Teaching & Learning
Online Teaching: Frequently Asked Questions
Workshops are available for various technologies, including Blackboard Collaborate (Web Conferencing) and Zoom video conferencing. For information on alternative assessments please refer to the alternative assessment - COVID and Getting Started pages. Information on how to use the technology to support the alternative assessments is provided below. |
General
Q: Should I be using Zoom or Web Conferencing (Collaborate) for my lectures and tutorials?
A: The advice is to use Web Conferencing (Collaborate) for any students engagement related to a specific unit, as then the session and recordings are located within the MyLO unit.
Q: I don’t know how I should be moving my unit online. Who should I talk to?
A: Contact your Learning and Teaching Support Team, who can assist you with identifying the best way to structure your online unit on MyLO .
Q: Can I use Padlet in my unit?
A: Padlet is currently only available to those who have a license. Please let your Learning and Teaching Support Team know if you would like to use Padlet in the future.
Lecture / presentation
Q: How do I record lectures off-campus?
A: You can use Echo360 Personal Capture or alternative. There are some useful videos on things to consider when making a video from home, including this one from Wicking.
Q: How do I get my Echo360 recording/video into MyLO?
A: You can link your recording to your MyLO site.
Q: How can I get my 2019 lectures into my 2020 Echo360 space?
A: You can make an ITS Service Desk request to import your 2019 lectures into your 2020 Echo360 space. You can then retitle and edit the videos, and share on MyLO.
Q: I already have a schedule of automatic recordings in an Echo360-enabled lecture venue. What should I do?
A: For now, the automated lecture recordings will continue to be recorded in an empty venue without you. You can:
- Advise students not to access the automated recordings from a particular date; and/or
- In the Echo360 course, create a collection titled something like ‘Please ignore these recordings’ and reorder the redundant recordings (classes) into that collection.
Alternatively, you can make an ITS Service Desk request for scheduled class recordings to be deleted from the Echo360 course from a particular date.
Q: My unit doesn’t have an Echo360 Course yet, how do I get one?
A:You can request an Echo360 space for your unit through the MyMedia space in the MyLO Manager. Alternatively, contact your Learning and Teaching Support Team.
Q: Is there a general guide for using Zoom?
A: There are several resources available, including Getting Started, Audio, Video & Sharing, Meetings-and-webinars, and Training. There is also a FAQ page for Zoom.
Q: How can I do a narrated PowerPoint (and what is a narrated PowerPoint?)?
A: You can add your voice to narrate your slide show and either link or embed the audio to your presentation. The video in this document shows how to do this. You should be mindful of the size of your file, as this will affect your upload and student download. You can reduce the size of your narrated PowerPoint file.
Q: How can I share a recording from my personal library in Echo360?
A: You can share a recording from your personal library in Echo360 by either sharing directly with an individual or by sharing a link.
Q: Can other staff edit my video in Echo360?
A: You can change the setting in Echo360 to allow co-instructors to edit your content. See above for how you can share you video with an individual.
Q: How can I edit my video into smaller chunks to reduce the file size?
A: In Echo360 you can create a copy of the video and then edit the video into the smaller sections that you want to share.
Tutorial / small group teaching
Q: Should I be using Zoom or Web Conferencing (Collaborate) for my lectures and tutorials?
A: The advice is to use Web Conferencing (Collaborate) for any students engagement related to a specific unit, as then the session and recordings are located within the MyLO unit.
Q: What are the alternatives to on-campus tutorials?
A: You can use MyLO Web Conferencing (Collaborate) for synchronous (real time) learning or the Discussion forums for asynchronous learning.
Q: How do I set up a Web Conference (Collaborate) session?
A: You can set up your own Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session, but please check with your Learning and Teaching Support Team about local practice.
Q: When can I access the Web Conference (Collaborate)?
A: This will depend whether the room has been set up as always available or only available for a specific period of time.
Q: How can someone not enrolled in a unit join a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session?
A: You can invite guests to join your Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session by sharing a web link, a dial in code and phone number, or by invitation.
Q: How can I edit a recording following a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session?
A: You can download the recording and upload it into Echo360 for editing. See below for how to check if you can download your recording.
Q: What information is available for students about Web Conferencing (Collaborate)?
A: There a several guides available to students, including the University guide, and College guides, such as the College of Arts, Law and Education (CALE) and the College of Health and Medicine (CHM). Some College guides are restricted to staff in that College.
Q: Can students access a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session on their mobile?
A: Yes, students can access the sessions one of three ways. They can access it through a web browser (Chrome is recommended) or via the MyLO icon on the UTAS app. They can also dial in using the telephone number and personalised pin for the Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session, but they will be unable to view any content that is shared. Where internet stability is an issue, student may want to join through both the browser to view content and by telephone for audio.
Q: Is there a general guide for Web Conferencing (Collaborate)?
A: Several resources are available on the Staff Resources page. BlackBoard also offers several resources for staff and students. Training for staff is available across colleges.
Q: Is there a general guide for using Zoom?
A: There are several resources available, including Getting Started, Audio, Video & Sharing, Meetings-and-webinars, and Training. There is also a FAQ page for Zoom.
