CEHD A-Z Tools Index

Canvas is an online system used by the University. It is a versatile teaching tool. Canvas is the preferred platform for online instruction.

• All courses have Canvas sites at Canvas.umn.edu, there is no need to request one. The UMN auto-generates courses. Unused Canvas sites remain hidden from students.

• New to Canvas? Resources for new users:

  • Try the Canvas Basics for Teaching: Video Series (a series of short episodes to get set up quickly)

  • Upload a syllabus

  • Upload a file

  • Create an assignment

  • Link to content

  • Have a discussion

  • Give a quiz

  • Embed an external video (YouTube, Vimeo, or another website)

  • Record and embed your own video

  • Grade

• IT@UMN: Canvas - Additional guides and related information.

Using graded exams or quizzes in an online environment presents special challenges that require additional design considerations. Applying a combination of exam design strategies and leveraging available technologies can be most effective. 

Be aware that proctoring online exams does increase the complexity and technological challenges associated with exam administration and participation. When possible, consider alternative assignments and activities, instead of exams, in online learning environments.

For more information, visit:

• Read IT@UMN: Exam Security for additional information about administering exams and quizzes online.

Flip (formerly Flipgrid) is an online video discussion board platform. Instructors record a short video prompt and students reply to that prompt and to one another by recording their own short videos. Flip can also include screen recording.

• CEHD Flip Instructor Guide

• Flip Official User Guides

Google Drive allows for the creation, upload, organization and collaboration of files. Google also provides a suite of software tools via Drive, including word processing, slide presentations, spreadsheets and online forms.

• Video Postcard: Getting Started with Google Drive (2:53 mins).

• Video Postcard: Sharing with Google Drive (3:12 mins).

• Video Postcard: Google Drive Tips for Educators (5:02 mins).

• Getting started with Google Drive (Google Doc with written directions).

• IT@UMN:  Google Drive - Additional guides and related information.

• IT@UMN: Google Apps - Additional guides and related information.

Send messages, share photos, and make video calls.

• Google Meet video calls can accommodate up to 250 participants. Meetings can be recorded. Recordings are saved to the host’s Google Drive account. 

• IT@UMN: Google Hangouts/Meet - Additional guides and related information.

iMovie is a free, full-featured video editing App that comes pre-installed on all Mac computers. It is also available as a one-time low-cost App purchase for iPad and iPhone.

Kaltura MediaSpace is an online media management system for storing, hosting and sharing video and audio files. Kaltura is integrated with Canvas to facilitate easy sharing and viewing of videos in online courses. Videos hosted with Kaltura are compatible for viewing with desktop, laptop and mobile devices and can include captions for increased accessibility. Additionally, Kaltura provides viewership statistics instructors can use to gauge student engagement.

• Upload video or audio media to Kaltura

• Add a Kaltura course tools to Canvas

• Add a Kaltura video or audio file to a Canvas page or assignment

• Find and edit Kaltura captions

Qualtrics is the University-supported, research-grade survey platform that meets stringent information security requirements not found in most free online survey tools. From simple to complex surveys, Qualtrics has a range of features to meet survey creation and distribution needs, and provides data storage and analysis. Scored surveys can also be created to use as quizzes.

• Surveys at the U of M: Qualtrics

• Qualtrics User Guide Topics: A - Z

Respondus is a Windows-only software application for creating and managing exams that can be printed to paper or published directly to Canvas. Exams can be created offline using familiar tools such as Microsoft Word. The University of Minnesota has a campus-wide license for Respondus. University instructors and support staff may use it for free.

• CEHD Guide: Creating Canvas Quizzes with MS Word and Respondus Quiz Builder

• IT@UMN: Respondus Quiz Builder

Use ScreenPal to record your screen, and include your webcam if you wish. ScreenPal includes additional features for editing and annotating video and is available for free to all University of Minnesota faculty, staff and students. This is a software download that needs to be installed to your computer, and there is also an online-only version.

• ScreenPal Video Tutorials

• Recording Lectures for Remote Teaching & Learning Tutorial

Turnitin is web-based software that can be used to check student work for improper citations and potential plagiarism as well as proper use of grammar and style. Turnitin compares student work to an extensive database of other written works, websites, and academic sources and issues a report indicating possible matches, which instructors may also make available to students for review.  Instructors can enable Turnitin as part of a new Canvas assignment. At this time, the University does not provide Turnitin access independent of Canvas.

