Distribute course materials
Distribute course materials
Course materials and readings delivered electronically provide flexible pathways for students to engage with course content. Consider providing files, slide decks, videos, and more to keep the teaching and learning momentum in your course.
Course materials and readings delivered electronically provide flexible pathways for students to engage with course content. Consider providing files, slide decks, videos, and more to keep the teaching and learning momentum in your course.
Keep these principles in mind:
Keep these principles in mind:
Consider synchronous and asynchronous methods:
Consider synchronous and asynchronous methods:
Some learning materials are best shared in community during live chat sessions, virtual office hours, or small group meetings. These synchronous methods allow for discussion or dynamic engagement and are best for difficult or foundational concepts that require instructor involvement. However, asynchronous methods such as file share, email announcements, or online discussion boards are best for material that can be self-guided or more easily processed individually.
Some learning materials are best shared in community during live chat sessions, virtual office hours, or small group meetings. These synchronous methods allow for discussion or dynamic engagement and are best for difficult or foundational concepts that require instructor involvement. However, asynchronous methods such as file share, email announcements, or online discussion boards are best for material that can be self-guided or more easily processed individually.
Clearly communicate how course materials will be delivered
Clearly communicate how course materials will be delivered
Make sure students know when new material is posted and where they can find it. For example, if you post new materials in Blackboard, be sure to let students know what you posted and where to find it. Additionally, be sure to mention why the material is important and how you want them to interact with the material (read and take notes, prepare for a quiz, review with a peer, etc.).
Make sure students know when new material is posted and where they can find it. For example, if you post new materials in Blackboard, be sure to let students know what you posted and where to find it. Additionally, be sure to mention why the material is important and how you want them to interact with the material (read and take notes, prepare for a quiz, review with a peer, etc.).
Use common file types and accessible formatting
Use common file types and accessible formatting
PDF files are the most common and easily shared file format. With the potential for limited connectivity and/or devices, PDF files are the best choice for most course materials. Consider saving instructional files (documents, presentation slides, etc.) to PDFs, which are easier to read on phones and tablets, and keep the file size small.
PDF files are the most common and easily shared file format. With the potential for limited connectivity and/or devices, PDF files are the best choice for most course materials. Consider saving instructional files (documents, presentation slides, etc.) to PDFs, which are easier to read on phones and tablets, and keep the file size small.
Tools for distributing course materials
Tools for distributing course materials
Share files in Blackboard
Share files in Blackboard
You can upload most file types in Blackboard. Be sure to organize the content logically in folders. You can make things straightforward by creating folders and menu items for specific weeks or modules.
You can upload most file types in Blackboard. Be sure to organize the content logically in folders. You can make things straightforward by creating folders and menu items for specific weeks or modules.
Resources
Resources
Convert documents to PDF
Convert documents to PDF
Microsoft Office and Google's G-Suite programs can convert files to PDF. Depending on the program, you may have the option to save as PDF, print as PDF, export to PDF, or download to PDF. PDFs are not editable, so only do this with documents that are intended as read-only.
Microsoft Office and Google's G-Suite programs can convert files to PDF. Depending on the program, you may have the option to save as PDF, print as PDF, export to PDF, or download to PDF. PDFs are not editable, so only do this with documents that are intended as read-only.
Resources
Resources
Scan readings
Scan readings
If you don't have access to a scanner, but you have a smartphone, consider using an app like Scannable if you need to share content that is not readily available through a digital source. Once your readings are scanned, you can post them to Blackboard (see Share files in Blackboard above)
If you don't have access to a scanner, but you have a smartphone, consider using an app like Scannable if you need to share content that is not readily available through a digital source. Once your readings are scanned, you can post them to Blackboard (see Share files in Blackboard above)
Resources
Resources
Request Electronic Reserves through Swem Library
Request Electronic Reserves through Swem Library
Electronic reserves include journal articles, sections from books, video clips, etc. Instructors who cannot upload scanned content to Blackboard themselves can request Swem Reserves to post directly to the course Blackboard site for them. Please allow adequate time for Swem staff to post requested materials.
Electronic reserves include journal articles, sections from books, video clips, etc. Instructors who cannot upload scanned content to Blackboard themselves can request Swem Reserves to post directly to the course Blackboard site for them. Please allow adequate time for Swem staff to post requested materials.
Resources
Resources
Presented by the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation in coordination with Information Technology and W&M Libraries.
Copyright © 2020
Presented by the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation in coordination with Information Technology and W&M Libraries.
Copyright © 2020