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For information and resources related to BlendFlex and Remote instruction, please refer to UCF Keep Teaching (for faculty) and UCF Keep Learning (for students) pages. Additionally, be sure to review Our Promise to Support the UCF Community and see how everyone at the Division of Digital Learning is here to support our Knights.

UCF Keep Teaching

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Webcourses@UCF Support

Get support with Webcourses@UCF.

Email: webcourses@ucf.edu
Phone: (407)823-0407

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If exceptional circumstances require you to teach remotely, the following strategies and resources may assist in transitioning your face-to-face course to a remote or BlendFlex delivery model. In particular, such tools as Webcourses@UCF, Zoom, Panopto, and LinkedIn Learning are useful in creating content that focuses on teaching, grading, and connecting with students.

Please note that this is an extraordinary circumstance and the resources and strategies collected here do not replace UCF’s standard faculty development expectations for teaching online.

The Webcourses@UCF Support team provides support to our students, faculty, and staff for any technical assistance, concerns, or questions related to online learning at UCF. The team can be a vital resource for instructors while making the transition to remote or BlendFlex instruction. For technical help, please contact Webcourses@UCF Support.

Note that in an emergency, systems and university support teams may respond slower than normal.

Training/Workshops

Are you worried about moving your course online during an emergency? Do you know how to communicate with students who cannot come to class? Are you prepared to use Zoom or Panopto for lectures?

The recorded workshops and training resources below will help you transition your face-to-face course to a remote or BlendFlex modality.

TEACHING WITH ZOOM Q&A

Using Panopto in Webcourses

Zoom Essentials Course

We encourage you to enroll in the online self-paced Zoom Essentials course which describes the basic and advanced functions of Zoom and how it can be used within Webcourses@UCF. The time commitment for completing Zoom Essentials is estimated to be between 2-4 hours.

EXPLORE ZOOM ESSENTIALS

Panopto Essentials COURSE

If you choose to use Panopto in your class and haven’t used it in the past, you will be required to take the self-paced online Panopto Essentials course (estimated to be 2-4 hours to complete).

EXPLORE PANOPTO ESSENTIALS

BlendFlex Training COURSE

The Center for Distributed Learning and the Office of Instructional Resources have created an online, self-paced course that should take around an hour to complete. This course will give you an overview of how the BlendFlex Model will be used at UCF, address questions you may have about its implementation, and identify considerations in teaching practices. It also contains a helpful guide of tools, technologies, and strategies for successfully applying this model in your course.

ENROLL NOW

Announcements & Updates

View Past Updates & Announcements

Understanding how BlendFlex Works

We expect that the 2020-2021 academic year will require a significant amount of flexibility on the part of both faculty and students. The BlendFlex delivery model is intended to offer the maximum flexibility possible to accommodate a variety of shifting scenarios without compromising UCF’s high academic quality expectations.

Explore BlendFlex

Getting Started

Where should you start when moving your face-to-face course to an online course? Adapt your in-class activities for an online environment. If using publisher content, check to see if there are online resources you can share with students. Upload your PowerPoint presentations, other documents, and reading materials to your online course in Webcourses@UCF.

Things to Consider When moving your course online

Your personalized checklist for moving your courses online

Understand the Basics

Do you have minimal experience with Webcourses@UCF (Canvas)? Perhaps you have only used Webcourses@UCF to record academic engagement activities or for the gradebook. If so, you may want to review some of the key features and tools the platform offers for offering course content online. Watch the Webcourses@UCF Faculty Tour or enroll in Essentials of Webcourses@UCF for more information about Webcourses@UCF.

Tour Webcourses@UCF

Essentials of Webcourses@UCF

Essentials of Webcourses@UCF is a self-paced, just-in-time online training course for anyone who wishes to learn the tools and functionality of the university’s learning management system (LMS), Canvas by Instructure. This excellent and comprehensive professional development course consists of a series of interactive tutorials on how to use Webcourses@UCF.

