Online Teaching Quick Reference

Online Teaching Quick Reference

Quick Links:         Academic Calendar | SPIRE | Blackboard | Moodle

This page contains resources to support instructors teaching online in the College of Education (fully online, hybrid, or remote). This page is currently under development, if you have resources you would like to have included, or corrections, please contact zinn [at] umass [dot] edu (Fred Zinn). 

 

Technology Help

The EdTech office in the college of education provides assistance with general technology issues. 
Contact: edtech-ithelp [at] umass [dot] edu

Teaching Support

The Online Programs and Digital Learning office in the college provides assistance with online teaching techniques, course design, and program development.
Contact: digitallearning [at] umass [dot] edu

Student Support

Students can receive support directly from their programs 
Higher Education Leadership: info-leadership [at] umass [dot] edu (info-leadership[at]umass[dot]edu)
International Education: internationaled [at] umass [dot] edu
Early Grade Reading: egrcert [at] umass [dot] edu (egrcert[at]umass[dot]edu)
Supporting Online Students

Library Resources

Online students can access UMass Amherst library resources by using their NetID to login.
UMass Amherst Library
Library Resources for Online Teaching

Academics

Academic logistics and issues not covered within the program.
Contact:  Graduate Programs: gpd [at] educ [dot] umass [dot] edu (gpd[at]educ[dot]umass[dot]edu)
                 Other academic issues: education [at] umass [dot] edu
Academic Affairs Office

Contracts & Employment

For questions about contracts and other employment issues.
Contact: Departmental Administrators
                 educhr [at] educ [dot] umass [dot] edu (educhr[at]educ[dot]umass[dot]edu)
College of Education Departments 
Human Resources (HR) Office 

College of Education Resources

College Quick Reference page (offices and who to call)
People in the College of Education
Directory of Offices - College of Education

University Resources

Academic Calendar (Provost Office) 
People at UMass Amherst (IT’s Peoplefinder)

Online Teaching Best Practices

Online Teaching Best Practices

If you are new to teaching online, running into a challenge, or simply interested in trying something new, the following groups and resources can help.   

Online Teaching Principles 

Teaching a fully online class requires the same essential instructional skills as in-person instruction.  The difference is that familiar techniques that are second nature in the classroom require more intention an planning: especially those related to providing structure, modeling learning behaviors, and creating connection and community among students. 

The IDEAS group on campus has an excellent set of resources on their Online Teaching Resources page that cover the basics of teaching online, as well as deep dives into other issues 

Foundations of Online Teaching

Structure, Design & Accessibility

Developing Assessments

Encouraging Engagement

Communicating Effectively

Access and Equity in Online Classes 

Online learning offers opportunities for people who aren’t typically able to attend full-time, in-person programs. In order to help make sure they succeed, make sure your course is designed to support people who don’t match the model of a “typical” student.  

Want to learn more?  Additional resources and help are available from

Online Programs and Digital Learning - College of Education 

Center for Teaching

Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS)

 

New Semester Checklist for Online Classes

New Semester Checklist for Online Classes

As a new semester approaches, you can help your students (especially new students) get off to a smooth start by doing the following: 

1. Prepare your course site in the LMS (Blackboard, Moodle, or other*) 

Students will have access to courses in the LMS starting the week before classes begin ("Preview Week,") so make sure that when the access the LMS* they can find basic course information, the syllabus, the first two weeks of content, and anything else that will help them feel settled and ready. 

*If you are not using Blackboard or Moodle as the primary tool for teaching this course, students may still end up looking for your class in the LMS. So be sure to include at least one page in the LMS with basic information about the class, your contact information, the syllabus, and a link to the other tool(s) you are using. 

1. Send an email to students welcoming them to the course

Within a week or two of the start of class, use your UMass email or the announcement feature of the LMS to send a short note to your students that includes your contact information, a link to the syllabus, a link to the LMS, and any other information they will need before the first day of classes.  

For a more detailed checklist of suggestions see the New Semester Course Checklist.

Building an Online Community of Learning

Building an Online Community of Learning

Consider adding the following to your class to help make your online students feel more supported and connected to the class community.

  • Post a recorded welcome statement from you (video or audio) in which you introduce yourself, your goals for the class, and your approach to teaching.
  • Ask students to fill out a survey or introduce themselves in a discussion so that you have a sense of what they bring to the course (goals, concerns, skills, knowledge, pets)
  • Create an open discussion forum that students can use for community building. First to introduce themselves to each other, and then to ask questions, share ideas, and support. 
  • Post a draft of community norms that you expect students to follow when interacting online. Invite students to discuss norms as a group and offer additions & revisions. 
  • Include language in the syllabus and on the site that addresses the ways students can struggle (especially during a global pandemic) and openly invite them to contact you for help if they need it. (Note that not all students know that this is something they are allowed to do, especially students who are first generation, international, or who belong to other marginalized identities.)
  • Describe what steps you want students to take to show engagement if they need to miss a live class or skip a week to care for family, health, or other obligations.  

For more advice on community building refer to these handouts: 

Support for Online Students

Support for Online Students

For urgent issues related to a student’s well-being 

For emergencies involving potential loss of life or bodily injury, contact local emergency services (911, hospital, or appropriate hotline.) Check the UMass Amherst Crisis Resources (a.k.a the "Maroon Folder.") for a complete list of offices, hotlines, and resources that can assist students in crisis.

Crisis Support: If you have been contacted by, or are aware of, a student in crisis, you can refer them to the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (which has a 24/7 crisis line), contact the Dean of Students Office at (413) 545-2684, or look for specific services and hotlines in the UMass Amherst Crisis Resources (a.k.a the "Maroon Folder.")  

Online Learning Orientation and Support:

These resources are especially helpful for students who are new to online learning.
We recommend sharing these resources in your introductory communications and linking them from your site.

General Academic Support:

Technologies for Online Teaching

Technologies for Online Teaching
SPRING 2024 UPDATE: Canvas has replaced Moodle and Blackboard for all courses
Canvas has replaced Moodle and Blackboard as the primary learning management system (LMS) at UMass Amherst. Moodle will be available for teaching only under special circumstances in Fall 2024. Blackboard is no longer available for teaching as of Summer 2024. All teaching materials and student data that may be needed in the future should be backed up as soon as possible before Moodle and Blackboard are turned off (likely soon after Spring 2025).  

Canvas Access and Documentation

Getting Started:

Getting Help: 

Blackboard Access and Documentation

NOTE: Blackboard is no longer available for teaching and will be turned off after Spring 2025.

Getting Started:

Getting Help: 

Moodle Access and Documentation

NOTE: Moodle is only available for teaching under special circumstances, and will be turned off after Spring 2025.

Getting Started:

Getting Help: 

Library Resources

Library Resources

Online students can access UMass Amherst library resources by using their NetID to log in. 

Library Guide to Education
Library Resources for Remote Learning and Instruction
Access to Library Resources from Off-Campus
Note: URLs that start with “https://silk.library.umass.edu” will provide a log in to access the resource. 
Open Access Resources
The library supports the use of open educational resources in classes. Open access materials can be shared outside of class and students can continue to access these resources well after their enrollment ends. We recommend that online instructors choose open access materials whenever possible. Scholarworks is the local UMass Amherst repository of open access resources.