Embedded Files
Regardless of whether you're teaching a course online, on campus, or in a hybrid format, instructors will need to familiarize themselves with a variety of classroom technology tools to conduct class. The tools used most frequently by instructors at The Seattle School include:
Google Suite: used for email, calendars, live document sharing, etc.
Populi: the Learning Management System (LMS)
Zoom: the video conferencing/recording platform of choice
Even when an instructor is a seasoned user of these platforms, questions inevitably arise. Below you will find a variety of frontline resources to help tackle FAQs and initial troubleshooting for any issues which may arise for instructional staff while teaching a course.
For basic Populi user support and/or support in how to best leverage one of these tools for your instruction and course design, please contact Katie Clum, kclum@theseattleschool.edu.
For more in-depth technical support with any of these platforms, please contact the IT help desk, help@theseattleschool.edu.
Creating Asynchronous Lecture Videos: Reminders & Tips
Creating Asynchronous Lecture Videos: Reminders & Tips
Asynchronous video content is a fantastic way to share lecture material ahead of time (and for ongoing reference) so that class time can be reserved for more active interaction/engagement. Asynchronous videos can also be a time-saver for instructors when they are able to be re-used year after year. Zoom is the most popular platform used for making recordings at our institution, but instructors are welcome to use any tools they wish. As you consider making your own recordings and/or re-using or editing recordings you’ve previously made, here are a few helpful reminders/tips:
Make a plan ahead of time which includes learning objectives for the video content and a script (as appropriate). Be explicit about the learning objectives in the introduction section of your recording.
Brevity is important. A good target time for lecture videos is around 20 minutes (or less!). Be sure to offer a brief summary at the end of the video.
Assuming you aren’t in a production studio, make use of natural lighting (coming from in front of you, not behind you) as much as possible.
When it comes down to it, sound quality is the most important. Prioritize the sound quality over snazzy visuals. Listen back after you record for quality check.
Remember that most recording platforms (including Zoom) allow you to create a written transcript of a video recording after-the-fact. I highly recommend having these available alongside your instructional videos for accessibility purposes.
If you’d like to experiment with some basic video editing or creation of visual aids for your class, Canva is a great place to start with a free entry-level use plan. You can, of course, also keep it simple and record your voice over a slide presentation using Zoom.
If it’s a lecture, make it timeless: as much as possible, avoid making specific mention of current events, assignments, class announcements, or due dates. When these references are mixed in with content, they impact the video’s future use and create opportunities for confusion down the road. Create your video with re-use and timelessness in mind. Short videos can also be a great way to make announcements, answer common questions, provide encouragement, reminders, or feedback to the whole group. These types of videos should be separate and distinct from content videos.
Store your videos in a Google folder or in a place where they can be shared using a link (as opposed to uploading a large video file directly to the LMS). Make sure share settings are set appropriately so that students may view. Embedding videos (in Populi in particular) has become increasingly tricky over the years.
Be clear about expectations for viewing. If students are required to watch the video outside of or ahead of class, make sure that’s known. Alternatively, if the video will be viewed synchronously in class, make sure students are aware so they can plan accordingly and avoid double watching.
And finally - if any of this feels overwhelming, ask the Instructional Designer for help with any/all of the above!
Google Suite
Google Suite
To access articles and FAQ answers located in The Seattle School's IT knowledge base, please click here.
On-Campus Classroom Technology
On-Campus Classroom Technology
The IT office is located near the main entrance of the building, just to the right of the large classroom. See also: User Manual for Classroom Desk.
Populi
Populi
To access helpful how-to videos for a vareity of Populi functions (setting up a course, creating assignments, etc.), take a look at the Populi YouTube channel.
To learn more about uploading videos for your course to Populi, please click here (sourced from The Seattle School Knowledge Base). Additionally, an article addressing how to embed videos in your lessons is available from the Populi Knowledge Base, here.
To access the broader Populi Knowledge Base and a wide array of articles answering FAQs for faculty, please click here.
For additional assistance with use of Populi in your course design or implementation, please reach out to Katie Clum, kclum@theseattleschool.edu.
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