Our experiences during the COVID-19 global pandemic have taught us that we may need to be more flexible with our class activites – and this may persist after the pandemic subsides.ÌýThis page describesÌýacademic technologies suitable for achieving specific teaching aims via a mix of modalities (synchronous and asynchronous course delivery).

For how-to details on implementing specific technologies in your classroom, visitÌýTeaching Well with Technology.

Activities & technology options

Consider various academic technologiesÌýas you design your course in terms of content delivery, communication and assessments.ÌýReview academic technology options related to:

Content Delivery
Course Communication
Assessment

Content Delivery

Academic technology options for flexible course content delivery
Activity Tool

Synchronous/Asynchronous

Deliver live lectures (and record with captions for later use) Ìý Synchronous
Pre-record lectures as videos including slides , , Asynchronous
Upload videos to stream to students (include Zoom recordings) (Canvas "My Media")Ìý Asynchronous
Record a slide show with narration , VoiceThread, or Asynchronous
Share files with your students or Asynchronous
Share a whiteboard session with your students or document camera Synchronous
Record a podcast to deliver information before class VoiceThread Asynchronous
Embed a video or post a question in a discussion board Asynchronous

Ìý

Communication

Academic technology options for flexible course communication
Activity Tool Synchronous/Asynchronous
Communicate updates, changes and other relevant information. Â鶹ÒùÔº need to change default Canvas settings so that the announcement is sent to them as an email message. Asynchronous
Survey students about their needs, accessibility and current experience in the class. Asynchronous
Communicate information and allow students to respond at any time. Asynchronous
Communicate information and allow a live response Zoom Synchronous
Facilitate written discussions among students and instructors Asynchronous
Facilitate live discussions among students and instructors Zoom breakout rooms Synchronous
Hold remote office hoursÌý Zoom Asynchronous
Start a group chat to allow casual conversation or student reminders Zoom chat or Either

Ìý

Assessment

Academic technology options for flexible assessment
Activity Tool Synchronous/Asynchronous
Collect student submissions online Asynchronous
Group work with a Google Doc Zoom breakout rooms Synchronous
Check for understanding with short graded quizzes Asynchronous
Facilitate individual or group student presentations Zoom Synchronous
Grading assignments, exams, problem sets Asynchronous
Midterm or final exam Ìýor , but mind considerations Either
Term paper Asynchronous
Recorded individual oral presentation or Asynchronous
Portfolios Asynchronous
Group paper Either

Further Reading & Resources:

ÌýHybrid strategies from the CTL

​Ìý, from OIT

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​ÌýCollege of Arts & Sciences recommendationsÌýfor teachingÌý(PDF), from fall 2020, including ideas to teach labs, field classes, large lectures, and in a remote/online environment