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How do I Teach Online?
We recommend using MS Teams, or the Big Blue Button platform, which is native within Canvas.
Keep in mind that students may have limited device or internet access. If you do host an online meeting, it should be recorded for future access and meeting attendance should not impact student grades.
How can I make my lesson content available on Canvas?
Lesson content, readings, videos, file uploads and more can be added to pages within Canvas. Best practice is to combine all lesson information onto a single page, linking to documents and external resources.
Use the links below for more details!
Refer to the Canvas Tutorials section
How do I contact students with updates?
Consistent communication with students is vital. Using the "Announcements" page in your course, you can type information, link to course content and more. These announcements also forward to student Microsoft Outlook accounts.
Things to add into ANNOUNCEMENTS: (click to expand)
Things to add into ANNOUNCEMENTS: (click to expand)
Due date changes (i.e. no change, extended, case-by-case basis via email request)
Power/Wi-Fi outages (i.e. what should they do if out for a few hours? a day? a week?)
Who to contact (i.e. how to contact you with questions, IT's contact info for tech issues)
Include your availability. (i.e. emails accepted at all hours, responded to during certain hours?)
Expectations for online learning (i.e. do they need to read all content in a page or module? Access YouTube? Online call?)
Rigor expectations (i.e. do they still need to do the full assignment? Are there penalties for late or missing assignments?)
Location of learning content (i.e. in Canvas, online video call, YouTube, attached documents)
Clear task list for the day (i.e. "On XYZ date, you will read the lesson content on page XYZ, and complete the XYZ quiz by midnight.")
Include "Course Links" in your announcements so students can navigate directly to a course page from their email
Technology Guidance
Students must use the Canvas link at bottom of TXWES website. Googling will direct them to the wrong link.
Include links to the Canvas Student Guide to support students with online quizzes and general Canvas use.
Include a link to walk students through checking their Canvas notification settings (so they see your announcements!)
A link on how to use Big Blue Button or Teams (if conducting online video calls)
Canvas mobile apps don't always show all options, information, or rubrics. Encourage internet browser access.
Steal this assignment! (click to expand)
Steal this assignment! (click to expand)
Online learning doesn't mean student learning stops. However, you might need something that can continue learning while holding space until you're back in the campus classroom.
For this assignment, you could require the use of the template here, or you could set up the assignment in Canvas as a "Text Entry" where students can type these headings into the box.
Task students with a One-Page Lesson Synthesis assignment:
In a Word document, complete the following sections. Each section will be in bold and on a separate line from your response.
Lesson Summary (1 paragraph, 5-7 sentences)
Summarize the main idea(s) of the lesson/chapter in your own words. Focus on what matters most, not every detail.
Key Concepts/Terms (3-5 bullet points)
List the most important concepts, terms, or processes from this lesson/chapter. Each bullet should include a 1-sentence explanation.
Connections to Previous Lesson(s) (3 bullet points)
Explain how today's content builds on, contrasts with, or extends the ideas from the previous 2 lessons/chapters.
Application or Example (1 paragraph)
Show how one concept from this lesson could be applied to a real-world situation, case, problem, or scenario.
Important Quote (1 paragraph)
Select one quote from the text/materials/recorded lecture that you feel most completely reflects the lesson topic, or is the most important. Explain your choice and why it matters.
Optional: Select an AI model and ask it several questions until it answers incorrectly or inaccurately. Include your prompt question, AI's output, and your reasoning for why the answer was incorrect. Why do you think AI messed up?
Here's a template you can provide to students!
CETL's Top Strategies for a Quick & Clear Move to Virtual:
Organize any new or unexpected content into its own module:
Some professors opt to create a new module titled something like "Virtual Class: 1/23/26", to house all the materials and assignments in one spot. This allows for clearer expectations for students.
Organize all changes, new due dates & instructions in a single location or page.
Decide due date exceptions prior to contacting students:
Before you get inundated with questions, carefully consider how you want to handle due dates. Are they staying the same? Will you allow an extension in the event of power outages? Or will it be on a case-by-case basis if they email you? Do any late submission penalties still apply?
