Transitioning from a face-to-face setting to an online setting for teaching can be a little intimidating if it’s not something you’ve done before. Here are some tips and reminders for how to effectively provide instruction when teaching in an online setting:
- If you have a laptop, take it and your charger home with you nightly. You may not be able to return the following day to retrieve it.
- If you have and use a microphone headset bring it home as well.
- Plan ahead and test important functions before you need to rely on them.
- If at any time you have trouble with accessing Canvas or Zoom, you can reach out to helpdesk@adler.edu.
Faculty Expectations
Based on faculty and student feedback of the Spring 2020 term, the Chief Academic Officers and the Instructional Support and Planning Workgroup, including faculty and staff across the three campuses, established minimum requirements and guidelines for virtual instruction on the Chicago and Vancouver campuses for the Fall 2020 semester. Learn more.
The Online Campus continues to use its Online Campus Faculty Standards for Effective Practice. Learn more.
You Have a Virtual Classroom
Adler University utilizes the Canvas learning management system (LMS) to conduct its online courses. By default, face–to–face courses receive an empty course shell in Canvas that can be populated with your coursework. If this sounds completely foreign to you, do not worry! This document will serve as a resource for making sure your course transitions from face-to-face to online quickly and without issue. Here are a few specific steps to move your course online:
- To access your online course(es), go to the Adler University Canvas LMS and log in using your Adler credentials.
- Check to make sure your courses for this term are visible.
- Check to make sure all of your students are enrolled in the course (Found under the ‘People’ tab)
- Make sure to Publish all of your courses, otherwise, students will not be able to see the courses.
- Schedule a Zoom meeting for your normal class time
- Send your students your:
- Online course URL
- Zoom meeting invite
- Your office hours and communication information
- Further details can be found below. If you have any questions about these steps, please reach out to helpdesk@adler.edu.
Communicate with your Students
Keeping in touch with students is vital during any changes to your class(es). You’ll want to let students know about changes in schedules, assignments, procedures, and broader course expectations. Early and frequent communication can ease student anxiety and save you from dealing with individual questions.
Keep These Principles in Mind
- Communicate early and often: Let students know about changes or disruptions as early as possible, even if all the details aren’t in place yet, and let them know when they can expect more specific information. Don’t swamp them with email but consider matching the frequency of your messages with that of changes in-class activities and/or updates to the broader crisis at hand. For example, if a campus closure is extended for two more days, what will students need to know related to your course?
- Set Expectations: Let students know how you plan to communicate with them and how often. Tell students both how often you expect them to check their email, and how quickly they can expect your response. Let them know, too, if you will be using the Canvas Announcements tool, since they may need to update their notification preferences.
- Manage Your Communications Load: You will likely receive some individual requests for information that could be useful to all your students, so consider utilizing the Course Café area of your virtual classroom, and encourage students to check there for answers before emailing you. When you get questions more than once, post the replies in the discussion and direct your students to it. If students know that you will check there daily for questions, they may begin to post questions to the thread instead of emailing them to you.
Live (Synchronous) Class Meetings
Here at Adler, you can hold synchronous lectures/meetings for your students and recordings for those unable to make the sessions. Adler University utilizes Zoom as a video conferencing tool where up to 100 individuals can join a meeting and share audio and video. Zoom has a screen sharing and presentation mode. You have the option to annotate your shared screen and to record the session to the cloud so that you can upload it for individuals to view on demand. All instructors and students have access to a Licensed account and can activate it by using your Adler University credentials to log in at: https://adler.zoom.us/.
Equipment You Will Need:
- A device with a good internet connection
- Headphones or earbuds with microphone (optional, but highly recommended)
- Web camera (optional, preferred for face-to-face contact)
- A Licensed account, so you can meet for more than 40 minutes
Helpful Tips:
- As the owner of the Zoom room, you can mute participants when their background noise becomes distracting.
- Zoom has a breakout room feature that allows you to put students into small groups and then bring them back for a large discussion.
- Zoom offers live training Monday through Friday. The 30 minute Getting Started sessions include real-time Q&A. You can also watch recorded training sessions hosted by Adler's Department of Educational Design and Innovation (EDI) or by Zoom on demand.
