Research Guides: Teaching and Learning Resource Guide for Libraries: Online teaching practices and resources

Training opportunities

OIT Training and Events
The Office of Information Technology offers synchronous and asynchronous training on academic technology tools, Canvas and Zoom among other topics.
CEI Training
The Center for Educational Innovation offers trainings focused on both tools and pedagogy.

Creating Accessible Content

One important thing to remember about online teaching is that access is a primary concern. It is key that you create and share accessible instructional materials, not only for students with disabilities, but students who may have slower internet or limited data, or are accessing your content via a mobile device. The resources listed in this section will give you ideas on how you can create accessible content.

Creating accessible slide presentations
To make sure that everyone in your audience can acquire the same information, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same experiences, learn the fundamentals of accessible slide design, including using preset layouts, readable fonts, descriptive links, and alternative text.
Creating accessible course materials
When developing course materials, incorporate the core skills of accessibility in your course design. Consider common barriers students experience. As you modify or update course materials, identify and correct any materials that are improperly formatted, inconsistent, or disorganized.
Creating accessible documents
We create thousands of documents each day with tools such as Microsoft Office and Google Docs, plus convert them to PDFs and digitize printed documents. But all are accessible only if you make them scannable, searchable, legible, and readable.

This guide is a resource for library staff with instructional responsibilities to learn more about pedagogy, resources and tools.

Grounding Readings for learning about online teaching

Hicks, A. (2015) "LibGuides: a pedagogy to oppress." Hybrid Pedagogy
"LibGuides have now expanded beyond their original research guide design, and are marketed as a core instructional tool for academic, public, school and special libraries. Simple and practical, LibGuides are deservedly popular. However, by failing to consider LibGuides within the context of broader pedagogical practices, librarians run the risk of misrepresenting both the nature and the scope of research and inquiry."
Morris, S.M. (2020) Technology is not Pedagogy.
"We have not coded for the human in education, and so, unless we know how to seek it out past digital platforms, algorithms, and surveillance tools, the human is largely left out of online learning."
Bali, M. (2014). An affinity for asynchronous learning. Hybrid Pedagogy. 2014 (March 04).
"People do not always ask themselves if what they are trying to do necessarily requires synchronous interaction (or audio or video, for that matter). And they often forget to consider these access issues (among others that we have not mentioned). Though these are not pedagogical reasons per se, they are in our view important…pre-pedagogical!"
Online Learning Consortium resources on remote learning
The Online Learning Consortium has a series focused on topics addressing key issues for transitioning from emergency remote teaching to continuing to respond to the COVID-19 crisis while providing high-quality online learning.
Cottom, T. (2019) Rethinking the Context of EdTech Educause Review Summer 2019

Important definitions

Online learning

Online learning is learning that has been intentionally planned to be taught online. Online learning can happen synchronously or asynchronously. It can be static, like a online tutorial, or interactive like a discussion board or Zoom class.

Synchronous learning

The session is at a pre-specified date and time, using an online meeting tool like Google Meet or Zoom.

Asynchronous learning

A session conducted without a pre-specified time and date. Asynchronous sessions can come in the form of discussion boards, collaborative Google docs, online learning objects, LibGuides or on email. The amount of interactivity between an instructor and student can vary greatly.

Remote learning

Remote learning/remote teaching is usually used when there is a quick or emergency move to online learning, where there has not been an intentional plan to have the learning and teaching be online.

Tools for online teaching and learning

Using Zoom

Zoom is an online meeting tool that works for both synchronous meetings and recording screen captures for asynchronous learning.

Zoom: Teach, Meet and Learn with Zoom
This guide from OIT is for anyone who wants to use Zoom for basic teaching, meeting, and learning tasks.
Using Zoom to conduct online class sessions
From UMN's OIT, this page has tips and tricks (including a sample agenda) for conducting a synchronous class.
Learning more about Zoom
This video playlist created by Academic Technology Support Services, contains tips and tricks for some of the more advanced, but really helpful features in Zoom. (You may even see a University Libraries' staff member make a cameo!)
How to use Zoom
Youtube playlist from ATSS with many tutorials on how to best use Zoom

Using Canvas

Canvas Overview
Canvas is an online platform used by faculty and staff to provide learning materials and activities that may supplement a face-to-face or blended course, or deliver a fully online experience. Additional learning tools can be added on to Canvas to extend the core functionality and features of the system.
Getting started with Canvas for instructors
While aimed at course instructors, this website gives good information on how to get a Canvas development site.

Using LibGuides

LibGuides are a great tool to use for asynchronous teaching, or to support your synchronous teaching.

LibGuides Basics - created by the LibGuides Leads

Creating Screencasts

Screencasts are a great tool for recording demonstrations of databases or showing how to do something. Screencasts can be formal or informal, but should follow best practices for student learning and accessibility.

Using Screenpal to create screencasts
Screenpal makes creating screencasts and screenshots relatively easy.

Creating Videos

ATSS (Academic Technology Support Services) developed this video with some great tips and tricks for recording videos on your smart phone.

Kaltura MediaSpace
Kaltura is a media management platform for teaching, learning, and outreach purposes. This cloud-based system automatically optimizes video files for viewing on any device, includes strong accessibility functioning, powerful search features, and deep analytics about who is watching videos and for how long.

Campus resources for online teaching

Guidelines for online teaching and design
The Guidelines for Online Teaching and Design is a resource that assists members of the University community (e.g., faculty, instructors, administrators, instructional designers) in supporting student learning in online courses and programs. The Guidelines cover a range of topics and resources critical to providing an effective learner-centered online experience.
Resources for fall instruction from UMN's Center for Educational Innovation
The UMN's Center for Educational Innovation created a resource guide for instructors including information about Hybrid, HyFlex, and socially distanced face-to-face instuction options.
Accessibility and accomodation resources from the Disbility Resource Center
CEHD fall teaching resources
CEHD created a site for their faculty and instructors to use to prepare for fall. It includes goals, guiding principles, best practices and how-to information.

Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024 12:20 PM