B-Term is approaching and the ATC team is already preparing for the new term. We’re here to help facilitate delivery of academic content on-campus or remotely. If you have any questions about using the instructional technology tools available at WPI, please reach out to us or attend one of our workshops!
Summary
Canvas Updates and Support
Video Publishing, Storage, & Sharing
Zoom Web Conferencing
Classroom Engagement & Research Survey Tools
Upcoming Workshops
Contact Us & Hours
Canvas Updates
WPI’s official course website system to deploy learning materials, assessments, discussions, and grades.
Canvas/Lecture Capture Integration
Echo360 and Canvas allow automatic deployment of classroom lecture videos and Zoom recordings into your Canvas site. Canvas can be your one-stop shop for course materials and lecture recordings!
All B-term classes designated as “Lecture” in Workday are now being recorded via Echo360 with live-streaming enabled. The recordings will be automatically uploaded to your Canvas course site after processing, which takes approximately the same time as the duration of the lecture. Have questions or concerns about this decision? Check out this blog post out of UMich’s Center for Research on Teaching & Learning that provides several strategies in support of using lecture capture as a resource to support students.
Your Zoom meetings from class or your personal computer can also be recorded to the cloud and automatically uploaded to Echo360 and made available to your students in Canvas. Please contact us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu for more information or to set this up.
Flexibility Options in Canvas
Do you want to offer flexibility but aren’t sure how to do it with an online or hybrid approach? Our blog post on flexibility options in Canvas might give you some ideas!
Gradescope Pilot
We are currently piloting a new tool called Gradescope, which allows you to grade paper-based exams, quizzes, and homework and it’s integrated into Canvas gradebook! Please contact us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu for a demo or to join the pilot.
New Accessibility Features coming 10/16
Microsoft Immersive Reader is now supported in Assignments, the Course Home Page, and the Syllabus. Check out the ATC’s Accessibility & UDL in Canvas site for more ways to make your course site accessible to all users.
Canvas Tech Support & Reporting Issues
If you have a course that exists in Workday, a site will be generated automatically for you within Canvas.
Need changes to your site? Use our form for all Canvas modification requests:
https://www.wpi.edu/+canvasrequest
Got a Canvas question or need to report an issue? The ATC-TTL team is here to help!
Weekdays 8-5, our team is answering questions at: canvashelp@wpi.edu.
Canvas also offers 24/7 tech support for Faculty and TAs, just click on “Help” in the left-hand menu of Canvas to call, chat, or email Canvas. Canvas also has Self-Service Support Resources available.
Don’t forget about our Canvas blog to stay up-to-date on Canvas changes and tips and tricks from our Canvas experts.
Video publishing & sharing options
Recording Your Lectures
Echo360 vs. Zoom from the Classroom
Each classroom at WPI is now equipped with Echo360 Lecture Capture thanks to our amazing AV Services team. But is Echo360 the tool you need? How does it differ from Zoom? Do I have to be in a classroom to record? Start here with our Recording Lectures FAQ post and this comparison chart. Even if you record using Zoom in a classroom, you can still use Echo360 by setting up an automatic connection between your Zoom recordings and Echo360. This connection enables your Zoom recordings to be stored in your Echo360 library on a more permanent basis than is currently possible with Zoom, as Zoom recordings are deleted after 100 days.
Lightboard Studio
In C2021, ATC partnered with the Gordon Library to install a Revolution Lightboard into Tech Suite 121 for use in recording micro-lectures or in live Zoom sessions. Read up on the installation and find out how you can reserve it in this blog post.
Flexibility in Course Delivery
Still thinking about your course and how you can support your students who might need more flexibility in B-Term? Wondering about “blended,” “flipped” or other teaching approaches?
Check out this infographic overview and consider consulting with one of our Instructional Designers to help identify what asynchronous and synchronous teaching and learning activities you might consider incorporating into your course using either Echo360 or Zoom.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime to schedule a consult at atc-ttl@wpi.edu.
