Planning for Winter/Spring Term

Congratulations on completing the fall quarter, and we hope that the end of the fall semester is going well! As a reminder, the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) observes DU's winter holiday closure. Our office will be closed the week of December 25, reopening Tuesday, January 2. The OTL will also be completely virtual during the week of December 18th.

We'd love to help you get a jump-start on your upcoming courses! OTL staff will be available throughout December, and we have many online resources you can access at any time. Visit our Prepping for Next Term resources to access course planning information and a course preparation checklist, and to get answers to your frequently asked questions.

Join us for upcoming events focused on helping you prepare for your courses!

Course Prep Events

Already Using Digication? Digication Kora Webinar

Thursday, November 30, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online

Course Design Institute for the Common Curriculum

December 4 - 13

Designing for Significant Learning

Wednesday, December 6, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

OTL Conference Room (AAC 345)

Canvas Basics Webinar

Tuesday, January 2, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Online

Teaching with AI Workshop: Enhancing Your Syllabus with AI

Wednesday, January 3, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

OTL Conference Room (AAC 345)

Ed-Tech Virtual Drop-In Hours to support:

Importing and updating Canvas course content
Developing and uploading your syllabus
Incorporating Zoom and Kaltura into your courses
And more!

Wednesday, January 3, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 4, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Friday, January 5, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Online via Zoom

Canvas Reminders and Resources

Canvas Template

The OTL has created two Canvas templates that can help you get your Canvas courses set-up quickly and easily - the OTL Advanced Canvas Template and the OTL Canvas Basic Template. These templates utilize CIDI Labs Design Tools to create eye-catching, aesthetically streamlined course shells.

Learn more about each template and which one is right for you in our blog Introducing the Basic and Advanced Canvas Templates. Both templates are available to add to your winter courses through the Canvas Commons. To import the templates in your course, please visit our Knowledge Base for step-by-step instructions. Once you import the template, you will find additional resources within the course for how to use the templates.

Having trouble finding your upcoming courses in Canvas? Visit our Ed-Tech Knowledge Base to learn how to easily access your courses and add them to your dashboard.

UDOIT Tool for Canvas Accessibility

Designed to enhance the inclusivity of your Canvas Course experience, UDOIT Accessibility offers comprehensive feedback on the digital accessibility of your course content and materials. This tool is already integrated into your Canvas courses! Schedule an appointment with our Jeff Schwartz, OTL Instructional Designer or Ellen Hogan, OTL Faculty Developer of Instructional Accessibility to learn more.

Scanned PDFs

Do you use photocopied scanned PDFs in your course? A common practice to procure additional readings for students is to scan a paper copy of text. Often times, these files are not fully accessible to all students, including students who use assistive technologies, students who need to be able to search for key words, and students who like to use digital tools to highlight content. Throughout the month of December, consider being proactive and reaching out for support via the OTL Accessibility Request form. Don’t know if your scans are accessible? Check out the OTL Knowledge Base article on Top 8 Characteristics of an Accessible PDF to learn more!

Don't forget to publish!

Once your course is ready, don't forget to publish your Canvas course to provide access to your students. You have the capability to publish your course at any time between now and the start of the term. Publishing your course before the first day of classes gives your students a chance to start the term prepared!

Course Design Institute for the Common Curriculum

Are you teaching a course in the coming year that is part of DU's Common Curriculum? You may be interested in our first ever "Course Design Institute for the Common Curriculum" which runs December 4 - 13.

This mostly online/asynchronous institute will support you in designing or redesigning a course that results in significant learning – that is, learning that has the potential to change students’ lives in lasting and important ways. If you are already planning to spend some time on course design before the upcoming term starts back up, this is a great opportunity to do that while also learning from and with colleagues from across campus who are teaching courses that are part of the Common Curriculum. Faculty members who complete this institute are eligible for a stipend.

Learn more and register for the Course Design Institute for the Common Curriculum.

Designing for Significant Learning Workshop

Join us for a 90-minute, interactive workshop, that will introduce you to the concept of designing for significant learning – that is, learning that has the potential to change students’ lives in lasting and important ways. You’ll also become familiar with two tools/frameworks – the Taxonomy of Significant Learning and the Three-Column Alignment Table - that can support you in this design work, and have the opportunity to practice applying these tools/frameworks in thinking about the design of your own courses.

Designing for Significant Learning

Wednesday, December 6, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

OTL Conference Room (AAC 345)

Upcoming Events

The Office of Teaching and Learning is hosting several events throughout December and into January. Visit the OTL Events Calendar to discover other upcoming events!

Already Using Digication? Digication Kora Webinar

Thursday, November 30, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online

Course Design Institute for the Common Curriculum

December 4 - 13

Designing for Significant Learning

Wednesday, December 6, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.

OTL Conference Room (AAC 345)

Canvas Basics Webinar

Tuesday, January 2, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Online

Teaching with AI Workshop: Enhancing Your Syllabus with AI