Q: I have finished a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session in one unit. How can I share this across multiple units?
A: You can do this by either sharing the link to the recording (see Share the recordings) or download the recording and upload it into Echo360 for editing. You can then share the Echo360 link. You should ensure your Web Conferencing (Collaborate) has been set up to allow downloading the recording.
Q: How can I see if my Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session can be downloaded?
A: You will need to look in the scheduler to see if the room has been set up to allow users to download recordings. If you are unsure, please contact your Learning and Teaching Support Team.
Q: If I download a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session to edit in Echo306, will student still see the original should I delete the recording in MyLO?
A: If you plan to edit the recording in Echo360 and do not want students to view the original Web Conferencing (Collaborate) recording, once you have uploaded it to Echo360, you can delete the recording. As good practice, ensure it has loaded into Echo360 and you are able to edit and share the edited version before you remove the original.
Q: What do the icons in the Web Conferencing (Collaborate) room mean?
A: There are various icons in a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) room. Note, the timer is currently unavailable.
Group work
Q: How can students working in groups communicate?
A: You can set up discussion forums for groups, but please check with your Learning and Teaching Support Team about local practice.
Q: What information is available for students about Web Conferencing (Collaborate)?
A: There a several guides available to students, including the University guide, and College guides, such as the College of Arts, Law and Education (CALE) and the College of Health and Medicine (CHM). Some College guides are restricted to staff in that College.
Q: Can students access a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session on their mobile?
A: Yes, students can access the sessions one of three ways. They can access it through a web browser (Chrome is recommended) or via the MyLO icon on the UTAS app. They can also dial in using the telephone number and personalised pin for the Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session, but they will be unable to view any content that is shared. Where internet stability is an issue, student may want to join through both the browser to view content and by telephone for audio.
Q: How do I conduct the student presentations that I was planning in an on-campus class?
A: Students can either record and upload a video assignment or if you want them to present it in real time, you can do this in a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session, changing the students’ role from participant to presenter when it is their time to present. To change their role, click the three dots next to their name and select the new role from the list.
Q: Can I allocate my students into groups on MyLO?
A: You can set up groups in MyLO, but please check with your Learning and Teaching Support Team about local practice.
Student presentations or portfolios
Q: What information is available for students about Web Conferencing (Collaborate)?
A: There a several guides available to students, including the University guide, and College guides, such as the College of Arts, Law and Education (CALE) and the College of Health and Medicine (CHM). Some College guides are restricted to staff in that College.
Q: Can students access a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session on their mobile?
A: Yes, students can access the sessions one of three ways. They can access it through a web browser (Chrome is recommended) or via the MyLO icon on the UTAS app. They can also dial in using the telephone number and personalised pin for the Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session, but they will be unable to view any content that is shared. Where internet stability is an issue, student may want to join through both the browser to view content and by telephone for audio.
Q: How do I conduct the student presentations that I was planning in an on-campus class?
A: Students can either record and upload a video assignment or if you want them to present it in real time, you can do this in a Web Conferencing (Collaborate) session, changing the students’ role from participant to presenter when it is their time to present. To change their role, click the three dots next to their name and select the new role from the list.
Q: What personal learning space or online porfolio should I be using?
A: The University of Tasmania has a license with PebblePad. The University has an information page and support information about PebblePad and there are a number of interesting videos to help get you started.
Q: How do I set up a PebblePad assignment?
A: You will need to set up a workspace in PebblePad Atlas.
Q: My students are using PebblePad for the first time. Are there are resources I can direct them towards?
A: The University PebblePad page has information and videos about using PebblePad. There are also many resources in the Help section of PebblePad, including videos and a community forum.
In-class test or central examination
Q: My unit includes a mid-semester exam. I need to find an alternate to a paper exam. What can I use?
A: For information on alternative assessments please refer to the alternative assessment - COVID and Getting Started pages.
Additional resources and support
Q: Where can I access resources on incorporating technology into good teaching design?
A: The staff resource site provides several useful resources. You may also want to look at the websites of the companies that license the software we use as many are responding with additional support
- Desire2Learn (BrightSpace): Moving from Face-to-Face to Online Learning resources.
- Blackboard Ultra Collaborate has a knowledgebase, a community forum, and has already held webinars on this topic.
- PebblePad Online Training Series and PebbleVision (videos)
- Quality Matters: Emergency Remote Instruction Checklist.
Q: What training is available from other organisations
Note: some of these resources link to one-off webinars and some are training courses that may require a commitment over a number of weeks
- Transforming Assessment webinars:
- FutureLearn: How To Teach Online: Providing Continuity for Students
- Quality Matters: Applying the Quality Matters Rubric - Please contact quality.matters@utas.edu.au for further advice and directions. Most importantly, DO NOT ENROLL YOURSELF or else the invoice will be sent to you instead of TILT.
- Why e-learning is killing education | Aaron Barth.
Further information is available at: https://www.utas.edu.au/mylo/staff/staff-resources
If you have a FAQ that you would like to see added to this page, please contact your Learning and Teaching Support Team.