Learn More & Enroll

Publish Your Courses

Ensure your course is published. Courses that are not published will not be available for students to access. For instructions on publishing your course, please review the following documentation: How do I Publish my Course?

Review and Update your Syllabus

Review your syllabus and determine what changes need to be made. Should assignment deadlines be updated? Will course policies need to be altered? Develop a plan and share the updated syllabus with your students immediately to prevent confusion or questions. Review UCF’s Syllabus Policies and How to Use the Webcourses@UCF Syllabus Template.

Review and update your Schedule

Determine priorities during this period. What activities should be rescheduled? Include flexibility in your schedule to accommodate the duration of an online course transition. Consider using UCF’s Due Date Changer to quickly change due dates for assignments already listed within Webcourses@UCF.

COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS ONLINE

Connect with your students online by providing positive leadership and a strong online presence. Instruct students to activate their Webcourses@UCF notifications so that they don’t miss critical communications. Let students know how you will communicate changes to them, whether it be through the Inbox (course email) or course announcements.

Configuring Notification Preferences

Students and faculty should configure their notification settings when working in an online modality. 

Using Announcements in your Course

Announcements are a great tool for communicating with students about activities or updates in your course.

Using the Inbox within Webcourses@UCF

Use the Webcourses@UCF messaging system to stay in contact with your students. Review What is the Inbox? and How do I use the Inbox as an instructor? for more information about using the Inbox tool within Webcourses@UCF to communicate with students.

Using the Chat Tool as an Instructor?

If you prefer using instant messaging to communicate with students, schedule online “office hours” using the Chat tool in Webcourses@UCF. Be aware that sensitive information such as grades should not be communicated in Chat because it is viewable by all students in the course.

Deliver Live Lectures Online

Faculty have the option of using Zoom or Panopto to deliver their lectures online.

Live Lectures in Zoom

The university offers a campus-wide license for Zoom, a video conferencing platform for online classes, meetings, conferences, webinars, and lectures. If you prefer to continue holding your class synchronously at its scheduled time, but in a virtual format, you may do so using Zoom.

All UCF faculty, GTAs, staff, and students with an active NID have access to Zoom. To create a session outside of Webcourses@UCF, navigate to: http://ucf.zoom.us/. Use your NID and NID password to log in. If you need assistance, contact Webcourses@UCF Support.

View Zoom Guides

Live Lectures in Panopto

Panopto is typically used at UCF by faculty who have completed the online Teaching with Lecture Capture (TLC) training course and are scheduled to teach V or RS modality courses. However, access to Panopto is being extended for the Spring 2021 semester to accommodate remote learning needs for those with larger class sizes. Additionally, some campus classrooms have been upgraded to allow faculty teaching face-to-face to seamlessly incorporate the tool into their courses.

PANOPTO GUIDES

Record and Post Lectures

There are several different options for recording video content and posting it to Webcourses@UCF. Below are several resources based on what may work best for your course.

Schedule Live Lectures in Zoom

The university will be purchasing a campus-wide license for Zoom, a video conferencing platform for online meetings, conferences, webinars, and lectures. If you prefer to continue holding your class at its scheduled time and lecture, consider using Zoom. Many people have personal Zoom accounts and find the tool very easy to use. If you need assistance using Zoom, contact Webcourses@UCF Support.

View Zoom Guides

Conferences Within Webcourses@UCF

If you are already using the Conference tool in your course to deliver live lectures or even pre-record lectures, we recommend you continue to do so. If you are interested in creating live lectures online or pre-recorded lectures for the first time, we recommend you explore Zoom (listed above).

Creating Video Lectures Within Webcourses@UCF

You can record videos directly in Webcourses@UCF in the Rich Content Editor. Keep in mind to keep your videos short to maintain student attention and subject retention. Technology-wise, you are also likely to run into download and playing problems with a long video. Instead, think about how to restructure your presentation into chunked segments. Ideally, each segment should be concise and focused on a single topic and between 3-7 minutes in length. If you need assistance, contact Webcourses@UCF Support.