Self-Directed (Asynchronous) Learning
To provide students with activities to take the place of classroom learning, you will want to add course materials to Canvas utilizing the directions referenced below:
This will allow students to work asynchronously on weekly course materials. Any resources you want students to access can be added to Canvas. This includes textbook chapters or sections, library or web articles or videos. You will want to create discussions to mirror the learning, conversation, and engagement which would normally take place in the classroom. Students can submit their assignments as well or take quizzes within Canvas.
To help plan your course workload, you may use the Workload Calculator, a tool that aids in the design process by helping to ensure students can manage the workload for online courses.
Collecting Assignments Electronically
Unlike the physical classroom, Canvas allows your students to submit their activities digitally. Within Canvas, students can submit papers, assignments, and quizzes as well as participate in online discussions. You will be able to view all student activities within Canvas well as download assignments if you’d prefer to grade offline. You can read more about Canvas assignments and activities on the Canvas Help pages.
Grading
The Grades tool in Canvas allows you to maintain your students’ grades online. You can complete grading either through the Gradebook or through individual activities. Learn how to grade individual activities, or if you’d prefer to grade using the grade book.
Communicating Updates, Changes, And Other Relevant Information to Students
In addition to the Announcements tool and the Course Café, Canvas has the Conversations Inbox to communicate with students. Using the inbox, you can communicate with all students or individual students, as you wish. You also can use your Adler email address to communicate directly with students in your course.
Facilitating Exams, Quizzes, or Tests Electronically
Canvas allows you to offer graded and ungraded exams quizzes, exams and tests (ungraded quizzes are called surveys). You will need to create the quizzes by typing or importing questions. Canvas allows you to create multiple-choice, true/false, and essays, among other question types. For additional information on how to create and facilitate student quizzes, view this help article.
Library Services
Online library materials will still be available if there is a closure, however, the Library has no way to process ILLiad requests from off campus. Therefore, if the university closes, ILLiad requests will be unavailable.
Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
Navigating a Course
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/724144-how-do-i-use-the-course-home-page-as-an-instructor
Posting Your Syllabus
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/55577-how-do-i-use-the-syllabus-as-an-instructor
Posting an Announcement
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/50731-how-do-i-add-an-announcement-in-a-course
Creating Assignments
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/67003-how-do-i-create-an-assignment
Adding Content & Files
Grading an Assignment
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/55021-how-do-i-use-speedgrader
Exporting Grades
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/813648-how-do-i-export-grades-in-the-gradebook
Creating Groups within a course
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4152/l/55489-how-do-i-manually-create-groups-in-a-group-set
Leaving Comments and Feedback
https://resources.adler.edu/knowledgebase/leave-feedback-comments/
Adding a Calendar Event
Canvas Mobile App
To make your life a little easier, Canvas has a mobile app that you can download to access all of your courses! Check out the information about the Canvas apps:
iOS
Android
Zoom
Zoom is a great option for online meetings. Zoom’s biggest advantage is that it is already integrated with Canvas and Outlook, and it’s the easiest option if you are meeting with students or non-Adler individuals.
- Verify your Zoom account and establish your Zoom license. Go to https://adler.zoom.us and log in using your Adler credentials.
- Test your equipment by joining the test meeting at https://adler.zoom.us/test
- Review the Zoom Getting Started Guide
- Zoom 101: Sign Up & Download
- Zoom 101: In Meeting Controls (Basic)
- Comprehensive Guide to Educating Through Zoom
- Tips and Tricks for Teachers Educating on Zoom
Things to Cover in the First Zoom Meeting
- Any adjustments to the curriculum.
- How to access materials in the course (resources, etc).
- How students should submit work.
- Adjustments to due dates.
As a remote conferencing tool, Zoom is a flexible platform that allows you to do many different things during a meeting. Below, the links provide you short videos if you need assistance:
- Scheduling a meeting
- Recording a meeting
- Basic Meeting controls
- Troubleshooting audio/video
- Scheduling meetings via Zoom website
If you are a first-time Zoom user or need any assistance, please reach out to helpdesk@adler.edu for any questions.
