Teaching with Technology

Find the Right Technology

I want to...

• Make text-based content available to my students

  Canvas

  Canvas is the University of Denver’s Learning Management System. Consult the Canvas help guides or schedule a consultation with the OTL staff for additional resources.

  Library physical reserves/e-reserves

  Physical Reserves – Physical books and videos are available at the Main Library Lending Desk for a limited loan period.

  Electronic Reserves – Articles, book chapters, syllabi, and other electronic documents made available in ARES through Canvas for your course(s).

• Make media (videos, images, and audio) available to my students

  Kaltura

  Kaltura is our newest media management system that is available in Canvas. Kaltura can manage large amounts of digital media (video, images and audio) files.

• Record my computer based presentation or tutorial

  Kaltura or ZOOM

  Kaltura & ZOOM both allow DU faculty, staff and students to create screencasts: video recording of the computer screen, audio voice over and an optional camera view of the presenter. Once recorded and uploaded, a sharable weblink is automatically produced and available for the video to be viewed online.

• Hold a live session online (office hours, guest speaker, virtual classes)

  ZOOM

  Use for live webinars, virtual classes, on-demand presentations, group collaboration, and multiuser text chat.

• Gather feedback from my students during class time

  Top Hat 

  Top Hat is a comprehensive active learning platform that allows instructors to engage students for remote or in-class instruction in synchronous and asynchronous formats. The platform provides the ability for instructors to incorporate interactive content, create interactive slides, graded questions, videos, discussions, polls, and more. 

• Allow students to post videos of themselves (giving a presentation, playing music, performing)

  Flipgrid 

  Flipgrid is a video discussion platform to help faculty and students engage in dynamic conversations about course content. The platform promotes social learning through the translation of text discussions to video-based discussions. And the tool easily integrates with Canvas!

  Kaltura or ZOOM

  Kaltura and ZOOM both offer video recording, storage and delivery options for students. If you have an specific questions, please contact us kaltura@du.edu

• Hold an asynchronous (not live) discussion with my students

  Canvas Discussions

  Asynchronous discussions may be used to facilitate and promote critical thinking. The Canvas discussion board allows both students and instructors to start and contribute to discussion topics.

• Create a space for student groups to collaborate on a project

  Canvas Groups

  Groups function like smaller versions of your course and provide students with a collaborative workspace to share files, collaborate on activities, and prepare group assignments.

  Digication

  Digication is a web-based application that individuals and groups at DU can use to create ePortfolios.

• Create a space for students to write essays, journals, or upload files

  Canvas Assignments

  Assignments provide opportunities for students to demonstrate comprehension of course material.

  Instructor feedback on assignments submitted in Canvas is provided to students using SpeedGrader, an inline-grading tool that eliminates the need to download and export files to a word processor. Grades entered in SpeedGrader are automatically sent to the Gradebook allowing students to see their scores, reviewer comments, and feedback.

• Have my students display their work (text, documents, pictures, video, or other multimedia) on a DU website

  Digication

  Digication is a web-based application that provides electronic portfolios for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

• Allow students to collaborate on a digital bulliten/white board

  Padlet 

  Padlet is a digital bulletin board that is collaborative and interactive where you can create a single or multiple “walls” for various posts. Collaborators can simultaneously generate and organize posts of any content type, whether text, documents, images, videos, audio, or links. Students can see all the postings and comment or vote on them if the board owner allows.

• Allow students to annotate a digital reading in canvas

  Padlet 

  Padlet is a digital bulletin board that is collaborative and interactive where you can create a single or multiple “walls” for various posts. Collaborators can simultaneously generate and organize posts of any content type, whether text, documents, images, videos, audio, or links. Students can see all the postings and comment or vote on them if the board owner allows.

Commonly Used Technologies

Canvas

Canvas is the University of Denver’s Learning Management System (LMS), providing a secure environment for online, face-to-face, and hybrid courses. Canvas is managed according to the Learning Management System Guidelines. For additional guidance on Canvas usage, please visit our Knowledge Base Canvas articles. 

• Logging into Canvas

  Login to Canvas with your DU credentials at: http://canvas.du.edu

  Chat with Canvas Support 24/7 365 days/yr

  Canvas Support Hotline (Faculty): call 1+(833) 291-3240

  Canvas Support Hotline (Students): call 1+(855) 712-9770

  DU – Office of Teaching and Learning: otl@du.edu

  Current Canvas System Status

  DU Canvas System Status History (Data is up to 24hrs old)

• Tips for first-time Canvas users

  For best results using Canvas, make sure your computer meets the basic specifications and use a supported browser. If you’re just getting started, you may want to update your Canvas profile and customize your notification preferences.

• Setting up your Canvas course

  To set up your Canvas course, you can start from scratch, import a template, or copy content from a previous course.

  If you are going to start from scratch, we encourage you to read about best practices for an online course and use the multi-tool to build modules more efficiently.

