Teaching Remotely for Instructors
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
There is equipment you need for online instruction. Make sure you test your devices and internet capabilities, prepare your course and syllabus, and communicate with your students before you begin the semester.
Student Essentials
Determining if your students have the technology they need to complete their coursework is also key to teaching a virtual class.
You may need to change your teaching approach if your students use chromebooks. The device functions poorly, or not at all, with videos and other instructional technologies. Read article >>
Internet Service
Cox Communications is offering home internet service at a discounted rate to UNLV students. Discover which Cox Cares internet plan fits your learning remotely needs.
Training
Online Course Improvements
Self-Paced, Online Training
Convert Classroom Online Guide
Instructor-Led Training (in person and online)
Group or Departmental Training
Open Virtual Labs
WebCampus
WebCampus is the hub for all your instructional activity. It allows you to organize class content using modules and the calendar feature. You can also communicate with your students, facilitate class discussions, and streamline grading. Panopto, Webex, student response systems, and other technologies are integrated into WebCampus.
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.
Lecture Capture and Web Conferencing Tools
Incorporating video in your instruction can enhance the educational experience. Determine which video tool is right for you and how to use it in the classroom
Lecture Capture
You can use Panopto to record and edit lectures at home or in a classroom. Students view them at their convenience.
Web Conferencing
Webex makes it easy to offer virtual office hours to your students. You can also use it to host live class discussions, big or small.
Tips for Teaching Remotely
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Post class materials online
In addition to posting assignments and sharing presentations, you can 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. 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. They can collaborate using G Suite 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. To deter unauthorized assistance during online exams, you can leverage Respondus tools or follow these assessment tips.
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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. You and your students can also leverage Gartner’s IT-related insights for your research, classroom materials, and business projects.
Computer Labs
Campus computer labs are open with reduced hours. As an alternative, students can use RebelApps to virtually access more than 40 academic software titles.
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.