Panopto
- Verify your Panopto account by logging into https://adleruniversity.hosted.panopto.com/ with your Adler email address and password.
- Review the support resources and tutorials for recording and sharing videos: https://support.panopto.com/s/
Training Webinars
A series of on-demand webinars hosted by Adler's Education Design and Innovation team to help you with Canvas and other technology issues
| Canvas Essentials | Zoom Essentials | Recording with Panopto |
Email and Calendar
To access your Adler email from any computer:
- On your Adler laptop launch the Outlook app.
- If you do not have access to an Adler laptop, access your email on the web by going to https://outlook.office365.com/ and sign in with your Adler email address and password.
- Use the menu in the bottom left-hand corner to toggle between your Email, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks.
- To Sign Out, click on the round profile picture at the top right-hand corner of the screen and select Sign out.
- Use the Outlook app for the best experience on iOS, and Android smartphones.
Voicemail and Phones
- To access your voicemail remotely, call your direct line from any phone, and at the greeting, press *. You will be prompted to enter your pin.
- If you have physical access to your desk phone, please remember to forward your calls to your cell phone for example if you would like to get calls while away from your desk.
- If you do not have physical access to your desk phone and would like your Adler calls forwarded to another number such as your cell phone, please email a request to helpdesk@adler.edu..
- If during this time your job responsibilities require you to make frequent outbound calls to students, please speak with your supervisor. Your supervisor will work with IT to provision a phone you can use from home.
- You may utilize Microsoft Teams to connect with other employees via the Calls function.
VPN and myDesktop
You may gain access to things such as Colleague, Business Objects, and Shared Drives (e.g. K: drive) remotely in two ways:
- VPN service is a way to securely connect to the Adler network remotely. This is allowed from Adler-owned laptops only and typically requires dual VP approval. In this circumstance we are expediting these requests as needed, please email submit a request for access.
- If you do not have an Adler laptop, you can use our MyDesktop tool to remotely access things such as Colleague, SPSS, etc. Learn how to connect.
Working on your Files
File storage at Adler can be broken down into two basic types: Network shares and cloud storage in Office 365.
- Network shares include the F: Drive, I: Drive, K: Drive, and H: Drive. If you need access to these shares remotely, you must use our VPN to gain access. If you currently do not have VPN access configured and need access to one of these file shares, please submit a request for access.
- Adler has begun using Microsoft OneDrive for personal cloud storage. You do not need VPN access to access OneDrive files. You can access OneDrive anywhere, on almost any internet-connected device.
- SharePoint sites and Teams provide team-based document storage and collaboration. These files are not your personal files but are files that belong to and are shared amongst colleagues on the various teams you are a part of. You do not need VPN access to access SharePoint and Teams files. You can access SharePoint and Teams anywhere, on almost any internet-connected device.
- Files stored in OneDrive, SharePoint and Teams can often be worked on by multiple people simultaneously and it’s possible to restore previous versions of files in most cases.
- In the future, Adler IT will begin retiring network shares like the K: drive and helping individual departments and divisions move their files to SharePoint and OneDrive for their file storage needs.
- Remember that departmental files should be stored in a shared location like a Microsoft Teams or SharePoint. While you can share files with anyone from OneDrive, files that have long-term value to your department should always be saved to a shared location.
Microsoft Teams
Teams is another great option for video conferencing and collaboration if Zoom is not working well for you. Teams is a fairly recent addition to the Office 365 suite, and it has quickly become a successful go-to application for group chat, one-to-one chat, video-conferencing with screen sharing, file sharing, and any other collaboration need. Teams is like a virtual office. You and your colleagues can chat about work in real-time, share files and task lists, and easily fire up a voice or video conference that allows you to share screens, a digital whiteboard, and more! You can simply click the “Meet Now” button from any chat, or schedule an online meeting for later.
- Login to Microsoft Teams using your Alder email address and password.
- For the best experience, we highly recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams app to your Adler laptop or mobile device.
- If you do not have access to the teams app on your Adler device, you can also access teams on the web at https://teams.microsoft.com
- Utilize Microsoft Teams to connect with other employees via the Chat function or the Calls function.