Creating Prerecorded Video Lectures with Zoom

In addition to live lectures, Zoom can also be used to deliver prerecorded lectures to your students. Simple setup a meeting in Webcourses@UCF or https://ucf.zoom.us. Once you are done recording your lecture, simply publish the lecture in your course or share the recording URL from within your Zoom user dashboard.

Creating Prerecorded Video Lectures with Panopto

If you are using Panopto, then your videos are automatically placed in a folder for your students to view within Webcourses@UCF. If you are outside of the classroom, then you can record lectures using Panopto’s Desktop Recorder on your computer. The Quick Setup Guide will show you how to download and use the Desktop Recorder. Be sure to select the correct folder for your class. The formatting should follow your course number and section. If you need assistance, contact Webcourses@UCF Support.

If you are teaching in the classroom then you can expect to find Panopto installed on the classroom’s lecturing/podium computer. Contact UCF IT Support Center at (407) 823-5117 if you need immediate help in the classroom.

PowerPoint to MP4 

Do you have PowerPoints (PPTs) already created for your lessons? You can add audio to your slides and export your PPT as an MP4 to upload to Webcoures@UCF as a video. Try to limit the amount of time you speak over each slide to keep your video short. 

View Guides

Using YouTube in Your Course

YouTube offers a wide variety of videos that you may want to use to cover face-to-face content. Check out channels like YouTube Learning for videos to add to your course. You can embed YouTube videos within Webcourses@UCF. 

If you decide to create your own videos, you can upload your videos to YouTube and embed them directly in Webcourses@UCF. Keep your videos between 3-7 minutes long, and add captions if possible. If you’re worried about uploading videos that can be viewed by anyone on YouTube, set your videos as ‘Unlisted’ so that you can share the link with your students, but they aren’t viewable by the general public.

Provide content alternatives

In the event of a quick transition to an online environment, it may not be feasible to record your own lectures or convert content into an online format. In this case, search for alternative content methods that can be embedded into your online course to save time and resources.

Provide Additional Resources

Substitute missed class sessions by providing additional readings or online materials, and follow up with an online graded discussion related to the information. Assign additional textbook readings or search for online articles that cover your course’s subject matter.

Work with Publisher Content

If you use publisher content, check with your publisher for online resources to share with students in Webcourses@UCF.

During this time of remote instruction, consider offering an eText or digital course materials instead. An added benefit of digital course materials is that they may qualify for the First Day inclusive access program through Barnes & Noble. This opt-in program allows students to immediately access their digital course materials through Webcourses@UCF at a discounted rate prior to the add/drop deadline and defer payment through their student account.

Facilitating Remote Labs

With the continued adoption of remote and online instruction, many courses have encountered a roadblock using traditional hands-on methods in the lab. View a curated list of resources for faculty with alternative approaches to lab courses normally held in person/on campus. 

Virtual and Remote Labs

UCF Libraries Services and Resources

Take advantage of online library services and resources. In addition to e-books, articles, and streaming videos available to you and your students, request library instruction, get answers to your copyright questions, and suggest consultations for your students with in-depth research needs. If you have questions, connect via Ask Us!, contact your Subject Librarian directly, or browse other services and resources.

Using LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers over 10,000 accessible videos covering a wide range of topics including business, software, technology, and creative skills. These learning modules are available for free for all UCF faculty, staff, and students. Search for LinkedIn Learning modules that can supplement or replace your face-to-face lectures, and embed the content directly into your course in Webcourses@UCF.

Watch this YouTube video for instructions on how you can share LinkedIn Learning videos within your course: Sharing Learning Videos

Explore LinkedIn Learning

Using JoVe – Journal of Visualized Experiments

Support your online labs with the new JoVE Science Education subscription. UCF has invested in a one-year institutional subscription to help with remote and online instruction. This collection of STEM based videos and demonstrations covers a range of topics from psychology, to engineering, to clinical skills. To learn how to access JoVE from the UCF library, please see the UCF Library’s Faculty Support page. Need help adding JoVE to your course?

