Talk to Someone for Help

A member of the Teaching & Learning Team is happy to help you with teaching strategies, Blackboard support, and educational technology questions

For Teaching-related questions:

Email: ctl@humber.ca

8:30 am - 1:00 pm: 416-675-6622, x 5598 or 5469

1:00 pm - 6:00 pm: 416-675-6622, x 4798

For Blackboard questions:
Virtual Instructional Support Studio

Email, Phone, Appointments
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 6:00pm

Email: facultyblackboard@humber.ca
Phone: 416-675-6622, x3288 or x4744

LIVE Blackboard drop-in support
Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Click here to enter the virtual studio

We're all in this together!

Faculty sharing portal: Another place to get terrific ideas!

We know that a lot of great ideas, tips, and teaching hacks are flying around Humber. At this site, faculty share their strategies, resources, and ideas with the whole Humber Teaching and Learning Community.

Click here to get started!

FAQ

COURSE BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT

Can I request help building my online course?

For those currently teaching online and those building courses, we are now offering the chance for a second set of eyes!

If you’d like someone to take a look at your online course and provide feedback, suggestions, and kudos, follow the link below and select "Teaching + Learning Expert" from the dropdown to book a 30-minute consultation!

Book 'em!

COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENTS

What should I do to ease my students’ transition to remote teaching and learning?

Provide a way for students to share their experiences or concerns of the first few online sessions. Consider creating a Google form to collect their feedback. Then send a message to the whole class that summarizes key ideas in the responses. Or consider adding a discussion board thread for students to share experiences during the disruption.
Inform your students how you are going to communicate with them during this time of transition. Regular communication will mitigate their anxiety about course content, assignments and timelines. Frequent, ongoing communication with students is essential to course continuity. Use announcements in your Blackboard course, share new information, and post reminders for students.
Hold your office hours online. Office hours can be scheduled even when you are not in the office. You can either use the telephone or hold them online.

CLASS MEETINGS

How can I set up the videoconferencing technology I will be using for class?

Collaborate Ultra - As the instructor, you will be the moderator for the session. Follow these instructions to schedule the session from your Blackboard account. Be sure to share the link for your session with students in advance. Please note that there is no toll free call-in number for Blackboard Collaborate. Students who choose to call-in, as opposed to accessing the session using their internet and laptops/desktops/tablets, could be charged long distance fees.
WebEx - Instructors can also use WebEx. Similar to Collaborate but with fewer features, virtual meetings can be held throughout the remainder of the semester. A 1-800 number is provided with WebEx meetings for those who need to call in and sessions can be created at mymeeting.humber.ca.
Google Hangouts: Schedule the session following these instructions. Be sure to share the link for your session with students in advance.

How can I help students become familiar with the videoconferencing technology we will be using?

Share guides with students in advance of the session ( Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Help Google Hangouts). Consider starting the session before your regularly scheduled class time to give students extra time to join the session and practice using the software. You may even explain it may take some time for the class to become familiar with these tools and it is a learning process for everyone.

How do I set up small breakout groups in Blackboard Ultra Collaborate?

You cannot set up groups in advance, so if group membership is not important, consider using the “randomize” group feature. If group membership is important, you will have to create groups and add students manually to each group. Once you launch the “break out” feature during a session, you can adjust group membership by editing the break out session: unassign and then reassign the student. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, consider preparing a list of group names and group members in advance if you do not plan to randomize group membership.

How else can students collaborate remotely to complete project work?

Suggest that students use Google products for collaborative work, such as Google docs, presentations, and sheets. Ask that students share edit access to their group files and folders with you so that you can provide comments when helpful.

How do I evaluate formative assessment when my class is meeting online?

Communicate to students that you will be adjusting how you will be evaluating formative assessment now that the class is meeting online. Provide options for how students can demonstrate that they are actively participating, such as by joining video conferencing sessions, posting and replying on discussion boards, or submitting a written reflection on a discussion board after engaging in lecture or reading materials.

PROJECTS, PAPERS AND EXAMS

How can students submit projects and papers (end-of-term and otherwise)?

Create an assignment in Blackboard and ask students to upload a digital version of their term project or paper, such as PowerPoint files, Google Presentation links, and Word documents. If students are working in groups, you can ask each student to upload a copy of their group’s assignment. Then evaluate each group’s submission and assign a grade to each student in the group. It is up to you whether to give a group score or an individual score to group projects.

What options do students have for presenting final projects (group or individual) online?

One option is for students to create a digital presentation and upload these files to Blackboard. Options include PowerPoint files, Google Presentation links, and Word documents. For presentations, you could ask students to add text in the speaker notes section of each slide to share what they might have shared verbally. Alternatively, you could ask students to present their final projects by setting up a Blackboard Ultra Collaborate session and screen sharing their presentations.

How do I administer a high-stakes exam online?

Consider alternative forms of assessment, such as written reflections, case study responses, or open book exams.

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