  To import the OTL Canvas template, follow the step-by-step instructions in this handout. You can also preview the template in the Canvas Commons before importing. Once you import the template in your course, check-out the facilitators resources module to learn more about using the template.

  To copy content from a previously taught Canvas course, follow the step-by-step instructions in this Canvas Community Guide. You can adjust due dates as needed for the upcoming quarter.

• Are you teaching more than one section

  You can cross-list your sections so all students are together in one Canvas course.

• Minimum requirements for all Canvas courses

  To begin, instructors should populate the Syllabus in their Canvas course. Try using Cidi Labs Design Tools Template Blocks to enhance the organization, navigability and accessibility of your Syllabus page. We also encourage you to consider including Covid-19 related accommodations and policies. Check out our Sample Syllabus Statement page for more.

  Assignments are another important element in any Canvas course. Any assignments created in the Assignments tool will automatically show up in Grades, Calendar, and the Syllabus Course Summary. All courses are required to have a place for students to submit assignments online. Assignments can be weighted by creating assignment groups.

  Modules are another component of course organization that can be set up weekly or thematically depending on your course structure. Modules should include relevant pages, assignments and links to course content. You are required to host content in Canvas which could include handouts, readings and other instructional materials. Link these materials to the appropriate weekly module for easy access. 

  If your course is meeting synchronously, be sure to set up your recurring Zoom sessions in your Canvas course.

  For more information on the minimum requirements for a Canvas course, download our Course Checklist.

  DON’T FORGET TO PUBLISH!

  Once you get your course set up, you’ll want to make sure you publish your course so students can access it.

• Learn about all the Canvas tools

  Don’t stop there! Browse the Canvas Instructor Guide to get familiar with all the tools available in Canvas, and then start using the ones that make sense for your course.

  Once you have decided which tools you’ll be using in your course, it’s best to hide the tools you’re not using so students only have access to what they need.

• Need additional Canvas support?
  • The Canvas Community is an incredible resource for answering questions.
  • Chat with Canvas Support 24/7 365 days/yr.
  • Canvas Support Hotline (Faculty): call 1+(833) 291-3240
  • Canvas Support Hotline (Students): call 1+(855) 712-9770
  • If you need assistance with something in Canvas that’s specific to your department, contact your unit’s Canvas Administrator.
  • For Canvas training, check-out our upcoming sessions of Canvas Coaching or Canvas Office Hours on the OTL Event Calendar.
  • Our Canvas articles in the OTL Knowledge Base include more FAQs, tech support, and information on external tools.
  • Canvas courses receive updated student and faculty enrollments from our Ellucian®Banner Student Information System every 2 hours from 7am to 11pm daily.
  • Access Online Resources for Students for student facing resources.
  • For any additional questions, please contact The Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) at: otl@du.edu

  
   

 

Kaltura 

Kaltura is our campus-wide video management system that is integrated with Canvas.   For additional guidance on Kaltura usage, please visit our Knowledge Base Kaltura articles. 

• Why should I use Kaltura?
  • Canvas course integration
  • Upload videos, images and audio files into Canvas using Kaltura.
  • Unlimted media storage
  • Automatic video captions
  • Apply quiz questions to videos to ensure your students understand the content.
  • Organize and share content for students using playlist features.
  • Check analytics to monitor which students are watching your course videos.
  • Share your videos with other University members
• Popular Videos
  • Kaltura Kick-Start
  • How to create PowerPoint lecture video using Kaltura
  • Kaltura and Canvas Increasing engagement using interactive videos (webinar)

  • 1 – Kaltura Video Tips – Preparation
  • 2 – Kaltura Video Tips – Recording Video
  • 3 – Kaltura Video Tips – Recording Audio
  • 4 – Kaltura Video Tips – Post-Production
• Additional Resources
  • Canvas-Kaltura User Guide (PDF)
  • Kaltura how-to articles on the OTL Knowledge Base
  • Kaltura Knowledge Base
  • For technical Kaltura questions, please reach out to a Kaltura Admin: KalturaAdmin@du.edu
  • For questions about teaching with Kaltura, please email the OTL: otl@du.edu 

 

Student Response Systems (Clickers and TopHat)

Using Student Response Systems is an effective way to create an interactive learning environment that:

• Bridges accessibility gaps
• Engages students by promoting classroom participation
• Creates dynamic distance learning environments

DU has two Student Response System options which both have the option of integrating into the Canvas LMS: TurningPoint Clickers and TopHat.

• TurningPoint Clickers

  What are TurningPoint Clickers?

  Clickers are response cards that are used to vote on questions projected in the classrooms. Clickers use radio frequency technology to transmit and record student responses to questions and instructors use them to help keep their students engaged in what’s going on in class.

  How Does it Work?

  TurningPoint is a hybrid hardware- and software-based student response system. Responses are collected using a small wireless USB receiver that plugs into the computer in the classroom and are displayed in a histogram when voting has finished. At the instructor’s discretion, students may use their mobile phones, tablets or laptop browsers in lieu of the hardware-based clicker.

