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When Campus Closes, But Learning Does Not Stop

With the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, it is important that we prepare for the potential of teaching class synchronously in the online environment. This can be accomplished either for the entire class or for a single student. Preparation is key to make the learning experience best for all. We encourage you to take the following steps.

(For more resources higher education follow this Blog from CETL: /campus/resources/cetl/resources/cetl-blog//p/resources-for-preparing-to-move-online-in-a-hurry)

What You Can Do Now:

  • Download your class list, including student email addresses.
  • Your class list can be found in or by using the Mail tool found at the top right of your D2L page. Look for theicon.
  • Move any course materials from your computer desktop or on-campus storage devices to OneDrive, log in with your OKCU email and password at .
  • Download the Zoom App on your smart phone or tablet. Instructions and videos on how to use this tool can be found . (Links are listed below).
  • It is important that you test the plan with your students.
  • An email will have to be sent to communicate that class will be held during the scheduled time. Remember, plan to hold class at its normal time as to not interfere with other courses. Here is a template email:

Greetings Class,

Due to campus closure, we will be meeting ONLINE during today’s class period. Please follow this zoom link/discussion board link to participate in class. I have also posted questions in the announcement feature to guide our discussion today. I am looking for everyone to actively participate in the discussion. (Option #2: I have created a discussion board with a list of questions that I need you to respond to. Once you have posted your response (at least 75 words per question), I want you to respond to two classmates (at least 75 words) and add to the discussion introducing a new information from the assigned readings or videos. Please do not just agree with your classmates, I need you to reply and support your statement with the assigned materials. Feel free to ask questions and share how you applied the assigned materials in a relevant situation. I am looking for synthesis and application of information.)

Sincerely,

Your Signature Here

Practice Ways To Utilize D2L

  • Here is a Video on creating an
  • Here is a Video on creating
  • Here is a Video on creating a

Tips for effectively communicating with Students Online

  • Be consistent with the digital tool selected for online communications and be sure to post this information in a prominent location, such as the Announcements page in D2L.
  • Set expectations for how students should engage in the communication, including how they should contact the instructor.
  • Set expectations with students for how quickly the instructor will respond to online communication.

Zoom

Instructors should download the Zoom app on their devices:

  • iPhone/iPad:
  • Google Play:
  • From a computer: and choose to “Sign In”
    • If you get an error message, try using a different browser
    • If you still get an error message, clear your browser cookies/cache
    • If you still get an error message, send a request to [email protected] and ask to be signed out of Zoom on all devices

Create a Zoom Meeting on Your Phone/Tablet

Once you have the Zoom app downloaded, you can create a class meeting link for your course by tapping “New Meeting.” Copy the meeting link and post it as an announcement in D2L, your students only need the link to access the Zoom meeting. There is a 45-minute time limit for each meeting, so if your normal course times exceed 45 minutes, you will need to plan on having two (or more) Zoom meetings. When you set up your Zoom meeting, it is a good idea to check the box that mutes participants when they join. There is more detail on hosting controls in the attached Zoom Tip Sheet. Download the Tip Sheet.

Create a Zoom Meeting on Your Computer

To access Zoom on your computer, choose a web browser and navigate to and click the “Sign In” button. Log in using your OKCU username and password. Click the “Schedule A Meeting” link on the top right toolbar (near your profile picture). Enter meeting details: meeting name, time, date, etc., then click “Save. This will bring up a new window where you can download a calendar invitation for the meeting that can be shared, or you can click the “Copy the invitation link, copy the invitation information that pops up, and share that through email or D2L.

One obstacle with using Zoom to teach, is the lack of a microphone or a webcam. One way to overcome this issue is to use both your computer and your phone and/or tablet. Open the Zoom meeting from your computer, then share your computer screen with your students. Turn the sound down on your computer, then open the Zoom meeting on your phone and/or tablet. You can use your phone and/or tablet camera and microphone, while at the same time, using your computer to show a PowerPoint or other learning activities from your computer.

To prepare students to participate in a Zoom meeting, instructors should share links for the Zoom apps to students to download their device(s). If a student is using a computer, the only thing needed is the Zoom link. When the link is clicked, the student will be prompted to download and run the Zoom program.

Once the link has been shared with your students, all they need to do is click the link to participate, there is no need for them to create a Zoom account. It does not matter if a student is joining from their mobile device, tablet, or computer.

Tips for Delivering a Synchronous (Zoom) Meeting

  • Use headphones or earbuds with a microphone to minimize surrounding noise and maximize your voice.
  • In your Zoom settings, opt to Mute Participants upon entry into the meeting. As the host of the meeting, instructors can mute and unmute participants at any point.
  • As the host of the meeting, instructors can turn on the feature in Zoom settings for group discussion or group problem sets. In a Breakout Room, instructors can split the large meeting into separate rooms for small groups of students to work collaboratively.

Tips for Engaging Students Online Discussions

  • Communicate clear guidelines in the prompt that establish your expectations for students’ contribution to the discussion. Many instructors choose to provide details about the writing style (e.g., formal/informal), number of posts, length (e.g., number of words), frequency, tone, and content (e.g., elements that constitute “value added”).
  • Use threaded discussion responses to allow students to respond to one another multiple times in an organized way in each discussion board post.
  • Be present in the discussion board by providing feedback and coaching to student responses.
  • Encourage students to participate in a variety of ways that work for the individual student, including text, audio, or video.
  • Create questions and prompts that require complex thinking and application of ideas to avoid repetitive student responses.

Need Help Brainstorming?

  • You can request that CETL come talk to your faculty, individually or at a faculty meeting, to develop a plan. Please contact CETL at [email protected].

Facts about Coronavirus/COVID-19 for OCU University

  • The coronavirus, which causes the flu-like illness COVID-19, is causing increasing concern around the world.
  • Since the coronavirus emerged in February, the university has been tracking developments, making recommendations about travel, and reminding our community that we must be supportive of each other at a time when many are becoming alarmed.
  • A working group of university leaders is communicating daily, with meetings each week for as long as necessary to monitor the situation, refine short- and long-term contingency plans and to respond rapidly to emerging issues. As new information becomes available, we will communicate via email and social media.

Where can I get the most up-to-date information about the status of coronavirus/COVID-19?

  • CDC is providing on the situation in the U.S. and internationally. The Oklahoma Department of Public Health on the situation in Oklahoma.
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