• CEHD Instructor Guide: Turnitin in Canvas

VideoAnt is a web-based video annotation tool, which can be used by instructors and students alike. Use VideoAnt to add annotations, or comments, to web-hosted videos. 

• VideoAnt Official User Guides

VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slideshow that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate slides and leave comments. VoiceThread runs inside your web browser, so there is no additional software required. Anyone with a University of Minnesota Internet ID has a VoiceThread account.

• CEHD VoiceThread Instructor’s Guide

• IT@UMN: VoiceThread

YouTube is available to all students, faculty, staff and departments through the Google Apps suite of tools, and it is free and easy to use. Upload a video and share it with your class or create a shared account to promote your organization. Read more about YouTube privacy settings.

Considering live class sessions?

While synchronous class sessions may seem like a logical way to replace a face-to-face class, there are many technical challenges to hosting and presenting in a large group meeting. If you were accustomed to presenting content in class, while students took notes and interjected questions, be aware that speaking up and staying focused during a video call can feel more daunting for students than in a face-to-face setting. It is also more difficult to “read an audience” via video call than in a face-to-face classroom setting.

If your main goal is to deliver content, recording a video may be a simpler option. Pre-recording instructor lectures also provides advantages to learners, including the ability to rewind complex explanations or demonstrations, and opportunities to rewatch materials before major assessments.

• CEHD Job Aid: How to Record a Video Lecture

Be strategic about the use of synchronous (live) class sessions. Live sessions are opportunities to hear from students directly, to gauge their ability to discuss, and to apply course concepts. If you do determine a live class session is the best option for your class, consider active learning strategies, to deepen student understanding of the content.

• Zoom: Teach Online Class Sessions

Getting Started with Zoom

Zoom is the University’s video conferencing tool that enables real-time class sessions. All instructors at the University have access. 

1. Prepare for your meeting in advance.

   • Check your audio/video settings and system requirements.

   • Install the desktop version of Zoom.

   • Schedule/Share the Zoom meeting with your students.

     • CEHD Job Aid: How to Schedule a U of M Zoom Meeting

     • Zoom is also integrated with Canvas; class meetings can be scheduled through your course.

   • Test your video/audio.

   • Practice with Zoom before meeting with students.

   • CEHD Job Aid: Recommended Settings for U of M Zoom

   • Zoom: Secure your Zoom meetings

2. Communicate with students ahead of time about:

   • The Zoom URL and dates and time frames.

   • Your expectations for the meeting, such as online meeting etiquette.

     • Zoom Code of Conduct

   • Tell your students to review and test Zoom before the first meeting:

     • How to Participate in a U of M Zoom Meeting

     • Zoom: Best Practices in a Meeting

     • Zoom - Troubleshooting FAQs

3. Just before the meeting:

   • Login at umn.zoom.us. This will assure that Zoom recognizes you as a meeting host.

   • CEHD Job Aid: How to Host a U of M Zoom Meeting

4. During the Meeting:

   • Share your screen.

   • Mute/Unmute your participants.

   • Engage your audience with polls.

   • Use Breakout Rooms for small group discussions or activities.

Zoom Security Recommendations

Learn how to secure your meeting, including using waiting rooms, locking your meeting, and setting up registration. 

Zoom Breakout Rooms

Zoom Breakout Rooms allow you to have smaller, separate meetings within your original Zoom meeting.

1. Navigate to umn.zoom.us.

2. Click Log In.

3. If prompted, enter your UMN Internet ID and password.

4. Follow the steps in the Zoom Breakout Room Tutorial.

5. Click Settings on the left-hand side.

   • Click In Meeting (Advanced) on the sub-menu that appears.

   • Make sure the Breakout Room toggle is turned on (blue).

6. CEHD Job Aid: Instructions for Preassigned Breakout Rooms

Recording and Sharing Zoom Meetings

Note that the online storage capacity of our Zoom cloud is very limited. Recording to the cloud should be avoided; you can also set recording to save to your local computer.

• CEHD Job Aid: How do I record and share a Zoom meeting?

• Also, be aware of privacy issues and accessibility. This resource from the Office of Information Technology (OIT) provides additional information.

Resources for Students

• How to Participate in a U of M Zoom Meeting

• Zoom Code of Conduct

• Student Guide to Presenting in Zoom

• Zoom - Troubleshooting FAQs

Looking for a tool not listed here? 

• View the University’s complete lineup of technology tools for teaching and learning.

• Additional licensed software for instructor and student use.