Training and Support are Available Now
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Attend live online training sessions to learn about Canvas, Zoom, Panopto, and other tools |
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Watch recorded Canvas, Zoom, and Panopto workshops |
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Compare supported technologies to see what options are available for your course activities |
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Join a daily office hours session staffed by AT-FAS, the Bok Center, and the Harvard Library |
This page provides information on tools, common tasks, trainings, and available resources that can help you ensure your FAS course is remote ready. Click the links below to learn more, or view our handy comparison matrix at the bottom of this page.
Click the links below to learn more or view our handy comparison matrix at the bottom of this page.
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Canvas |
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Slides |
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Video Conferencing |
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Collaboration Tools |
Several additional resources are also available to FAS instructors:
- The Office of Undergraduate Education's Remote Ready Teaching website provides faculty members with continually updated information and teaching resources, from adapting courses for the web to proctoring exams
- The Bok Center for Teaching and Learning's Teaching Remotely page provides advice about moving online, with an emphasis on exploring options, focusing on pedagogy, and being flexible when it comes to adapting to teaching within a new medium
- The Harvard Library has provided resources for Teaching Remotely with library collections, Remote Support for Research & Publishing, and a helpful guide to "Copyright Considerations for the Harvard Community in Shifting Courses from In-Person to Online During the COVID-19 Crisis," which includes guidance on the use of images, readings, and multimedia resources, to include commercial streaming media
- Harvard University Information Technology has a guide to troubleshooting your internet and home network, and many more key resources and guides in the IT Help Portal.
Additionally, the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning's University-wide Teach Remotely site provides instructors with information on best practices, available tools, and how to get support for teaching your classes online, while the Learn Remotely site provides students with information on where to go, what to do, and how to get help when learning online.
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Canvas |
Make use of Canvas features that support instructor engagement with students, student engagement with each other, and digital access to content, assignments, and assessments. Here are a few best practices that will ease the transition to teaching and learning online:
- Post a syllabus to provide students information on course policies, assignments, and important dates.
- Provide a method for holding class online through Zoom, or another web conferencing system.
- Organize your content so finding course materials is easy for students.
- Use assignments and quizzes to assess student understanding.
- Communicate with students via emails and announcements.
- Create opportunities for students to engage with each other asynchronously through online discussion.
- Record and share video through Panopto or another lecture video tool.
More information is available on our Canvas page. Academic Technology for FAS also provides both live and recorded Canvas trainings.
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Slide-Based Presentations |
If your class lecture is presented using slides, consider recording audio into your slides. Once your slides are complete, you can upload them to Canvas for your students to view. Click the links below to view a brief video tutorial about recording voiceover on your presentation slides.
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Powerpoint |
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Google Slides |
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Zoom Video Conferencing |
Web Conferences are powerful tools that combine video, audio, and screen sharing to create an online class experience. Zoom is a video conferencing tool that combines an easy-to-use interface and reliable technology with exceptional video quality, offering a seamless experience for collaboration across mobile devices, desktops, and conference rooms.
Premium Zoom videoconferencing is availablle to all FAS faculty, staff, and students, both as a stand-alone application and within your Canvas site. More information is available on our Zoom page. Academic Technology for FAS also provides both live and recorded Canvas trainings.
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Collaboration Tools |
Collaboration tools may incorporate some aspects of web conferencing while adding the ability to work on documents together.
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Google Drive or Google Docs collaboration in Canvas |
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OneDrive collaboration in Canvas |
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Comparison Matrix |
Below is a matrix highlighting some tools that are available to you for conducting Web Conferences and Virtual Classes or Meetings. Academic Technology for FAS can assist with any training that you or your teaching staff may need to ensure that your class is remote ready.
Tool |
Best for... |
Number of Students |
Information and Links |
Where to Find It |
Zoom Video Conferencing | Web conferences with video, audio, screen sharing (online and integrated with Canvas) |
Unlimited (if >300, contact us at atg@fas.harvard.edu) |
Find it online at harvard.zoom.us. Zoom is also installed on every FAS Canvas site. |
|
Panopto Video Recording | Recording or uploading lectures and slides, screencasting, video streaming, embedding videos. Panopto videos can also contain notes, bookmarks and quizzes. | Unlimited | Panopto Video Recording and Lecture Capture | Panopto is installed on every FAS Canvas site on a page called Lecture Recordings. |
Recording Audio into your Powerpoint | Quick and easy distribution | Unlimited |
How to record audio narration in Powerpoint |
|
Google Hangouts |
Video or Chat Conference |
9 if all are using video (More information at support.google.com) |
Video tutorial: Setting up a Google Hangout All Harvard College students already have Google accounts that they can use. With Google Hangouts, you can also share your screen, collaborate on homework in Google Docs, or watch YouTube videos together. |
g.harvard.edu (faculty and staff) college.harvard.edu (students) |
Skype |
Video or Chat conferences |
25 (all will need Skype accounts) |
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Record Video Directly onto Canvas Page |
posting asynchronous content |
unlimited |
How-to Guide: Recording video using the Rich Content Editor |
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Reuse Past Lecture Videos |
courses where the content for that week is the same |
unlimited |
contact atg@fas.harvard.edu to assist |