Storing Videos & Lectures
Are you maxing out your Canvas storage? Learn more about the options we have for streaming your lectures and uploading video or other media that connect into Canvas for a seamless experience for you and your students.
Please Note: Ensemble Video will not be supported after December 2021. No new videos will be able to be uploaded after this date. If you are a current Ensemble user you should have received communication with additional instructions from our team. If not, please reach out to us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu for more information.
For more information or to schedule a training on Echo360, contact atc-ttl@wpi.edu.
Zoom Web conferencing
Zoom is WPI’s web conferencing tool accessible from https://wpi.zoom.us. If you’re interested in…
- Bringing a guest speaker to your classroom
- Teaching your class from home due to inclement weather
- Giving your students a tool to share and discuss ideas in real-time
- Hosting an online, interactive class or meeting
…then you might want to check out Zoom. Zoom supports simultaneous screen sharing, video, and audio (telephone or computer audio), as well as a suite of collaboration tools, and many more features. Check out the trainings on-demand below, or contact Jolene Cotnoir at jcotnoir@wpi.edu to schedule a training at your leisure.
Zoom Updates
You can now allow an alternative meeting host to add or edit Polls! More information on this feature.
Classroom engagement & Research survey tools
Poll Everywhere is a web-based polling solution where students use their phone, tablets, and laptops to answer questions used for lecture engagement. You can even use it in Zoom!
If you do not currently have access to Poll Everywhere, please use the Polling Request form.
Will your students be creating surveys and collecting data?
WPI has a site license for the fully featured Qualtrics suite. No need to use “free” online services for your surveys! Qualtrics will be making changes to their survey building dashboard over the next couple of months. Learn more about what to expect.
If you would like to meet for 30 minutes via Zoom for a consult or training on Poll Everywhere or Qualtrics you can book one online!
Visit and bookmark https://wpi.qualtrics.com to access Qualtrics!
Interested in enhancing your online class discussions?
WPI has a free license to use FlipGrid, which allows for video discussion boards that can be enabled directly within Canvas. Learn more about FlipGrid.
Upcoming Workshops and Trainings
Canvas
Need a quick refresher on Canvas basics? Want to do a deep dive into a specific Canvas tool? Grab your beverage of choice and book a 30 minute online chat with a Canvas expert. We’ll be offering these sessions throughout the month of October.
Full pre-recorded Basic and Advanced trainings on Canvas are available on our On Demand Training page, or please contact canvashelp@wpi.edu to schedule a one-on-one session that fits your schedule.
Echo360
Enabling Closed Captions for your Echo360 Videos
Wednesday, October 20 – 10am
Echo360 – Structure and Functions
Thursday, October 21 – 10am
Zoom
We are offering Zoom Basic Trainings by request for anyone who either needs a refresher course or is new to using web conferencing tools at WPI! Both online and offline trainings are available! E-mail Jolene Cotnoir (jcotnoir@wpi.edu) to schedule a one-on-one training session that fits your schedule.
Instructional Design
Schedule a one-on-one consultation with Caitlin Keller or Valerie Smedile-Rifkin by emailing atc-ttl@wpi.edu.
On Demand and Micro-Trainings
We’ve recorded and collected our best workshops, and other “micro-training” sessions where you can learn a topic in 10 minutes or less!
On Demand Trainings – Full 45-minute training session recordings
Micro-Trainings – individual Canvas, Echo360, Zoom topics, learn in 10 minutes or less
Don’t see a micro or regular training session that you are looking for? Contact us at atc-ttl@wpi.edu to schedule a 1-on-1 session that works with your schedule.
Contact us
Got a question or a problem? E-mail atc-ttl@wpi.edu and we’ll be happy to help find a solution!
The Technology for Teaching and Learning team offers support Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
ATC Website – support documentation, resources, and equipment rentals
Canvas Blog - Get important Canvas updates, new features, and help resources
TTL Blog - Academic technology resources, workshops, and discover new tech tools
Follow us on Twitter: @atc_ttl