Explore JoVE

Ensure Content Accessibility

For known students with disabilities connected with Student Accessibility Services (which would be identified through a previously received Course Accessibility Letter for Student Accessibility Services), the transition to an online course may pose some academic barriers that may warrant reasonable accommodations. The good news is there are a number of resources and tools available for you to use. To learn more about what resources and tools are available to you, please review the Webcourses@UCF Accessibility/UDL Guide.

If a student connected with Student Accessibility Services contacts you about necessary online accommodations, do your best to address. The bottom line is, during a campus emergency, do what you can to help your students and don’t let it overwhelm you. However, if a student has a need that you can’t address or if you need assistance in making your course accessible, please contact Student Accessibility Services (sas@ucf.edu or 407-823-2371).

SAS Remote Teaching & Access Guidance

Manage Student Assignments

An important consideration in transitioning from face-to-face to online is how to accept assignment submissions remotely. Webcourses@UCF consists of several tools that meet this need, from assignments to discussions to quizzes. Browse the guides below for information on each. All graded activities create a column in the Gradebook in Webcourses@UCF.

Creating Discussions

Create discussion boards in which students can interact with each other. Review How do I create a discussion as an instructor? for instructions on how to create discussion threads.

Creating Assignments

Create assignments that allow students to submit face-to-face activities online in a variety of formats from file uploads to text entries to website URLs. Link Materia widgets to an assignment for a grade. 

Using the Gradebook

Use the Webcourses@UCF Gradebook to consistently notify students of their grades. Keep in mind that for the Gradebook Totals column to be accurate, all scores for the semester must be included. Keep in contact with your Chair about when and how to submit grades. Review the Webcourses@UCF Gradebook Guides for a complete list of guides and video tutorials for using the Webcourses@UCF Gradebook.

Creating Quizzes

Review Quiz Options to learn more about Quizzes. You can find more information on creating, managing, and grading quizzes by reviewing Webcourses@UCF Support Quizzes/Survey Guides.

Test Proctoring

For faculty who offer quizzes and exams online, the University offers two options for test proctoring: ProctorHub and Respondus LockDown Browser.

For first-time users interested in a simpler proctoring system, consider using ProctorHub. If you are interested in using LockDown Browser, we encourage you to contact Webcourses@UCF Support.

ProctorHub

ProctorHub is a tool that can be added to a Webcourses@UCF course to assist with assessment authentication and to help curb cheating. ProctorHub uses a test taker’s webcam and web browser features to record test-taking sessions. Instructors are able to review individual testing sessions should they suspect issues of academic integrity.

Respondus LockDown Browser

Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Webcourses@UCF. Students are unable to copy, print, chat, or access any other applications or websites during an online exam. To use LockDown Browser for your quizzes, you will first need to enable it in your course.

Foster student-to-student communication online

Encourage your students to communicate with each other. In the event of an emergency transition to an online course, students will likely have many questions concerning updates, assignments, or other course-related topics. By fostering student-to-student communication through tools such as Discussions or Collaborations, you may mitigate the amount of time you spend answering student questions to focus on other course tasks.

Creating Discussions

Consider creating a discussion board for student questions. Encourage students to post questions and answer questions posted by others. Review How do I create a discussion as an instructor? for instructions on creating discussions within Webcourses@UCF.

Collaborations Tool

Allow students to work together on assignments as a class or in small groups. Review What are Collaborations? and How do I create a Google Docs collaboration as an instructor? for more information about collaborations within Webcoureses@UCF and how to create them.

Using the Chat Tool

Promote the Chat tool for quick instant messaging among students. Note that all chat messages are viewable by the entire course. Review What is Chat? and How do I use Chat as an instructor? for more information about the chat tool and how to use it.

Get Support

We get it. Technology can have its challenges. We’re here to help. The Webcourses@UCF Support team provides support to our students, faculty, and staff for any technical assistance, concerns, or questions related to online learning at UCF. Whether it’s Webcourses@UCF, Panopto, Materia, Obojobo, or Personalized Adaptive Learning, we provide the assistance you need.

Support Teams

System Guides

UCF Coronavirus Resources

CDL Resources