Remote Teaching Resources
In collaboration with The Chang School, Computing and Communications Services, and the Toronto Metropolitan University Library, we have compiled a comprehensive list of resources at-a-glance to support faculty and instructors in preparing for remote teaching.
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Policy 166 provides a framework of common understanding for students and faculty |
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A list of quick tips, simple strategies, and low tech resources for teaching online |
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A one-page chart with ideas for lectures, communication, learning activities, and assessments using Toronto Metropolitan University-supported technologies |
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Instructions on setting up your shell and a list of other D2L Brightspace guides for instructors |
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Learn how to request and use google groups to facilitate sharing of resources and collaborative activities |
Creating accessible content
- How to create accessible documents in Google Docs and Microsoft Word.
- How to create accessible slideshows in Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Learn about captioning and description, and how to add captions to videos.
- How to check for accessibility issues using the accessibility checker in D2L Brightspace.
There are many resources available on the Guides & Resources page of the Accessibility website.
Delivering an inclusive teaching experience
- Conducting accessible virtual events & meetings: Tips for hosting accessible lectures in Google Meet and Zoom, including information on closed captioning.
- Tips for inclusive teaching and delivering accessible online education.
- (google doc) UDL and inclusive teaching online (external link) : Suggestions for making your teaching more inclusive and flexible to meet the diverse needs of learners, based on Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
- (google doc) Inclusivity and Access in Remote Science Labs (external link) : Best practices to create an inclusive remote science lab.
- Academic Accommodation Support Faculty: Access key information about accommodated online exams.
Students registered with Academic Accommodation Support
- Academic Accommodation Support (AAS) is Toronto Metropolitan University's disability services office who work directly with incoming and returning students looking for help with their academic accommodations.
- Toronto Metropolitan University Library Accessibility Services is committed to providing equal access to services and collections to all students, faculty and staff. Services include retrieving accessible materials, alternative format production and support with media captioning.
Assisting students with limited access to technology
- (google doc) Assisting students with limited access to technology (external link) : Strategies for surveying the technology limitations of your students and how you can adjust your teaching accordingly to promote equity and access.
- (google doc) Using the Student Technology Survey (external link) : Learn how to use the survey template to gain an understanding of your students’ access to technology and their learning environment.
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Description |
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(google doc) Promoting academic integrity in online courses through collaboration (external link) |
Strategies to create classroom community, reduce student anxiety, and encourage academic integrity |
A Google Drive folder with a comprehensive collection of Academic Integrity resources |
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Academic Integrity resources specifically related to undergraduate courses |
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Academic Integrity resources specifically related to graduate courses |
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Description |
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(google doc) Best practices for delivering live online lectures (external link) |
A guide taking you through the process of creating an engaging live session for your class |
A checklist based on best practices for delivering online lectures |
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(google doc) Terms of conduct, privacy, and engagement for live sessions (sample) (external link) |
Sample text that can be adapted and used to communicate expectations for live sessions to students |
Technical instructions for setting up a meeting in Zoom |
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Technical instructions for setting up a meeting using Google Meet |
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Strategies to keep your Zoom session as safe as possible for all participants |
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Tips for hosting accessible lectures in Google Meet and Zoom, including information on closed captioning. |
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Description |
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(google doc) Slide presentations for online teaching (external link) |
Tips and resources for adapting presentations for online delivery |
To use these templates in PowerPoint, right-click on the file and choose “Download.” To use these templates in Google Slides, right click on the file and choose “Make a Copy” |
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A guide that takes you through best practices for accessibility when using Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint |
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A guide that takes you through best practices for accessibility when using in Google Docs and Microsoft Word |
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How to use Zoom to pre-record materials, upload them to Google Drive, and share them with your class through D2L Brightspace |
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(google doc) Podcasting tips for teaching (external link, opens in new window) |
Strategies and advice on creating podcasts for content delivery and podcasts as a form of assessment |
(google doc) Creating effective tutorial and demo videos (external link) |
Guide to creating and sharing video tutorials and demonstrations with your class |
Comprehensive guide of equipment and software suggestions for creating video content |
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(google doc) Video recording tips for teaching (external link) |
One page guide with helpful hints for recording video |
(google doc) Video editing tips for teaching (external link) |
One page guide with helpful hints for editing video |
Resources and guides for adding closed captioning and description to both recorded materials and live sessions |
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Description |
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How to use the Content tool in D2L Brightspace to share your course outline and add modules for course content |
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Brightspace shells are available with sample content you can view to get ideas for your own course, as well as content packs you can use in your shell. |
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How to use a class folder in Google Drive to host and share documents, spreadsheets, forms, audio, and video |
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Learn how to check for accessibility issues in your D2L Brightspace course shell |
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Description |
