Remote teaching action plan for the new session

• Check the campus reactivation portal and how will this affect your subject
• Check if you have access to the UTS technologies you’ll need, such as Canvas, Zoom, UTSOnline and Office365 off campus
• Make sure you have the VPN up and running for when you’re working remotely
• Make sure you have access to a computer with a webcam and microphone for your online classes

• Check the Teaching & Learning section of the Campus Reactivation Portal for reactivation principles, FAQs and resource
• Find how you can set up the UTS Remote Access (VPN)

• The LX.lab still has some microphones available for loan
• For any issues with technology access or VPN, lodge a service request to ITD via ServiceConnect

• Review the content of your Canvas or UTSOnline sites (The Autumn version of that subjects will be automatically copied over into the Spring sites)  
• If you are using MS Teams, Autumn Teams sites will need to be archived and a new version created for Spring
• Double check if all files and links are up to date 
• Make content accessible to all – in the remote teaching mode, it is even more important that all students are able to access learning content and activities easily

• Check out feedback from students on what UTS students want from remote teaching
• Find out more about the Canvas shell
• Get your site organised using our Canvas Style Guide and subject shell guidelines
• Check our guide to creating accessible digital content

The LX.lab offers learning design and learning technologies support to staff. If you need a hand checking you subjects site, lodge a ticket to the LX.lab team via ServiceConnect at www.lx.labservice.uts.edu.au

Adapt your content for remote, face-to-face or mixed-mode learning. These are all different, but the basic steps are the same.

First, students need access to the content of their learning. This could be via:

• Readings or other online resources 
• Powerpoint slides – with or without voiceover
• Short DIY videos 
• Curated open-access resources

Next, students need activities to help them make sense of their learning:

• Set up a discussion forum in Canvas or a Discussion in UTSOnline (Blackboard)
• Use some simple and effective techniques to make your online discussions more engaging, like Think, Pair, Share or a Debate
• Try other techniques such as Backchanneling

Then, students need formative assessment to help them improve their learning – a simple way to do this online is to provide an online quiz through UTSOnline or Canvas. Our remote teaching toolkit has lots of advice on how to approach assessment and feedback online.

• Think about how you will adapt your subject content for online delivery
• Access the Online Educational Resources in the UTS Library website
• Check out how-to guides on converting your face-to-face content to video for students
• Check out how to set up Discussions for Canvas or UTSOnline (Blackboard)
• See options to make your online discussions more engaging
• Check out the Backchanneling technique
• Set up online quizzes in UTSOnline or Canvas
• Visit the Spring Reactivation Toolkit

The LX.lab media team can help you with producing, processing, captioning and distributing your multimedia learning materials. Find out more about LX.lab media services.

Thinking about whether you really need to hold live classes via Zoom is a good place to start. It’s worth considering whether you could use Microsoft Teams to incorporate some more collaborative activities – synchronous or asynchronous – into your class.

• Reflect whether you really need to hold live classes via Zoom
• Compare Zoom x Teams so you’re clear on which tool is right for your purpose
• Check how other academics are using Teams

If you have a large class, the LX.lab can help with syncing MS Teams sites with Canvas or UTSOnline enrolments, as well as syncing tutorial groups enrolments with private channels on Teams. To get help synching your Teams site, submit a ServiceConnect ticket to the LX.Lab via www.lxlabservices.edu.au – note that it may take a couple of days for the process to be completed.

