FAQ
Q: How should I communicate with my students?
A: Being clear with how and when you wish to communicate with students is extremely important. Communicating with students in advance of the course start date will ensure that students are prepared and informed. Be sure to include in your syllabus how you would like students to contact you if they have questions, as well as how they should expect to receive communications from you, such as class announcements, changes, etc. Visit Student Engagement and Collaboration for more specific information.
Q: Are there any Toolkits available for creating an accelerated course?
A: The Noel Studio and FCT&L have a toolkit specifically designing for planning accelerated courses. These courses often require different interactions between students, faculty, and the material. The toolkit can be found here.
Q: What online tools do you recommend for an online classroom?
A: Tools needed in an online classroom will vary depending on how you wish to convey course material. Some tools for interactive lessons and lectures are available through Canvas, and many others, such as Zoom, are available from outside companies (often at no cost). Refer to the Teaching Tools page for a curated list of online resources to improve your class.
Q: What strategies can I employ for exams using Open-Note/Open-Book?
A: Open-note/open-book exams are recommended for a number of reasons. In an online learning environment, it is difficult to ensure that students do not consult outside materials while taking an exam. Often this leads to the use of inconvenient and costly proctoring services. Read more about Open-Note/Open-Book Exam Strategies here.
Q: What alternatives are there for proctoring exams online?
A: One of the common questions for faculty making the move to remote learning is how to uphold academic integrity on student assessments. While online proctoring services do exist, such services are often expensive, controversial, and inconvenient for students. Learn more about Alternatives to Exams and Exam Proctoring to Encourage Student Learning.
Q: How do I use Canvas?
A: A full list of resources and tools are available here.
Q: What strategies do you recommend for use in a synchronous class?
A: The Noel Studio and FCT&L have prepared a list of curated tips and strategies for use in your classes. Ideas such as polling, office hours, and ways to engage students are some of the best practices outlined. You can view the Synchronous Learning Toolkit here.
Q: How does FERPA tie into an online classroom?
A: As we move toward remote course delivery and the use of online platforms to teach and communicate, it will be important to remember our responsibility to maintain the privacy of student information and education records. Additionally, with more communication happening virtually, keep in mind that some people may use these unique circumstances to try to gain access to information they should not have. For details on FERPA and how it ties into the online environment, please refer to the Registrar’s office guide here.
Q: Does EKU have any pre-made templates I can use?
A: EKU's Communications and Brand Management page has an excellent collection of pre-made templates to use for social media, PowerPoint presentations, research posters, flyers, and more. The full list of these templates can be found here.