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Comprehensive list of existing materials you can integrate into your teaching |
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Information about finding, creating, and using Open Educational Resources |
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A guide to help navigate copyright concerns when delivering course content online |
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Services available to help meet accommodation needs for your students |
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Description |
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How to leverage Google apps for group work |
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Instructions to help you organize your Gmail |
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How to use this Google app with your credentials so that you can chat with students, staff and faculty |
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How to use the announcements tool in D2L Brightspace to broadcast updates to your class |
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How to effectively send emails through D2L Brightspace to your entire class, groups, or individual students, as well as details about notifications on the platform |
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Instructions on setting up groups that you can then apply to various tools such as assignments and discussions in D2L Brightspace |
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Instructions for setting up discussion forums and topics in D2L Brightspace |
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Description |
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Template to help students set guidelines for group work |
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(google sheet) Group project action plan template (external link) |
Template to help students plan and delegate tasks for group work |
Software integrated into D2L to facilitate peer evaluation |
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Information on using the blogging system supported by Digital Media Projects in your course. |
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Description |
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(google doc) Rethinking your final course assessments (external link) |
Strategies to adapt course assessments to an online or alternate format |
Practical step-by-step checklist to support you in the process of designing and facilitating online exams |
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Information and advice about how to approach final exams in a remote teaching environment |
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| Virtual Proctoring Considerations | The tools available for use at Toronto Metropolitan University, assessed based on availability, data privacy and security, and alignment for supporting common assessment methods. |
| Privacy Considerations for Virtual Classes and Virtual Proctoring | As mentioned on Toronto Metropolitan University’s Privacy Policy web page, Toronto Metropolitan University supports the closely aligned principles of transparency and accountability and is committed to protecting specific types of information, which include personal information, teaching and research records. This privacy guideline is developed in an effort to assist faculty and instructors with their teaching activities and use of technologies in teaching, especially in response to remote teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| Academic Accommodation Support Faculty | Access key information about accommodated online exams. |
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Description |
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(google doc) Best Practices: take home exams (external link) |
Comprehensive guide to designing take home exams |
(google doc) Best Practices: alternative assessments (external link, opens in new window) |
This guide goes through the process of designing several forms of assessment |
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Description |
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Technical guide on using the D2L Brightspace quiz tool |
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Technical guide on adjusting weighting in the D2L Brightspace gradebook |
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Description |
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(google doc) Student Wellbeing in Remote Teaching (external link) |
Resources and information on supporting students in a remote teaching environment, and links to supports available to students in support of wellbeing |
Listings for Student Life events |
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Listings on Connect RU for all events related to wellness |
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Page for students to learn where to get help, including a link for those in crisis |
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Resilience training and resources for Toronto Metropolitan University students |
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| Movement Breaks | Recharge your mind and body during those quick moments in between classes and meetings with activities created by TMU Recreation. |
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Information for students on how to get technical help |
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If students are having trouble logging into my.torontomu, D2L Brightspace, Google apps or Wordpress blogs, this page will help them troubleshoot the issue. |
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These guidelines outline student rights and responsibilities as a computing user. Note some of the information on this page refers to use of computers on campus. |
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List of technical resources and guides available for Toronto Metropolitan University students for remote learning |
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Guide specifically focused on student use of D2L Brightspace |
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Full list of software available through CCS or enabled on CCS labs with download and installation information if available. |
External Resources
- Remote teaching: a practical guide with tools, tips, and techniques (external link) by Alison Flynn and Jeremy Kerr, University of Ottawa
- York University’s Guide: BOLD Going Remote (external link)
- Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, University of Calgary: Developing online courses modules (external link)
- Taylor Institute Teaching and Learning, University of Calgary: (PDF file) Remote Teaching Checklist (external link)
- Fostering Engagement: Facilitating Online Courses in Higher Education (external link) . Learn more about different types of interaction in online courses from the University of Waterloo.
- (google doc) Teaching Online with Care (external link)
- Pivot to online: A Student Guide (external link) by Sean Michael Morris
- Creating Presence with Synchronous and Asynchronous Remote Teaching (8:49) (external link) , a video by Andrew McAllister, CIO, OCADu
- Synchronous vs Asynchronous course design (external link) , an Infographic from Fanshawe College
- (google doc) Low Tech Remote Teaching Principles (external link) by the University of Cape Town
Getting Ready to Learning Online (external link) , an introduction to online learning for students from the University of Waterloo
- Virtual Lab and Science Resource Directory (external link) - BC Campus
- Chemistry Online (external link) by Chemistry Education Division
- Remotely Hands-On (external link) by Inside Higher Ed