Flexible Teaching
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for greater flexibility in class activities—an approach that remains relevant even as we move forward. This page highlights academic technologies that support a range of teaching goals through both synchronous and asynchronous methods.
For detailed instructions on implementing these tools, visit Teaching Well with Technology.
Activities & Technology Options
When designing your course, consider using academic technologies tailored to these key areas:
- Content Delivery
- Course Communication
- Assessment
Each category offers tools and strategies to enhance the learning experience and meet your teaching objectives.
Content Delivery
| Activity | Tool | Synchronous/Asynchronous |
|---|---|---|
| Deliver live lectures (and record with captions for later use) | Zoom | Synchronous |
| Pre-record lectures as videos including slides | Zoom, Classroom Capture, Personal Capture | Asynchronous |
| Upload videos to stream to students (include Zoom recordings) | Kaltura (Canvas "My Media") | Asynchronous |
| Record a slide show with narration | Zoom, VoiceThread, or PowerPoint Voiceover | Asynchronous |
| Share files with your students | Canvas Files or Google Drive | Asynchronous |
| Share a whiteboard session with your students | Zoom Whiteboard 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 | Canvas Discussions | Asynchronous |
Course Communication
| Activity | Tool | Synchronous/Asynchronous |
|---|---|---|
| Communicate updates, changes and other relevant information. Students need to change default Canvas settings so that the announcement is sent to them as an email message. | Canvas Announcements | Asynchronous |
| Survey students about their needs, accessibility and current experience in the class. | Canvas Ungraded Survey | Asynchronous |
| Communicate information and allow students to respond at any time. | Canvas Conversations | Asynchronous |
| Communicate information and allow a live response | Zoom | Synchronous |
| Facilitate written discussions among students and instructors | Canvas Discussions | Asynchronous |
| Facilitate live discussions among students and instructors | Zoom breakout rooms | Synchronous |
| Hold remote office hours | Zoom | Asynchronous |
| Start a group chat to allow casual conversation or student reminders | Zoom chat or Canvas chat | Either |
Assessment
| Activity | Tool | Synchronous/Asynchronous |
|---|---|---|
| Collect student submissions online | Canvas Assignments | Asynchronous |
| Group work with a Google Doc | Zoom breakout rooms | Synchronous |
| Check for understanding with short graded quizzes | Canvas Quizzes | Asynchronous |
| Facilitate individual or group student presentations | Zoom | Synchronous |
| Grading assignments, exams, problem sets | Canvas Speedgrader | Asynchronous |
| Midterm or final exam | Canvas Quizzes or Proctorio, but mind considerations | Either |
| Term paper | Canvas Assignments | Asynchronous |
| Recorded individual oral presentation | Canvas Assignments or Discussions | Asynchronous |
| Portfolios | Digication | Asynchronous |
| Group paper | Canvas Assignments | Either |
Further Reading & Resources:
Hybrid strategies from the CTL
Tips for recording lectures from home, from OIT
OIT modality descriptions & technology options
Request a Technology Copilot from OIT
College of Arts & Sciences recommendations for teaching (PDF), from fall 2020, including ideas to teach labs, field classes, large lectures, and in a remote/online environment