Recommendations and Guidelines
Course Preparation Checklist
The CTLT will continue to support and prepare our faculty for continued successful instruction of our students. We recommend that UNBC faculty take some time to plan a course of action that best suits your teaching preferences, your curriculum-specific needs, and characteristics of your students. Feel free to use the following checklist as a guideline to your planning process.
If you are teaching a Face-to-Face course, you may want to check out these tips on Resilient Course Design
SYLLABUS
My syllabus and/or the course outline is posted on moodle.unbc.ca (if using) & it is clearly labelled.
I have included a list of all assignments, exams, and other assessment items with percentages/points of how much each item is worth.
I have included a weekly schedule of dates, assignments & due dates, readings, so students know what is expected each week.
I have checked my course plans using the Student Workload Calculator (also consider your grading workload x number of students)
It is clear to students in the syllabus how the course will be presented (asynchronously, synchronously, or a blend) and which class sessions have required attendance and if they will be recorded.
My self-introduction video or message is posted on moodle.unbc.ca along with my contact info
I have posted my virtual office hours and contact information.
I have added the recommended sections on Academic Integrity, Access Resource Centre, Student Resources available.
I have reviewed the Provost’s Guidance on Generative AI use in Courses and selected my course AI Policy from the examples or created my own.
CONTENT
My course modules are organized and set up in a logical fashion either in folders or by weekly topics (Weekly Modules, Assignments, Exams & Quizzes, etc.)
My course materials and content, assignments, and activities are posted and accessible on the learning management system
The hyperlinks to my course materials have been tested and are accessible to students
I have posted/created my assessment activities & assignment dropboxes with due dates on moodle.unbc.ca
I have consulted with the Copyright Librarian and all of my resources are compliant
I have considered Universal Design for Learning Guidelines (GUIDE) and accessibility of my materials by students with differing abilities (UDL Guidelines summary)
I have thought about my teaching practice and philosophy by reviewing the Pillars of Pedagogy
ASSESSMENTS
I have checked to see if any students in my course need Access Resource Centre Accommodations and I have made sure my quizzes/midterms/exams have appropriate Test exceptions created.
MIDTERM & FINAL EXAMS, QUIZZES: It is highly recommended that faculty contact their designated CTLT Instructional Designer to set up midterms and final exams to ensure things go smoothly & stress free. Some moodle.unbc.ca test options and settings are complicated. It is also important that an Access Resource Centre (ARC) accommodations for students with disabilities are set correctly. The CTLT also has the ability to batch upload test questions so you do not have to manually enter them, one by one.
VIDEO & WEBCONFERENCING
My video content is accessible on moodle.unbc.ca using MyMedia features. ALL Video files and narrated Powerpoint files must be exported to video format and then uploaded to your MyMedia area before being embedded in the course.
I have installed Kaltura Capture App on my desktop in case I need to record a video or presentation.
My webcam and microphone work correctly and have been tested.
ONGOING COMMUNICATION:
I communicate regularly with my student using the announcement feature on moodle.unbc.ca
I regularly organize and facilitate online discussions.
I provide regular, timely feedback on assessments (e.g. quizzes, assignments, exams)
I respond to my students’ questions within 24-48 hours
I do informal feedback discussions with my students to check on their understanding and optionally, can conduct anonymous surveys and evaluations
Webconferencing Checklist (Synchronous Live)
Pre-session Preparation:
Equipment Required – A computer or laptop with stable internet connection (recommended browser to use: Google Chrome) Headphones or microphone Webcam
You may use UNBC Zoom or the integrated Kaltura Classroom within moodle.unbc.ca (accessible through the Media Gallery)
Practice using Kaltura Classroom features in advance: See Instructor Guide for more instructions
Prepare your session materials by: Create a detailed session plan including timings and class expectations. Upload resources such as slides, graphics, or links to videos, etc. Create any poll questions with accompanying slides in advance.
Before Class Session (about 15-20 minutes prior to start):
Clear screen of any private applications, documents or browser tabs (except the ones you want to share with the students
Test audio and video (clear and working). Make sure you are on a fast internet connection and are located close to the modem or have a wired internet connection.
Confirm your moderator/presenter role in settings
Ensure your camera view is what you want students to see.
During the session:
Greet participants as they join the session
Remind participants to test their microphone and speakers
Give a brief overview of class expectations and how to use text chat or icons. This is a good time to tell participants how class interactions will work and where to locate features of the webconference tool.
Do a check-in with emoticons, doodle on whiteboard, poll
Start recording (if applicable). Inform participants the session is being recorded, including the main chat. See guide to record sessions.
End of session:
Session capture: if the session was being recorded, stop the recording and remind students where the session recordings will become available and where to find them in the course in moodle.unbc.ca
HELP/RESOURCES
I have reviewed the Instructor Guide http://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/unbc
Each program has a designated Instructional Designer (contact the CTLT at ctlt@unbc.ca and they will connect you). CTLT INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNERS are available to guide you through setting up your online course, discussing options to best achieve your learning outcomes and course requirements, advising on what has worked well at UNBC when teaching online, and to set up assessments, exams and quizzes and the various options.
Thanks to the Justice Institute of BC for creating the framework for this great checklist. (modified for UNBC)