Be sure you're knowledgeable on how to adjust due dates and moderate quizzes.
Additionally, you can share expectations for the next 1-2 classes, then tell students you'll post additional plans and due dates in the event that virtual instruction will extend further.
Anticipate Tech Support Needs:
Have IT's contact info on standby to help you or students with technology issues.
Mon-Thurs @ 7:30a - 6p
Fri @ 7:30a - 5p
Help Desk: 817-531-4428
Contact the CETL if you have questions related to making announcements, conducting an online call, or adding lesson content into Canvas.
Mon-Fri @ 8a - 5p
To expedite requests, please contact us via email.
Don't Abandon Your Existing Lessons!
Online learning happens everyday - no need to ditch your plans and timeline!
In class discussion? - Turn it into an online discussion board
In class lecture? - Turn it into a narrated PowerPoint, a video or an online call
Exam? - Use Canvas and be on email standby to answer tech issues/questions
As a reminder - now is not the time to introduce a new tool or software to students! You can successfully execute your lesson(s) online without extra tech.
Consider accepting low-tech submission alternatives:
Students might not have reliable Wi-Fi or device access. Consider which low-tech submission alternatives you'd accept, and include that in your instructions, announcement, or other location in the course.
Online essay submission? Consider a picture of a handwritten paper.
File upload? Adjust the assignment to the "Text Entry" submission type and ask students to type directly into Canvas, instead of a word processing software.
Low tech doesn't mean low rigor:
Online learning can be as rigorous as on-campus learning. Adjust deadlines, tech requirements, and more - but don't shorten assignments, remove them or add useless fluff tasks.
Look for ways to adjust current lessons into an online-friendly format.
Ideas for online learning when the next lesson cannot translate into the virtual space:
Create an assignment where students use AI to analyze their most recent assignment submission and ID areas they could improve in
Task students with fact-finding and resource-sharing on the current topic. Share via Padlet, a discussion board, or a Collaborations shared document (within Canvas)
Use Canvas Collaborations to have students create a shared document, spreadsheet, or PPT simultaneously!
Ask students to prompt AI for a case study related to a specific topic area, then give students a list of questions to respond to in writing or in a discussion board. (Hint: include how many characters should be in the case study, and time/location specifics, and the lesson subtopic)
Use the experience! Ask students to relate a national or global event from the week to the current lesson.
Assigning a reflection writing during the unusual schedule shift has value for writing, English, psychology, and education subject areas. (Are they unable to focus on class content? How are they impacted? How does routine and surprise impact the learning process?)
FAQ's:
FAQ's:
Can CETL help me upload/add my lesson into Canvas? Of course! Please request via email (cetl@txwes.edu).
Can I push back due dates because of these special circumstances? Yep! That's your call to make.
How much flexibility is too much? It's common to extend deadlines for the same length at the disruption to the normal schedule. (i.e. a 2-day impact on the school week would result in a 2-day deadline extension)
How long should a lecture recording last? Science recommends no more than 10 or so minutes, but you could make a mini series!
How do I handle make-ups fairly without drowning? Establish a limited window for submissions with a hard cut off date and time. Let students know how long you might need to complete grading in bulk, so they'll know what to expect.
Can I accept assignments via Outlook email? Not recommended. Student work is considered part of their academic record. If some work lies outside of the learning platform, their record may be incomplete and potentially complicate future processes.
Can I just cancel class and make up the lesson later on campus? No! Faculty are expected to adapt as needed to conduct learning online. If the university announces a campus-wide closure, classes are canceled.
If I post a course announcement, will it go to student emails? This somewhat depends on their notification settings, but normally yes!
I use Respondus. Is there increased risk with off-campus use? Respondus is still effective off campus, however it does react poorly to outages, poor Wi-Fi strength and instable connections. Students will need access to a reliable computer. Use our Respondus page for troubleshooting tips. Be prepared for frozen half attempts or closed exams prompting student emails.
Why are my students suddenly unable to access Canvas? More than likely, they Googled "Canvas", which provide the wrong links. Ask students to go to the main TXWES website and click "Canvas" in the footer at the bottom.
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