Wiki Page, Radio Communications: Tips for e-Teaching

Wiki Page
2014-04-05T17:47:30-06:00

Just as learning online differs in many ways from the traditional classroom, so does teaching online or in the blended learning environment. Indiana University Bloomington's Office of Instructional Consulting has an extensive repository of e-Teaching & Learning sources to help faculty.

Instructor Quick Start Guide for Instructure's Canvas

This course is built in Instructure's open platform called Canvas. Review the Instructor Quick Start Guide to assist you in working in the platform.

Keeping Accessibility in Mind

According to WebAim, an estimated 20% of the population has a visual, hearing, motor, and/or cognitive disability. Although not all of these disabilities affect the student's experience when accessing online materials, creating materials without accessibility in mind may not only exclude students, it may also violate the law.

To learn more about online teaching with accessibility in mind, visit WebAim's Resources.

In addition, Canvas's Statement of Accessibility in the LMS assists in understanding the platform's compliance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Canvas has also created Improving the Accessibility of Your Course for tips for design, video, and screen reader programs.

Creating Video and Audio Files

To break up the monotony of text, you may wish to consider creating short (under 5 minutes) video or audio for your students. To create video or audio files, click on the film icon located in the Rich Content Editor tool bar under the "Edit this Page" view:

Creating Screencasts with Jing

You may also wish to create screencasts (narrated video of your computer desktop). An easy-to-use and free application is Screencast-O-Matic.

Creating a Personal Introduction

One way to assist students in connecting with you is creating a brief introduction using video or audio. As a general rule, simple and short video or audio files (under 5 minutes) work best for online learning.

The following tips may be useful for creating introductions:

Tips for Video

Wear dark colors. Stripes and plaid can be distracting.

Position webcams at eye-level. Laptop views are often directed at the nose.

Make eye contact with the webcam instead of the computer screen.

Keep head movements and gestures to a minimum.

Use lighting from the sides. Lighting from behind makes faces appear shaded.

Check both the aural and visual "noise." Is there a whirring fan in the room or messy desk behind you?

Smile when talking.

Ideas for Topics

Include a welcome greeting to students.

State your name and affiliation with the institution.

Consider discussing your credentials, teaching experience, research background, alma mater, etc.

Original content contributed by cLEaR Consultants under a Creative Commons Attribution License

Content created by Dr. Curt Bonk of Indiana University Bloomington for School of Education, Instructional Consulting under a Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike License