Faculty Support - Instruction
Best practices, innovations, and instructional technology support
From getting help in your first semester as an instructor, to finding a partner who can help you explore a new challenge or teaching technique, there are plenty of folks in the college and on campus who are here to help.
Instructional Support
Online Programs and Digital Learning office in the college (Furcolo W106) provides consults on teaching practices, course design, online teaching, and use of instructional technologies.
The Faculty Development Group, based in the Office of Research and Engagement, provides consults and programming to support college faculty in their instruction and research.
Center for Teaching & Learning on campus provides mentoring and support for instructional and professional development.
UMass Amherst Libraries has an education subject specialist Sarah Fitzgerald who maintains a Subject Guide for Education, available to assist students with research, and can help instructors find, post, and license a variety of materials. ScholarWorks can be used to find and post open access materials.
Disabilities Services can help you provide appropriate accommodations in your classes for students with disabilities.
Academic Resources for Faculty and Staff has links to academic calendars, policies, and forms.
Instructional Technology Support
Digital Learning in the college (Furcolo W106) can help with advice on adapting tools such as Canvas and Zoom to instructional goals, as well as more general topics such as remote teaching, hybrid classes, presentation design, and accessibility.
Ed Tech in the college (Furcolo W109) provides help with hardware, software, classroom AV, network access and technology purchasing advice. Contact the EdTech office at EdTech-ITHelp [at] UMass [dot] edu (EdTech-ITHelp[at]UMass[dot]edu).
Instructional Media Lab on campus provides hands-on help and training with with tools such as Canvas, Zoom, and Echo360. Contact the Lab (instruct [at] umass [dot] edu (instruct[at]umass[dot]edu) or 545-2823) with questions or to arrange for a one-on-one consultation.
Instructional Design, Engagement, and Support (IDEAS) is the campus hub for supporting innovative uses of technologies in teaching. IDEAS hosts trainings and events as well as special fellowships for faculty who want support exploring a new technology or technique.
UMassAmherst IT Guide for Faculty & Instructors gives an overview of all the technologies and support provided by UMass Amherst for teaching. Contact central IT ( it [at] umass [dot] edu or 413-545-9400) for help with accounts, online services, security issues, and other general IT issues.
Highlights
How to communicate with your students about appropriate use of automated tools (such as ChatGPT) for content creation in your classes.
A summary of key information about the move to the Canvas LMS: learning about Canvas, converting courses, and getting started using it in classes.
Resources for instructors in higher education who work with issues of racial justice, and want to make classrooms more welcoming to students.