  Setup and Fees

  Clickers require that software is installed on the computer that is being used to present in the classroom.  Instructors must create an account with TurningPoint to download the software. DU is using Turningpoint Version 8.

  Students must purchase clickers from the DU Bookstore and instructors should include orders for clickers in their book orders. The clicker is the property of the student and comes with a 12-month software license. The OTL may have clickers available for instructors teaching small classes (less than 40) to check out. Fill out the Turning Point Clicker Request Form to find out if they are available for reservation. 

  Instructors can automatically load student’s clicker scores into Canvas. Please see our help article for specific instructions to set up this integration.

• Top Hat

  What is Top Hat?

  This web-based software helps educators take attendance, administer polls, games and quizzes, and share lecture notes—all by connecting to students’ mobile devices or laptops (think clickers, except bring-your-own-device).

  How does it work?

  Top Hat can be used through any mobile device by texting, any smart device through their app or through a web browser. Students will have to log into Top Hat on their devices.

  Why use Top Hat over traditional clickers?

  With Top Hat, the student is already carrying their mobile device or laptop to class and uses the technology already built into their web-enabled devices to record their answers. Top Hat also allows for more types of questions to be asked, such as image based, hot spot mapping, formula and short answer questions within the classroom rather than just multiple choice questions. Answers can be tied to the Top Hat gradebook or can be collected anonymously.

  Won’t students be distracted with their phones or attempt to cheat?

  Top Hat has anti-cheating measures in place to ensure the integrated of the classroom. If a student leaves the Top Hat browser or app, they will be lock-out of answer the question. Top Hat is only using the updated technology, that students already carry around with them daily, to allow for a faster, more convenient, quizzing experience.

  Below are links to some of TopHat’s Guides.

  How Top Hat Works

  Professor Quick Start Guide

  Recorded Tutorial – Intro to Top Hat

  Live Tutorial Sessions – Intro to TH (for new users)

  Live Tutorial Sessions – TH Refresher (for existing users)

• Setup and Fees

  Instructors can automatically load student’s clicker scores into Canvas. Please see our help article for specific instructions to set up this integration.

  TopHat requires each student to purchase a license from Top Hat to use their computer or mobile phone. The app can be purchased for 4 months at $25, 12 months at $36, or $72 for your student career.  Sign up here.

  There is no charge for a professor to use TopHat in their course. Sign up here.

• How should I use a student response system?

  It is no secret that students will be more engaged and involved when they are asked meaningful questions.  Meaningful questions require students to think critically and allow instructors to address student needs.

  • For additional information on asking meaningful questions, please see the list of suggested question types from Turning Technologies.
  • Additionally, there are several learning theories supported by the use of clickers including Active Learning and Assessment for Learning.  For more information, please see the list of learning theories supported through the use of clickers.
• How can I get started?

  Getting started: Tophat

  Getting started: TurningPoint

  Both TurningPoint and TopHat provide 1:1 training for these devices.

 

Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based video communications service that offers the ability to create high-quality online meetings, classes, and events that leverages Instant Messaging, video conferencing, breakout rooms, screen-sharing, and whiteboards.

• Login to Zoom

  DU: http://udenver.zoom.us
  Canvas: https://canvas.du.edu -> Your Course ->ZOOM

• Why might I use Zoom as an instructor?
  • Faculty can hold virtual office hours and invite remote guests into the classroom for a presentation.
  • ZOOM is built into each Canvas course. This is the recommend method for accessing ZOOM class meeting.
  • Class meetings can be recorded to allow students the opportunity to review your lecture.
  • Students can meet online to chat and work on a group project.
  • ZOOM has several interactive features (chat,  poll questions, annotation drawing tools, breakout rooms) to get students engaged.
  • Students can also create and host their own meetings for group projects.
  • ZOOM can provide accessibility features (closed captions and transcript) to improve accessibility.
• Popular Zoom articles and videos
  • Using ZOOM in Your Canvas Course
  • Taking Attendance Using Zoom
• Training and support resources
  • Zoom 24 Hour Support: call (888) 799-9666 option  2
  • DU IT Support Ticket
  • DU ZOOM Support Articles
  • ZOOM Support Articles
  • Current Zoom System Status

  Still have questions? Create an Incident for Information Technology to assist with Zoom.

• Support Videos

   

   

Need more information?

Please direct all general inquiries about teaching, learning, technology or assessment to: otl@du.edu or call us at 303-871-2084.

If you have specific questions regarding the following technologies or if you would like more immediate assistance, please contact:

Canvas LMS Support: 24-hour Phone Hotline: (833) 291-3240

Zoom Videoconferencing Support: 24-hour Phone Hotline: (888) 799-9666

ePortfolio Questions: otl@du.edu

Kaltura Questions: kaltura@du.edu

Having trouble logging into DU applications such as Canvas? Contact the IT Help Desk at 303-871-4700 to reset your DU passcode.