Instructional Continuity
UW-Parkside has a number of tools available to facilitate online learning through the Canvas learning management system. Should the university encounter a need to move all classes online, instructors will have the option to facilitate face-to-face courses virtually either asynchronously or synchronously through Canvas.
Steps to take:
- Decide which instructional continuity options you will use.
- Take time to explore and practice any technologies.
- Establish your plans for communicating with students.
- Share plans with students.
Things to consider:
- What elements of your face-to-face class could be supplemented (or replaced as needed) using online content?
- Could you record your lecture and post it in Canvas if a class session is canceled?
- Can interactive elements of your face-to-face class be converted into online activities?
- Do you want to host synchronous class session using Collaborate Ultra in place of a face-to-face class session?
FACE-TO-FACE TO ONLINE
Extended campus closures and course cancellations can occur as a result of inclement weather, widespread illness, unexpected events, etc. In the event of a campus closure, instructors may be required to temporarily move their face-to-face courses online.
Important!
Make sure that you have access to a WEBCAM and MICROPHONE!
If you do not have a webcam or microphone, please contact innovations@uwp.edu.
Is my face-to face course available in Canvas?
Yes. A Canvas course shell is automatically provided for all UW-Parkside courses, regardless of their format (i.e. face-to-face, hybrid, online).
How do I find my course shells in Canvas?
To access your course shell(s) in Canvas, navigate to the UW-Parkside logins page.
Click on the Canvas login button and log in using your UW-Parkside NetID and Password.
The easiest way to locate current term courses is via the Global Navigation > Courses link. See (How do I view all my Canvas courses as an instructor?)
Do students have access to course shells?
No. By default, all courses are brought into Canvas in an unpublished state. This allows the instructor to develop/add content to the course before students have access to it.
How do I grant student access once I've added content to the course?
Once a Canvas course is Published, the students enrolled in it will have access to it.
Where do I begin?
In order to add content to your course, the first thing you'll want to do is add a module.
How do I add a file to my course?
You can add a file (syllabus, powerpoint, etc.) to your course by uploading it.
Can I give student extra time on assignments / quizzes?
Yes! You can give individual students extended due dates on assignments in Canvas by using the following instructions:
You can also give individual students additional time on quizzes and additional quiz attempts by using the following instructions:
Tips to Help You be Well-Prepared to Move Your Course Online in the Event of a Campus Closure
It is a good idea to make plans now for what you will do with your course when you have an emergency. Practice using the tools ahead of time.
- Try using Collaborate Ultra for office hours, so you can try the various web conferencing features while support is easy to reach.
- Use the announcements tool to contact your students.
- Take connectivity into consideration. Students who are not on campus may have poor Internet connectivity and may not be able to participate in real time.
- Communication is key! Tell students how often you will communicate with them and what your turn-around time is for returning messages. This sets reasonable expectations.
- These additions to your course routine will mean that you and your students will be well-prepared to take your course temporarily online if needed.
ASYNCHRONOUS VS SYNCHRONOUS
Asynchronous Options
Assignments
The Canvas assignments tool allows for the online submission of course work. In the event that all courses are moved online, in-class submissions can be submitted to Canvas using the Assignments tool. For information on how to build an online Canvas assignment, visit the Canvas Guides.
Discussions
If you’re looking for an asynchronous alternative to in-class discussions, the Canvas discussions tool will allow you to post a prompt either to your full class or groups of students and begin a dialogue on the topic. Discussions can be built into Canvas either as graded or ungraded activities. For information on how to build an online Canvas discussion, visit the Canvas Guides.
Quizzes
Canvas has robust options for building quizzes and surveys within the LMS. Choose from standard options like multiple choice, true/false, and essay questions, or try something more robust like a matching question, multiple select, or hotspot. For information on how to build an online Canvas quiz, visit the Canvas Guides.
Kaltura
Record lecture videos using Kaltura. You can record your computer screen, webcam, or both. All Kaltura videos have the capability to be captioned on an as-needed basis. Videos embed directly into Canvas so students can access materials within the LMS. PowerPoint lectures can also be recorded with audio and exported as .mp4 files to convey in-class content to students online.
Synchronous Options
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
This is Innovations in Learning’s preferred method of video conferencing. Blackboard Collaborate Ultra integrates directly within Canvas, and rooms are available for synchronous communication between instructors and students.
HELP AND SUPPORT
INNOVATIONS IN LEARNING
The Innovations in Learning team is offering on demand Canvas training via video chat / phone / and email. The IiL team is also available to assist in building online content for instructors such as quizzes, assignments, and discussions.
Email innovations@uwp.edu for assistance.
CANVAS RESOURCES
Canvas offers 24/7 support for all faculty, staff, and students through online chat and phone. Canvas also provides a searchable knowledgebase full of documentation on everything Canvas related called the Canvas Guides.
Online Chat Phone Numbers Canvas Guides