A computer, webcam, and microphone
  • Internet access

How to help students with limited computer and internet access:

  • Encourage students to attend synchronously by phone. Select a virtual meeting option that allows recording, and share the recording in Canvas for students unable to attend synchronously. See virtual meeting options (below).

What to do:

Technology needed:

How to help students with limited computer and internet access: 

  • Consider making tests open-book so students can complete them at home off-line. This may necessitate creating an alternative test option that is more conducive to being completed at home.

What to do:

Technology needed: 

  • Canvas

How to help students with limited computer and internet access: 

  • Students can complete assignments by hand, take photos of their work using their phone camera with a free app like CamScanner, and email a pdf of their assignment to you.

Virtual Meeting Options

You have at least three options, listed below. Please use the information below, or (New) this virtual meeting tool comparison chart, to determine what will work best for you and your students.

Virtual Meeting Options

Use if you don’t need to record (can host 100 participants, cannot be recorded, allows joining by phone) Start at: https://meet.google.com/ Guide to Google Meet (4-minute demonstration video) Google Hangouts Meet Faculty & Staff Guide (created by SCC’s CTL)

 Use if you need to record and can keep your meeting under 40 minutes Start at: https://zoom.us/ (free accounts can host 100 participants for up to 40 minutes, and can be recorded, allows joining by phone) Joining a Meeting (1-minute video demonstration, with text tutorials for joining with different devices) Zoom for Education (44-minute training video), A Review of Zoom for Teaching Online Lessons (9-minute video)

Use if you are comfortable figuring out a new tool. This is the most robust and secure tool available, but it will take more practice. Start at: https://maricopa.webex.com/ (District-supported tool that can host 200+ participants, and be recorded, allows joining by phone)

More...

If you are unsure which option to choose please contact the CTLE for guidance.

Screen Recording Options

These tools are good for recording an asynchronous lecture and making a video available to students. Walk through a PowerPoint/Google Slide or show a website while adding audio. Optionally, you can record your webcam so students can see you, which is recommended especially if they have been with you face-to-face until now. The free version of these tools do not allow you to edit your video. Both tools have a quick learning curve.

Resources available at the CTLE:

  • Check out webcams, camcorders, document cameras at the CTLE
  • Reserve CTLE recording room to make videos (unavailable while employees are working remotely)
  • Review our Tips for Teaching Remotely information
  • Online Canvas training or check-out these fast track videos.
  • Attend virtual CTLE workshops on:
    • using virtual meetings – virtual meeting options (above),
    • using Screencast tools,
    • creating Canvas Quizzes,
    • creating Canvas Assignments, and
    • Uploading Canvas Files.

Additional workshops will be added, as needed.

Final Steps

  • Keep communicating your plan: Continue to communicate with students regularly. Set a schedule that includes sending weekly messages and course updates in a consistent way.
  • Have patience with yourself and with your students: Try to remain flexible, communicate with students, and look to your colleagues and the CTLE for support.