• Determine your preferred channel to communicate with students and after you do, post this prominently on Canvas or UTSOnline
• Ask your students to keep their communication lines open (Canvas users: make sure students have not opted out of Canvas notifications)
• If you have students located in mainland China, you may wish to use email or another channel
• Be aware of the potential for information overload, and that students will be receiving announcements from multiple subjects

• Check the Canvas Announcements guideline 
• Check the technology recommendations for communicating with students in China
• Check the best communication tools in Canvas from our Resources site
• Blackboard assistance can be found on the UTSOnline help site

• Not sure the best way to communicate with your students? If you need help with alternative technologies lodge a ticket to the LX.lab team via ServiceConnect at www.lx.labservice.uts.edu.au
• The LX.lab is also running lots of workshops and webinars on these for Spring – check the schedule for details

Use UTS supported tools – UTSOnline, Canvas, Kaltura, Office 365 and Teams, Zoom – will ensure you will be able to get prompt advice and help should anything go wrong. It will also reduce the additional stress on you and your students associated with learning new tools.

• Canvas resources 
• UTSOnline help site 
• Kaltura
• MS Teams
• Zoom

Mixing technical and learning design expertise, the LX.lab offers learning technologies support to all staff. Request online support or book a consultation by lodging a ticket via ServiceConnect at www.lxlabresources.uts.edu.au 

Our team is also available via live chat for general questions about our services and events – https://lx.uts.edu.au/

Many students will have experienced remote teaching before and will have ideas about what works for them and what they find more difficult. Checking in and asking for their opinion in the first few weeks could be very valuable.

Some students will have additional challenges during this time due to technology access or access needs, or due to changed personal circumstances. For instance, some students may normally rely on the campus WiFi network. Be prepared to be flexible for those students. Again, sticking to the supported tools, and having low tech back-up options is the best bet.

If you have students who are in mainland China, check the technology guidance for those students.

Ask your students how you can help them, and as always be prepared to direct them to UTS support services.

• Seek informal feedback from students on how they feel things are going in the subject – one simple way to do this is via a anonymous poll
• Build in some feedback to students on their progress at an early stage, so that they have the opportunity to act on it – doing this via a quiz or H5P module can save you time
• Follow our Quick Start guide to assessment to adapt your assessment strategy for remote teaching

As you work through the action plan you will see there are many services and support options are available to you. These are hyperlinked to take you directly to the supporter request for help site.

• You can read more about ‘where to get help’ on this comprehensive list of support at UTS
• We’ve also put together a list of common questions and how to get help with them

Browse through our online collection of guidelines and how-to’s on learning design and learning technologies at UTS. This collection is updated regularly with the latest changes in the UTS ecosystem.

Discover LX Resources: https://lx.uts.edu.au/resources/

A mix of technical knowledge and learning design expertise. Here is what the LX.lab help you with:

• Using Canvas, UTSOnline, Zoom, REVIEW, Turnitin, MS Teams and other learning technologies 
• Troubleshooting design issues within your Canvas or Blackboard site 
• Questions on learning technology integrations
• Media – video and audio – productions for use in your subject.
• Requesting an MS Teams site
• Setup your H5P account in Canvas and Blackboard
• Help you with your end-of-session grades submission
• Accessibility checks

Lodge a ticket to the LX.lab: http://www.lxlabservices.uts.edu.au/

The AVS team offers training to use audio visual equipment, solve equipment problems and loans portable equipment. Here is what they can help you with:

• Using Zoom 
• Requesting Zoom webinar licenses 
• Book training for an AV equipment
• Book a portable equipment loan
• Equipment fault rectification

Phone support from 7:30am to 8:30pm on weekdays at 9514 2538

Lodge a ticket to AVS: https://uts.service-now.com/serviceconnect/?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=dea22a85dbac4810e56c1c0e049619ea

The Information Technology Support Centre (ITSC) in ITD assists with general IT related issues and enquiries. This is particularly handy if you are unsure of where to log your request.

ServiceConnect is the first point of contact for staff for IT Support enquiries and has two main functions:

• An online knowledge base with self-service instructions to provide specific help for common queries such as connecting to wireless
• ServiceConnect, where you can submit a support request, including booking of audio visual equipment

Phone support: +61 2 9514 2222 or from an internal UTS phone dial 2222; hours of operation: Monday to Friday (8am-9:30pm), Saturday and Sunday (9-5pm)