This article describes how faculty can complete many course design tasks with the help of generative AI tools (GenAI). This guidance provides examples of AI prompts following research-backed best practices for the design of quality educational experiences.
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Conducting remote live, remote, synchronous class sessions using video conference software — such as Microsoft Teams — can be a daunting task (Boland & Major, 2021). Below are some tips and strategies for designing and facilitating online synchronous sessions, specifically in Online Synchronous (OS), Online Blended (OB), and In-Person Remote (PR) course modalities.
Continue readingVideos can be used for a variety of purposes in online courses, and different set-ups are required to achieve these goals. This article will review the types of videos used in online courses and provide examples.
Continue readingCommunication with students is a key part of Managing Your Online Course; this post has email and announcement templates and examples to aid with that communication.
Continue readingVoiceThread is an asynchronous discussion and presentation tool that is integrated into HuskyCT (Blackboard). A VoiceThread is a collaborative multimedia slide-based presentation that can include materials such as PowerPoint slides, images, documents, videos, audio files, and other audio-visual content. Users can engage with the content and each other using video-, audio-, and text-based interactions. Online instructors can leverage VoiceThread to create asynchronous discussions, deliver interactive lectures, or facilitate group projects. Its flexibility supports diverse learning styles and encourages participation, making it an ideal tool for building community in online courses.
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Perusall is a free “social annotation” tool that helps students engage with course material in class groups. When integrated with HuskyCT, instructors can create reading or viewing assignments in which students create & share their own annotations and respond to each other’s comments and questions. Perusall informs instructors of the concepts that generate the most student questions & discussion, and Perusall can assist instructors score assignments quickly and efficiently. Perusall also reminds students of incomplete assignments, prompting higher rates of completion and preparedness.
Continue readingeCampus offers a syllabus template for instructors teaching online, which meets accessibility requirements for online courses. This article describes how to download and use the template to create your syllabus.
Continue readingTo prepare online enrolled students for success, eCampus provides them with information prior to the start date of classes.