Tools and Strategies

The following sections describe recommended tools and technology for hybrid and remote instruction.

Developing an online course hub
Using Google tools for collaboration and communication
Record video to share with students
Record classroom instruction for online delivery outside of class
Video conferencing for synchronous presentations, office hours or group meetings
Remote testing and assessment

To contact instructional technology and request more information, specific helpdesk forms are linked under each strategy section. Otherwise, please use our instructional technology consultation form or email helpdesk@stolaf.edu

St. Olaf uses Moodle as its learning management system, which makes it a strong choice for developing an online course hub. Other tools, such as Google Drive, can integrate with Moodle or be used independently to manage course content. Google Classroom also provides a lighter-weight alternative to Moodle (though due to lack of administrative access, IT support for Google Classroom is fairly limited).

NOTE: Due to a lack of administrative access, IT support for Google Classroom is fairly limited.

An alternative to Moodle, Google Classroom is a light-weight learning management system that offers some Moodle-like functionality in a Google environment (content sharing, discussions, quizzes and grade book).

Classroom offers the advantage of integrating easily with existing Google drive content, and faculty/students can create new Google Docs from within activities.

Not as robust a feature set as Moodle.

Available from the link at the right or via the Google App picker (upper right of window in Google Apps)

Resources:

Google apps for education provide several tools that could be utilized to facilitate online instruction. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Jamboard streamline collaboration, while Google Chat can provide simple group, class, or individual communication options.

Use Google Docs to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, presentations or sketches.

Use Google Jamboard for synchronous shared whiteboard collaboration

Contain these within a class Shared Drive to share content with the class or among class groups.

Resources:

For recording videos to share with students, St. Olaf recommends using Panopto software and video sharing platform. While there are many tools to record and share video, Panopto offers the benefit of integration with Moodle, and a streamlined screen or video recording and sharing workflow.

Use Panopto software to simplify the recording, uploading and sharing of video screencasts (screen-based presentations or walkthroughs, such as a narrated powerpoint or whiteboard demo).

Record a webcam video of yourself presenting or providing assignment prompts.

Record a video assessment of an assignment or project.

Resources:

In the event of some students unable to attend class that is still meeting on campus, Panopto can be used in the classroom to capture video, screen, doc cam and audio. Many classrooms are already equipped with cameras and microphones for this purpose, and others can be easily outfitted to record the class activity.

If recording live course instruction, please note:

Students should consent to the recording for each course. Linking to the online course recording release form in Moodle or via an email to the class is recommended (this can be done once to cover all course recordings).
For privacy and FERPA reasons, recordings should be available exclusively in Moodle or a class Shared Drive, and only to enrolled students in each course. Videos must not be uploaded to Youtube or other public video sharing platforms.

Use Panopto software in the classroom to capture screen content, along with voice and video of faculty or presenter (if desired).

Video can be automatically uploaded to Panopto for easy sharing.

Option to simultaneously live-stream content while it’s being recorded, for synchronous viewing.

Resources:

Using Panopto in the Classroom

St. Olaf recommends using Google Meet for video conferencing, as it integrates well with existing Google tools and can support large group video calls. As a response to COVID-19, Google Meet has made available two features – recording and additional capacity (up to 250) per room.

St. Olaf also supports Zoom and maintains a limited number of Zoom Pro for education licenses.

Host video calls with up to 100 participants

Use with any browser, and external users don’t need a google account to participate

Easily schedule a Meet call within the Google Calendar event (choose “add conferencing”) for all participants to access the link

Any participant can share their screen with the participants (for presentations or whiteboard style demos)

Ability to record video calls for sharing out later. If recording class meetings, please note the following:

Time zones complicate scheduling for synchronous delivery, so where synchronous is necessary, recording the session is one way to accommodate students who can’t participate
Students should consent to the recording for each course. Linking to the online course recording release form in Moodle or via an email to the class is recommended (this can be done once to cover all course recordings).
For privacy and FERPA reasons, recordings should be available exclusively in Moodle or a class Shared Drive, and only to enrolled students in each course. Videos must not be uploaded to Youtube or other public video sharing platforms.

Resources:

Host video calls with up to 100 participants

Zoom Basic (free version) has a limitation of 40 minutes for group calls. St. Olaf has a limited number of pro licenses we distribute by request, which has no such time limit.

Breakout rooms for small group interaction.

Any participant can share their screen with the participants (for presentations or whiteboard style demos)

Ability to record video calls for sharing out later. If recording class meetings, please note the following:

Time zones complicate scheduling for synchronous delivery, so where synchronous is necessary, recording the session is one way to accommodate students who can’t participate
Students should consent to the recording for each course. Linking to the online course recording release form in Moodle or via an email to the class is recommended (this can be done once to cover all course recordings).
For privacy and FERPA reasons, recordings should be available exclusively in Moodle or a class Shared Drive, and only to enrolled students in each course. Videos must not be uploaded to Youtube or other public video sharing platforms.

Resources:

Zoom documentation

There are a number of supported tools that can be used for testing and assessment, including those that offer a variety of question types, or video and audio submissions.

Moodle text editor includes audio and video recording capability, so wherever students are presented with this editor (e.g. in quiz questions, forums, comments) they are able to record and submit an audio or video response.

NOTE: This built-in recording feature does not work on IOS devices (iPhone, iPad)

Resources:

Record Audio and Video in Moodle (video)

Tools and Strategies

Developing an Online Course Hub

Using Google Tools for Collaboration and Communication

Record Classroom Instruction for Online Delivery Outside of Class

Video Conferencing for Synchronous Class Meetings, Group Work or Office Hours

Remote Testing and Assessment