- Microsoft Teams Quick Start PDF
- Microsoft Teams Interactive Overview
Library Materials and Services for Chicago Students During University Closure
The Mosak Library is closed, but the librarians are continuing to provide most library services and materials.
- ILLiad, for articles, single book chapters, and electronic dissertations not available through Adler: We are now processing your ILLiad requests again! Requests may take longer to fill as many of the libraries that fill our requests are also closed.
- I-Share, for interlibrary loan of print books: The I-Share system is shut down and it’s not possible to place any new requests. All I-Share libraries are waiving fines, including Adler.
- Reserves: You can see if a book on reserves is available as an e-book through Adler. You can only access e-books owned by Adler, not those owned by other I-Share libraries.
- Library questions: Email library@adler.edu. Just like walking into the Library and asking one of our student workers a question.
- Reference Appointments: If you have any questions, schedule a research consultation appointment with France Brady over over Zoom.
Q&A
How do I get technical support?
The Chicago and Vancouver IT service desks are on call to assist Adler employees and students globally. For fastest response, please email helpdesk@adler.edu or call 1-855-883-0033 24×7 with any technical support questions.
How do I change my Adler password?
Visit passwordreset.microsoftonline.com to use or enroll in our Password Management Tool. You log in and register three security questions. Then, to change your password or unlock your account, simply visit the site, answer the questions, and change your password. This tool works on your phone too!
What if the files I need are stored on a network share like the K: Drive or my H: Drive?
You will need to have a VPN connection on your Adler issued laptop and then map the network drives t your device. Please submit a request for access.
What about Colleague and other administrative applications?
To access Colleague or Business Objects from off-campus you will need to have a VPN connection on your Adler issued laptop. Please submit a request for access.
What’s the best way to have an online meeting?
If you are meeting with a group that uses Microsoft Teams, simply click the “Meet Now” button in a team chat, or schedule a future Teams meeting.
Zoom is another great option and is integrated with Outlook. This may be the easiest solution for meeting with people who are outside of Adler.
Is cloud storage safe and secure?
Cloud storage is safe and secure as long as you understand who you are sharing files with. Adler has agreements in place with Microsoft, Zoom, Canvas and other providers for extended coverage of our HIPAA and PHI data.
How can I get research help?
Email questions to Frances at fbrady@adler.edu. You can also make a Zoom appointment with Frances.
Can I place ILLiad requests for articles, book chapters, and dissertations?
Yes, ILLiad services are now available for articles and single book chapters. Requests may take longer to fill as many libraries around the country are closed or on reduced hours.
Can I place I-Share requests?
No, I-Share for interlibrary loan of books has been suspended by the consortium until further notice. Requests can’t be placed and books in transit will be held until the library reopens.
Can I use the Library’s reserves collection?
You can check to see if your reserve title is available as a library e-book by searching the catalog at https://vufind.carli.illinois.edu/vf-adl/
Please note, you will only have access to e-books owned by Adler, not other I-Share libraries.
My Adler book is due – how can I return it?
You will not incur any fines for Adler books while the campus is closed. Please just return it once you return to campus.
My I-Share book is due – how can I renew it?
You can renew your I-Share book by logging into your I-Share account.
The I-Share Library Guide has detailed explanations to do so:
http://library.adler.edu/c.php?g=497375&p=3805273
My I-Share book is due and I have reached the maximum number of renewals allowed. How can I return it?
You do not need to. All I-Share libraries are waiving fines.
Who do I contact if I have other library questions?
Chicago: library@adler.edu
Vancouver: vanlibrary@adler.edu
Online: onlinelibrary@adler.edu
Additional Resources
- For the latest information at Adler about coronavirus/COVID-19, see: https://www.adler.edu/page/news-events/coronavirus-update
- https://www.chronicle.com/article/Going-Online-in-a-Hurry-What/248207
- Quality Matter Remote Instruction Checklist
- Comcast WiFi Hotspot Locator
- Free WiFi Map in Vancouver
- Comcast offering ‘Internet Essentials’ package free for low-income customers for 60 days