Teaching Remotely for Instructors
When you are unable to teach in a face-to-face classroom setting on campus, UNLV provides a number of tools that empower you to teach from anywhere. Follow these tips to stay connected with your students and keep your class on schedule.
Preparation
What do you and your students need for online learning? It is important instructors have access to a computer or mobile device and an internet connection. You will need a microphone and webcam (may be built into your device) for some online techniques. You must have antivirus software installed on your device, and you can also request additional options for using software remotely.
Transitioning Your PedagogyTest Equipment
Before you officially move your class online, you should make sure these technologies work. You can test them with a colleague, a student, or the IT Help Desk.
Student Essentials
Determining if your students have the technology they need to complete their coursework is also key to teaching a virtual class. Asking them a few simple questions will help you plan for student needs. Consider changing your teaching approach if your students use Chromebooks. The device functions poorly, or not at all, with videos and other instructional technologies.
Training
Self-Paced, Online Training
Convert Classroom Online Guide
Instructor-Led Training (in person and online)
Group or Departmental Training
Open Virtual Labs
Communicate with Students
The most important thing you can do for your students is to communicate clearly with them about how the class will run.
Decide how you will communicate with your students - and tell them
Since WebCampus is the primary hub for online and hybrid teaching at UNLV, it makes sense to use the email in WebCampus to communicate with your students. Studies show that students prefer to have one place where all communication, instructional content, and educational resources are housed.
Remind students to set notifications to receive emails
Make sure that your communication about how you plan to instruct online is received by all students. They may have turned off their email notification in WebCampus, so using the MyUNLV roster email list is another alternative for contacting your class.
Stay in touch and check in frequently
WebCampus offers a variety of ways to communicate with your students. You can post announcements, have conversations on a discussion board, use traditional email, or even have virtual office hours or real-time classes (via video conference).
Give them a chance to give you feedback
Online instruction is a big change for students. Do not wait until the end of the semester to find out how things are going. Use a WebCampus survey or send an email to ask students what is working and what is not working. Consider adjustments to improve their experience and their learning outcomes.
Be transparent and open
Teaching online might initially feel very uncomfortable, even unnatural for you, especially if the circumstances were abrupt or unplanned. Try to stay calm and centered. Not everything you do will work as you hope; however, some things may work much better than you planned. Your students are adaptable - they just want you to lead the way. It is okay to admit you made a mistake or that you are still learning how to use a particular technology. Most of your students will appreciate your candor.
Tips for Teaching Remotely
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Post class materials online
Use WebCampus to post assignments, facilitate discussions, and share presentations. You can also post videos from YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn Learning, or the UNLV Libraries’ film collection to enhance your course. Please observe copyright and fair use laws.
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Create accessible learning materials
Resources are available to help you develop materials that are accessible for all students, including those who use assistive technologies to access digital content. Provisional services will be temporarily available to assist instructors as they transition their courses online.
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Encourage your students to communicate with each other
Suggest they use email, Google Hangouts Chat, Google Hangouts Meet, text messages, or other technologies to connect with their peers. Group projects can easily move forward with different collaboration applications like GoogleDocs and Google Drive.
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Assess your students
Create assignments, surveys, and quizzes in WebCampus. The gradebook feature allows you to enter and view grades for your students. Add an assignment that requires students to acknowledge the UNLV Academic Misconduct Policy. You can also follow these assessment tips to help prevent cheating.
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Incorporate video
Choose which video tool to use in your online instruction.
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Record a lecture
Lecture Capture (Panopto) allows you to record audio, video, computer screen, and other content, and integrates with WebCampus for easy access and viewing.
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Teach a live course online
With its robust conference and collaboration features, WebEx can be used to deliver live lectures and presentations. The tool includes screen sharing, instant messaging, and file sharing. You can also use it to host virtual office hours to meet with your students. Google Hangouts Meet is another solution for hosting virtual group meetings and one-on-one video chats. Some features include automatic live captioning, screen sharing, and ability to record and share sessions. Google temporarily granted UNLV accounts the ability to host meetings for up to 250 participants.
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Access library materials
Students can access library resources online to complete research and class projects. The library also has resources you can use to help you teach online.
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Download free and discounted software for remote use
Students, faculty, and staff can request temporary licenses for selected software. Check the list for the most up-to-date software information.
Stay Cybersafe
Practicing good security habits is key to protecting you and the university from cyberattacks. As a good digital citizen, you can prevent data breaches and cybercrime by following Smart Computing guidelines for phishing, social engineering, and other hacking attempts. Installing antivirus and updating software and applications are essential.
Technology Support
You can reach out to the IT Help Desk for technical assistance on these remote services.