Flexible and Online Learning

Online Learning

CNS faculty who are new to teaching online are encouraged to enroll in the Introduction to Online Teaching Self-Guided Course Series and the Essentials of Online Teaching Course. 

In addition, faculty are highly encouraged to enroll in the new AccessibleU training course developed by the IDEAS team. It provides the knowledge, tools, and resources you need to design online courses and course materials that meet ADA standards and support all students effectively. 

CNS faculty are encouraged to contact the IDEAS Instructional Design team for support with:

• Creating or updating an online course, including developing learning objectives, constructing a syllabus, designing a user-friendly course structure, and creating engaging instructional activities.
• Selecting appropriate tools and Learning Tools Interoperability (LTIs).
• Designing learning experiences that challenge students to solve real-world problems.
• Making course materials accessible to all learners, regardless of their abilities or learning styles.

Flexible Classroom Technologies

Many UMass classrooms are equipped with flex technologies and recording capabilities through Zoom and/or EchoVideo. Faculty and staff can contact Classroom Technology Services (CTS) at cts [at] umass [dot] edu (cts[at]umass[dot]edu) for help using these classrooms.

Designing Your Course for Flexibility

• Even if you are teaching a fully face-to-face class, use Canvas to supplement the course. Post your syllabus, schedule, links to videos, assignments, etc...  You can request a Canvas course shell from SPIRE.
• Record or broadcast your classroom lectures/activities using EchoVideo. You can also request an EchoVideo space from SPIRE.
• Remember to activate the automatic speech recognition in EchoVideo to create transcripts for your videos.
• Turn on captioning when presenting PowerPoint and Google Slides in the classroom.
• If you have Library materials you would like students to access you can enable Library Reserves into your Canvas course.  

CNS faculty are encouraged to contact the IDEAS team for support with any of these instructional technologies or strategies.