Getting Started Online

Models for Online Undergraduate Courses in 2021.docx

Models for Online Undergraduate Courses

EMS Flexible Online Learning Checklist.pdf

UWC principles for online teaching and learning

IDEO_DTEdu_v2_toolkit+workbook.pdf

Design Thinking for Educators

"Design thinking is a mindset. It is the confidence that everyone can be part of creating a more desirable future, and a process to take action when faced with a difficult challenge. That kind of optimism is well needed in education.

Universities, classrooms and schools worldwide face design challenges every day. Wherever they fall on the spectrum of scale – the challenges educators are confronted with are real, complex, and varied. And as such, they require new perspectives, new tools, and new approaches. Design thinking is one of them."

Find workbooks and toolkits in the document to help you redefine your curriculum and courses :)

More tools for change can be found here.

Giving students internet access using Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) provides a mechanism whereby a computer outside of the university's trusted network can securely access the university's resources which are normally only available on campus.

You can download and install the VPN client software to connect to the UWC campus network. This will allow you to access internal websites as well as external resources such as iKamva, Gmail and other websites via the UWC network https://iamuwc.uwc.ac.za/

At the moment, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students will incur no data charges if they use sim cards from Cell C, MTN, Telkom or Vodacom when connecting to the VPN. This is also limited to South Africa.

Some FAQs regarding VPN:

Will students need data to use Google tools such as Docs, Gmail, Google Forms etc.?

They should not use data when using the student VPN. No data charges will be incurred if students or staff use sim cards from Cell C, MTN, Telkom or Vodacom when connecting to the VPN. This is also limited to South Africa.

They require data for the VPN download, how much data?

The VPN application for windows together with the 2 configuration files totals about 5 MB. The android application which is available on the Google Playstore has a size of 57 MB.

Even though the website for the VPN is supposed to be zero-rated by the mobile network operators which means that no data charges will be incurred (without VPN as well), there are no guarantees. The regulations under which zero-rating occurs are tied to the declaration of a COVID-19 national state of disaster published in Government Notice No. 313 of 15 March 2020, and remain in place until the minister either repeals the regulations or the state of disaster ends. The state of disaster was most recently extended by Government Notice R 15 of 13 January 2021, and currently lasts until 15 February 2021. This means the regulations are still in force, and sites that were zero-rated in 2020 should continue to be zero-rated until at least 15 February (and beyond, if there's a subsequent extension -- we've seen the state of disaster extended in monthly increments for about the last six months). We have received no further news regarding this.

When they upload e.g. videos to Google sites, Google forms, create ePortfolios, will this require data?

This should not require data.

Note: On most mobile devices, when the screen locks, the VPN connection will disconnect. This is due to a setting on the mobile device which causes the network connection to drop to conserve power.

FAQs VPN and data.pdf

More VPN FAQs

Google Meets vs Zoom when using VPN?

Response from ICS: Unfortunately, when using Google Meet when connected to the VPN, it may use data credits on the sim card due to the way the software works and it is out of our control.

We advise that Zoom be used instead.

Zoom free accounts info:

Unlimited free sessions. Up to 100 users in a session. Lasts 40 min at a time.

Anyone can who wants to host a meeting can use and register for a free account.

Guest do not need accounts only the person hosting need an account

Only the host person need to create an account

Free accounts kicks you out after 40 min but you can relogin using the same link for another 40 min.

Anyone with the link i.e. guest can join if they have the link

https://zoom.us/signup

You can sign in with your google account

Resetting passwords

ICS have launched a Self Service Password Portal, making it easier than ever for you to recover your password if you ever forget it. You can now reset or change your password without having to contact the ServiceDesk for assistance.

You can access the Portal here and it doesn't require VPN.

We urge users to reset your password regularly

If you get stuck, you can still contact the ICS Servicedesk at servicedesk@uwc.ac.za or 021 959 2000.

Prepare students - Online student readiness orientation

Interactive Tutorials

Interactive Tools

iKamva: Technical Requirements

iKamva runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, & Android or any other device with a modern web browser. Recommended Browsers to access iKamva:

● Google Chrome

● Mozilla Firefox

*Please avoid using Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge and Apple Safari as there are compatibility issues with the iKamva site

Other Browser Requirements:

Adobe Flash

Javascript Enabled

Skill Requirements:

● Stable Internet Connection

● Microsoft Office OR OpenOffice Suites (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

● Basic Computer Literacy knowledge (Copying, pasting, attaching/uploading of documents).

View screencasts demonstrating how to access and login to iKamva on our CIECT YouTube Channel https://tinyurl.com/yyav7sbc

Access iKamva and navigation

As a staff member you will be required to login to iKamva with your Network ID username and password. Username: Network ID (vmakahula); and Password: as provided by ICS Servicedesk.

View screencasts demonstrating how to access and login to iKamva on our CIECT YouTube Channel:

https://tinyurl.com/268f3r2t

This unit introduces you to iKamva, the Learning Management System (LMS) used at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and its navigation in order to become familiar with various content, communication and assessment eTools. The various eTools and how to use it are further explained in the instructional videos

View screencasts demonstrating how to navigate the iKamva Platform on our CIECT YouTube Channel:https://tinyurl.com/lyk8w4u0

Guided course design

The Design Studio is a short course which offers a guided process to design or review a blended or online course. Requiring several hours of asynchronous learning to work through learning materials, each week participants will produce a small part of their course and gain skills in content creation, Vula site set up and assessment design. Live sessions will provide opportunities to share course design and content and get feedback from CILT facilitators and fellow participants.

The next cohort of the CILT Design studio will run from 15 February 2021. Sign up for the CILT Design Studio.

We'll keep you updated on new course dates :)

Quality Assurance

Based on our experience of developing MOOCs and supporting online course offerings, UCT has developed a quality assurance checklist for academics interested in taking some or all of their course online:

Quality assurance checklist for online courses

Strategies for addressing unequal technological access.docx

Strategies for addressing unequal technological access

CIECT Staff Orientation Interventions.pdf

CIECT Booklet edited 11 March 2021.pdf

CIECT Comprehensive Resource (Booklet): Student and Staff Workshops

Created by Fazlyn Petersen

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