All content on this site is specific to the short-term use of distance education technologies when teaching in-person classes.
Strategies & Technologies
Hold Synchronous Online Sessions
Microsoft Teams (Canvas or Blackboard)
This video conferencing tool integrates with Canvas and is also available to use in Blackboard. Teams is the official video conferencing tool for Canvas. More information about this exciting integration can be found on the MS Teams for Academics Support website.
Collaborate Ultra (Blackboard Only)
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra helps to connect with your class in real-time. The following materials demonstrate how to add Collaborate Ultra to your existing Blackboard course, facilitate a Collaborate Ultra session, present materials from your screen and talk live (online) with your students.
Engaging with Students through Synchronous Course Content
To encourage students to engage with the synchronous course content, see additional resources below.
Create Asynchronous Assignments
Asynchronous courses use technologies to deliver digital content and to facilitate regular and substantive interactions between students and their instructor while allowing for more flexibility in scheduling. The minimal expectation of instructors/student interaction should be analogous to the number of instructors/student interactions that take place during the course when it is delivered in a synchronous environment (i.e., “face-to-face”).
Asynchronous course delivery (students do not need to participate online at the same time) is one option instructors may implement in an online platform. Content may be delivered in multiple digital formats, and tools are available within Canvas and Blackboard, which allow the instructor to engage and interact with students throughout the course schedule.
Engaging with Students through Asynchronous Course Content
Whether in a physical or virtual classroom, students can benefit from their collaboration with their peers. Here are a few techniques and tools for helping students collaborate in an asynchronous classroom.
Stream Live Classroom Lectures
Here is a quick video that provides an overview of the technology in the classroom.
Each traditional / lecture-oriented instructional space will be equipped with the following:
Instructor Station Computer
While there will not be a standard model computer in all instructional spaces throughout the university, all instructor station computers will be less than four years old.
Lumens DC-125 High-Definition Portable Camera
This camera is on a flexible stand so it can act as a document camera or a webcam, allowing instructors the flexibility of showing documents, objects, or themselves to their remote students. Audio Technica ATR4650-USB Computer Microphone
Clearly picks up audio for up to 25 feet, allowing instructors ample room to move without losing their remote students.
Using Classroom Equipment
Used in combination with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra* (Blackboard Only) or Microsoft Teams (Canvas or Blackboard), this equipment will allow in-person instructors to do the following:
- Broadcast their class in real-time to students who cannot be physically present
- Record their class for later viewing by those who are not able to view it in real-time
Using the Camera and Microphone with Microsoft Teams (PDF)
Using the Camera and Microphone with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (PDF)
Note: You may need to turn off your email, chat, and other pop-up notifications while using Collaborate Ultra and/or Microsoft Teams. Find instructions here: Windows | Mac.
*Please be sure that you are using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and not Blackboard Collaborate. Blackboard Collaborate will be decommissioned later this year.
Record Presentations
Kaltura Capture provides a straightforward way to record and share narrated PowerPoint; webcam video; screen and audio recordings with your class. Kaltura Capture is a useful technology option when you are otherwise unable to connect with your class online in real-time to deliver a lecture or presentation.
Post Class Materials
Our learning management systems (Canvas and Blackboard) provide a space to organize and share access to class readings, web links, documents, and other resources to support your class.
Posting Materials to Canvas
- Creating Modules
- Creating Pages
- Adding course content to a Module
- Adding text in the Rich Content Editor
- Adding web links
- Adding Kaltura videos to Canvas
Posting Materials to Blackboard
Create Assignments
Our learning management systems (Canvas and Blackboard) allow you to collect, manage, grade, and provide feedback on assignments for your students separately or in groups.
Creating Assignments in Canvas
Creating Assignments in Blackboard
Create Quizzes & Exams
Our learning management systems (Canvas and Blackboard) provide tools to create and deliver online quizzes and exams. Kent State University uses Proctorio as our automated test proctoring service.
Create Quizzes & Exams with Canvas
Create Quizzes & Exams with Blackboard
Virtual Office Hours
Office hours remain an important element in the student-instructor relationship. Review the following options for virtual office hours.
- Canvas or Blackboard – Virtual Office Hours using MS Teams
- Blackboard (Only) - Virtual Office Hours using Collaborate Ultra (PDF)
Strategies for Holding Virtual Office Hours:
- Clearly establish a time for virtual office hours
- Decide what kind of communication tools you will use
- Set a policy for when students should expect a response when using asynchronous tools
- Utilize video capabilities
Identify Licensed Content
If you need online materials such as eBooks, streaming videos, articles, etc. for your course, please see the Course Reserves Website for more information and to submit a request.
- Streaming Video Resources
- LinkedIn Learning - An online training library, designed for all levels of learners, with over 13,000 courses covering business, technology, and creative topics.
For any additional assistance or questions, please reach out to your subject librarian.
Interact & Engage
Instructors should consider students' needs for interaction, feedback, and engagement when evaluating various instructional methods.