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February 2021
Dear Colleagues,
Science shows that learning often happens in a situation that introduces an element of novelty or disruption, resulting in our brain forging new neural pathways. I see that process as somewhat like ambling down a new hiking trail rather than a familiar one–in doing so we will hear a new bird song or spy a colorful flower or ponder what the landscape may have looked like a decade or a century ago. Those sparks of wonder and curiosity build powerful and lasting learning moments.
It’s with that thought in mind that I consider how the pandemic has enlivened teaching on our campus. In this past year every single Chapman University instructor had to re-think, re-build, and thoughtfully plan each lesson to ensure connection with content and with their class community. It’s no surprise that student course evaluations persistently show higher-than-normal scores and that every faculty member is stretching themselves even further to engage their students. In this milieu we have gained skills and approaches that will inform our teaching practices for the remainder of our careers.
I’m mindful of this as I watched the HyFlex teaching talks given by our peers during JanCon, which exhibited such creativity and persistence. It is also front of mind as I consider how the culture of teaching on our campus will never be the same as it was pre-COVID. Consider what teaching was like then: we had low adoption of Blackboard, faculty did not have Zoom licenses for online office hours, and the largest faculty complaints about classrooms were generally about whether they had ample whiteboard space. Since March we have burst open the walls of our classrooms and have introduced Canvas, Zoom, and an entire suite of ancillary digital tools. In that process we’ve learned that whiteboards can be created and shared on any digital device and no longer need to be drilled into the drywall of our physical meeting spaces.
Thus, my question to you now, is this: how will you carry forward what you have learned about teaching during a pandemic when we return to the familiarity of face-to-face teaching? What specific tools or approaches have worked so well for you and your subject matter, that they will continue to augment your on-campus instruction? I have many ideas of my own on this subject but for now I would really like to learn from you. When you have time please reach out via Teams or drop into my weekly Faculty Office Hour (Tuesdays 1-2) and let’s chat about your teaching. I am all ears.
Sincerely,
Jana Remy
Director, Educational Technology
Co-Director, Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning
Introducing Student Technology Experts
The Student Technology Experts is a new service that will virtually support faculty members with facilitating Zoom class meetings. They will act as the co-host of Zoom meetings to help manage the waiting room, breakout rooms, screen sharing, and monitoring in-meeting chat.
2021 January Conference on Teaching Wrap Up
Recordings, slide decks, and supplemental content are available for review.
Hypothes.is and Gradescope Pilots in Canvas for Spring 2021
Chapman is now piloting Hypothes.is and Gradescope in Canvas for the Spring 2021 term. If you want to join the pilot or learn more about these tools please email Sarah Blake, Instructional Analyst sblake@chapman.edu.
3 Zoom Features to Enhance Virtual Class Meetings
We would like to share 3 new Zoom features with you that will enhance your students’ experience and allow you to share your content easier: virtual seating chart, sharing a video clip from your computer, sharing slides as a virtual background.
Solve Some Zoom Frustration by Only Sharing Part of Your Screen
One potential solution to solve not seeing your students or chat while screen sharing, is to use an advanced sharing feature in Zoom that allows you to share part of your screen.
Recording Available - Teaching Behind a Face Mask with Professor Nick Gabriel
Learn how to effectively communicate with your students while wearing a face mask. Receive tips on improving your articulation, vocal projection, and physicality to help capture your students’ interest and keep them engaged.
Zoom Recordings Copied Daily to Your Microsoft OneDrive
Now that Zoom recordings expire after 120 days, it is good to know that all your Zoom recordings get backed up every day to the Chapman Microsoft OneDrive Cloud. These recordings remain both secure and private.
How to Submit Textbook Adoptions on Follett Discover via Canvas
One way to submit textbook adoptions is to go through Canvas. Since many faculty are on Canvas every day, this might be the easiest way for you to access Follett Discover for your textbook adoptions. View the step-by-step guide.
Black History Month Programming
Throughout the month of February, Chapman University’s Cross-Cultural Center, in collaboration with the Black Student Union, Wilkinson College, the Black Alumni Association and Fitness and Recreation will host numerous events in celebration of Black History Month.
Stop by, share with your students and be an ally this month and every month.
How to Add Pronouns to Your Zoom Profile
Review the steps on how to add pronouns to your Zoom profile by changing your display name. If you are interested in learning more about pronouns and why they can help create a more inclusive environment, you might find this Pronoun Guide from GLSEN helpful
Educational Technology Support Hours
Faculty and staff can join the Educational Technology Services team for instructional technology support via Zoom Monday-Friday, 9:30 am to 11:30 am & 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
IETL Faculty Office Hours
Have a teaching-related question? Drop in to Jana and Melissa's weekly office hours for spring 2021.
Tech Tuesdays
Explore various tech tools with ETS every Tuesday from 12-12:30 p.m. Some topics this month include Zoom updates, adding embed codes in Canvas, and how to use Speedgrader.
Teaching Tips Thursdays
Join ETS and IETL every Thursday from 12 - 12:30 p.m. for a new series that will offer you the opportunity to try out a new teaching strategy and obtain resources to explore further. Some topics this month include Zoom chat tricks for increased engagement and exploring Google Jamboard.
Getting Started with Canvas
Friday, February 12, 12 - 12:45 p.m.
Learn how to upload your syllabus, share content, communicate with your students, and more!
Getting Started with PollEverwhere
Monday, February 15, 12 - 12:45 p.m.
This workshop will offer demonstrations of the main features, including how to create and launch polls and how to connect Poll Everywhere to your Canvas courses, as well as hands-on activities.
Qwickly Attendance in Canvas
Friday, February 19, 12 - 12:45 p.m.
Qwickly allows an instructor to manually take attendance, student check-in through a passcode manually, and automatically grade attendance.
Quick Guide for Remote Teaching
Wednesday, February 24, 12 - 12:45 p.m.
Learn tools and strategies for remote instruction.
Helpful Training Resources are Posted Regularly on the Higher Ed and Technology Blog.
Access Teaching Resources in the IETL Den
Find "Teaching Resources from the IETL" on your Canvas dashboard. We hope you will find the resources in our Den helpful and timely as you navigate teaching in a HyFlex environment, and as you work to maintain engagement and inclusion in the classroom.
Access Technology Resources in the ETS Den
Faculty now have access to Canvas, Panopto, Zoom, EdTech resources, and more within the ETS Den. Look for it on your Canvas dashboard.
Adobe Creative Cloud is available for free to all Chapman faculty, staff, and students
What Students Want: A Simple Navigable LMS Course Design
One of the most important tools instructors have to help establish a productive remote learning experience is one that we do not always talk about: the learning management system (LMS). We often view the LMS as a digital warehouse for course content, and a repository for course grades. It can—and should—be more than this. It can be a vibrant hub of digital classroom activity.
Show Them You Care
Michel Estefan suggests four ways to help build supportive in-person or online classrooms that generate equity among students.
