Explore this fascinating research that connects teaching best practices to how instructors can best deliver content, whether that be synchronously or asynchronously--and whether in the classroom or online. 12 Tips for Online Teaching Derived from Contemporary...
Active Learning Classroom at WWU: Interdisciplinary Science Building Classroom Technology
Three general university classrooms have been created for student engagement and active learning in WWU's Interdisciplinary Science Building. Each room has multiple screens available for both instructor and student use during group work sessions. Participants are able...
Addressing Compassion Fatigue
As a result of hardships related to COVID-19 and many other stresses in present-day life for us and our students, many of us may be feeling compassion fatigue. This can lead to distress or burnout. In the article, “Are you experiencing compassion fatigue?” (2022),...
AI and Chatbots Teaching Considerations
Updated 10/30/24 Research and articles about artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbots such as Chat GPT have exploded onto the higher education scene, along with much concern and fascination. ATUS instructional designers developed the following considerations based...
Alternative Assessment Options for Remote Instruction
Using Canvas quizzes, you can create assessments similar to what you may have given in a face-to-face class. However, there are other forms of assessment that focus on students producing knowledge and then sharing that knowledge with their classmates. Explore some...
Alternative Grading: Using Contract Grading Effectively
by Kamarie Chapman, Senior Instructor, Theatre and Dance, WWU Overview The idea of alternate grading (ungrading) was presented to me during the spring quarter of 2021. All the courses were offered online and students could opt to take a class as Pass/No Pass up...
Best Practices for Creating Online Quizzes and Exams
Explore Best Practices for Creating Online Quizzes and Exams for ideas for designing online quizzes and exams using the tools available at Western. This guide includes the following topics: How to Design a Quiz or Survey Accessibility & Moderating Quizzes...
Building a Wiki Page in Canvas
by Rebecca Borowski, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, WWU Getting bored with Discussion boards? Consider having students post to a wiki! A wiki is a website that can be edited by multiple users. Rather than discussion boards, where students reply...
Building Accountability During Breakout Rooms
by Rebecca Borowski, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics, WWU Have you ever popped into a breakout room to check on your students, only to find cameras off, everyone muted, apparently using the time for their own purposes, rather than engaging with each...
Building Classroom Community Guidelines
Contributed to the TLCo-op by Alina Holmes, Graduate Research Assistant of the Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment, 2020. As teachers, we all know that it is important to set expectations at the start of the quarter for all students. One way to consider...
Building Community Using Flip
Contributed to the TLCo-op by Alina Holmes, Graduate Research Assistant of the Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment, 2020. If you are looking for a safe, inclusive, and free virtual space to create classroom groups and discussions, Flip is the tool for...
Building Trust in an Online Environment
Contributed to the TLCo-op by Alina Holmes, Graduate Research Assistant of the Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment, 2020. One of the many reasons that people decide to go into teaching is because they like working with learners who are often young...
Canvas and HTML
You can easily edit in HTML in Canvas to build your site if you have some basic HTML skills to add interactivity into your Canvas course. Using HTML will allow you to do things like embed videos or Google slides, or add tabs to your site as a way to organize content...
Canvas Assignments: Simcheck Basics for Plagiarism Detection
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how to use SimCheck, an online plagiarism detection and educational option that is integrated with Canvas assignments. For assistance with Canvas, see: Canvas Help at WWU. See also: How...
Canvas Course Import Tool
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how can copy course content such as assignments, modules, pages, and discussions from previous Canvas courses into existing courses. You only have access to copy content from courses in...
Canvas: Annotation Option for Assignments
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how to use the "annotated submission" option on Canvas assignments. For assistance with Canvas, see: Canvas Help at WWU.
Canvas: Making Your Course Public
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how to change the visibility settings to make your Canvas course available to people inside and outside of the Western system. This includes an overview of what people outside the system...
Canvas: Module Basics
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of the Modules feature in Canvas: How to add to and organize a module, edit module content, and add prerequisites and requirements to modules. See also: How do I add a module? How do I...
Canvas: Setting Up a Custom Home Page
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how to change what is displayed on the Home navigational item for your Canvas course from the default (the Activity Stream) to something else, such as the course Modules, or a custom Home...
Canvas: Submitting a Google Docs URL
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how to submit an assignment from your Google Drive, using the URL instead of the Google Drive (LTI) tab, including how to change the permission settings to allow access to your document...
Canvas: Using the Redirect Tool (App)
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of the Redirect Tool, which can be used to add a unique item to the course navigation of your Canvas course that redirects students to a link that might be used often in your class (e.g., a...
Canvas: Using the Undelete Function
This video from WWU's Instructional Design Video Library provides an overview of how to recover Canvas content you have deleted, perhaps by accident, that you would like to recover to your course. See also: How do I delete a file or folder as an instructor? For...
Connecting with Support Techs for Accommodations
New online course formats may require the implementation of new accommodations by providing course recordings, captions, real-time remote transcription, among others. Students with disabilities can work with the Disability Access Center (DAC) to determine how Western...
Creating a WordPress Site With WordPress for Your Class
Interested in using WordPress to create your own class site, personal site, or portfolio site? Visit https://wp.wwu.edu to get started on creating your personalized website. Simply select which type of WordPress website you're interested in creating and enter your...
Do you think all students can learn? Think again…
by Deborah Hanuscin, Professor, SMATE and Elementary Education, WWU The belief that “all students can learn” is widely proclaimed in support of high expectations for all students, particularly diverse learners. I, too, have espoused this premise in the past as part of...
Engagement Activity: Virtual Chalk Talk in Zoom
Contributed to the TLCo-op by Alina Holmes, Graduate Research Assistant of the Center for Instructional Innovation and Assessment, 2020. Chalk Talks are an easy way to engage students, soliciting specific responses or having them ask questions about any part of the...
Equitable Assessment and Grading Methods
Traditional assessment strategies such as exams and quizzes are not always the most impactful way to measure student learning. Equitable assessment strategies provide students with opportunities to express their learning and growth in more than one way. This...