Week Three Teaching Update

April 10, 2020

Colleagues, 

We hope your spring courses are finding a rhythm after your heroic work to launch them. You may be thinking about assessments and grading, including using the Canvas Gradebook, a tool some faculty and GEs may be using for the first time. We’ll devote the next two Monday workshops to these issues.  

Also, you’ll find links to faculty and student testimonials below to see how some members of our teaching and learning community are experiencing this remote term.  

The Office of the Provost Faculty and GE Support Group 


Week Three Checklist

  • If a student isn't engaging in class, or their participation drops off, please reach out to them directly to convey care and concern. When a student is unresponsive or needs academic support, please notify the Office of Academic Advising at uoadvising@uoregon.edu and an advisor will provide further outreach. If you have reason to be acutely anxious about a student's wellbeing, please submit a student care form at: https://dos.uoregon.edu/concern 
  • Refer students to the support they need. The Remote Resources for Students site links to support, wellbeing, and engagement opportunities. Many faculty and GEs have asked about connecting students to loaner laptopslow-cost and free internet access, and Counseling Center support.   
  • Academic Council has required that grades be posted in Canvas this term. If you’re unfamiliar with the Gradebook feature, this quick how-to guide may be useful, and we hope you’ll join us for a workshop Monday, April 20 at 9:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m.
  • We’re asking students about their first two weeks of remote learning. Read a few responses in which they both share challenges and convey their appreciation. 

In the first few weeks of the course, consider:

  • Establishing reliable patterns of communication with students, clarifying expectations for each week, and tweaking Canvas sites to help students find their way. Ease-of-navigation ideas like these can be implemented incrementally, and TEP is happy to tour your Canvas site with you.  
  • The new campus-wide Continuous Improvement and Evaluation of Teaching tools will not be deployed this term (this includes the Midway and End-of-Term Student Experience Surveys, and the Instructor Reflection). Here are adaptable ways to check in with students and a version of the Midway Survey that you can import directly into Canvas if you choose.  

Colleague to colleague

Faculty and GEs have shared examples of how they’re connecting with students and connecting students to one another. We hope you enjoy these!


Alternative Assessments and Academic Integrity Online 

Monday, April 13, 2020 
Select One: 9:00-10:00 a.m., 2:00-3:00 p.m.  
Click here to join us via Zoom

Meeting ID: 233 572 809 

TEP and UO Online invite you to a workshop to brainstorm alternatives to proctored exams, including ideas and resources for how exams in Canvas can be designed and administered. We’ll also discuss creating a culture of academic integrity and moving away from exams entirely toward creative alternatives aligned with your course goals.  


Security in Zoom

Faculty and GEs are encouraged to review UO's guidelines for preventing Zoombombing. Learn how to secure your classes and meetings to prevent disruptions and end any disruptions quickly. More information about Zoom security is available in the Tech Support FAQs


Let Us Support You

Did you know UO Online has a loaner program for mics, iPads, and webcams? 
Request a device using this form.

Teaching Engagement Program
Drop-in consultations are Mondays through Fridays, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
To join us, simply click here.
Or contact us any time. You can use this form and a consultant will be in touch.

UO Online
541-346-1942  
uoonline@uoregon.edu 
‘Drop-in’ Consultations all about Zoom M-F 9:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 
To join us, simply click here


NEW: Information Services 

Faculty who want a helping hand with real-time Zoom classroom management can now identify a “Zoom assistant” from within the course to receive training. Information Services student workers will provide 30-minute training sessions by appointment. This training will be available exclusively to individuals whom faculty identify, such as GEs, Teaching Assistants, undergraduate Learning Assistants, or student volunteers within a given course. Trainings will empower identified assistants to help the instructor scan for raised hands, monitor chat, and assist with features like breakout rooms, screen sharing, polling, and white boards. 

Select “Classroom Assistant” on the Zoom Support Request Help form