OTL Resources for Starting the Term

Resources for Starting Your Courses

Welcome back from what we hope was a wonderful and relaxing winter break. We are excited to jump into the winter term and, soon, the spring semester, and we have many resources to help you start strong.

Our OTL Homepage has a course preparation checklist, a frequently asked questions section, and links to support and resources.
Our Syllabus Statement web page provides sample language that you can use to share information with your students
Our Ed-Tech Knowledge Base has step-by-step guides to help you learn more about Canvas, Zoom, Kaltura, and many more academic technologies.
Visit the Inclusive Teaching Practices website for resources to support inclusivity in your classroom

Drop-In Hours Today

Join us during our ed-tech drop-in hours for support with:

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

Tuesday, January 3, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

You can also book a one-on-one consultation with one of our OTL Instructional Designers. Please note that we are using a new system for booking consultations, so make sure to update your saved links!

Check the OTL Events Calendar for more information and to discover other upcoming events!

Accessibility Tips

UDOIT Tool for Canvas Accessibility

As you prepare for the upcoming term, consider using UDOIT (Universal Design Online content Inspection Tool) to check the digital accessibility of your Canvas courses! Centering digital accessibility allows for all students to have a better experience interacting and engaging with your course. UDOIT prompts faculty to consider elements such as alternative text, style structure, and video captioning. Learn more in the OTL Blog from Instructional Designers Kellie Ferguson and Jeff Schwartz, Using UDOIT to Make Your Canvas Course More Accessible!

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. 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, and request support via the OTL Accessibility Request form.

UDL Your Course

Join us throughout January for more sessions of the UDL Your Course Workshop Series to learn strategies that aim to center the needs of students with disabilities but can also enhance the experiences of all learners.

UDL Your Course Series: Problem Solving Accessible Course Materials

Tuesday, January 10, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

UDL Your Course Series: Assistive Technology and the Canvas Course

Thursday, January 19, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

UDL Your Course Series: Inclusive Classroom Participation

Tuesday, January 24, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

UDL Your Course Series: Flexible Assessment

Tuesday, January 31, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom

Canvas Updates and Reminders

Don't forget to publish!

Once your winter 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 your classes.

Using Zoom in your Canvas Course

Using Zoom from within your Canvas course provides many advantages, such as:

Scheduling recurring class Zoom meetings within Canvas
Accessing Zoom class attendance and poll reports
Starting Zoom meetings within Canvas
Organizing recurring meetings and Cloud recordings
Automatic posting of Canvas Zoom meetings to the student Canvas calendar

Learn more about how to use Zoom in your Canvas course in our Knowledge Base.

Upcoming Events

The Office of Teaching and Learning and the Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs office are hosting several events throughout this term. Visit the OTL Events Calendar to discover other upcoming events!

Every Term Needs a Plan

Wednesday, January 4, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.

Online via Zoom

Equity Workshop #1: Creating Class Guidelines for Peer Engagement

Wednesday, January 4, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

OTL Conference Room (AAC 345)

Explore Technology for Classroom Community Building

Thursday, January 5, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Hyflex - Join us online via Zoom or in the OTL Conference Room (AAC 345)

UDL Your Course Series: Problem Solving Accessible Course Materials

Tuesday, January 10, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online via Zoom