Instructional Continuity
Originally deployed to support faculty during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Instructional Continuity page will be maintained by OIT's Instructional Design and Technology team for any future campus closures or significant operational adjustments (e.g., due to hurricanes).
Since the ways in which we effectively deliver instruction, promote student interactivity, and assess learning may differ in the online environment, our team of instructional designers (IDs) and instructional learning technologists (LTAs) offers several types of support for faculty and students to ensure a smooth transition from face-to-face classes to web-based instruction and learning.
Classroom Recording Equipment
The spreadsheet below outlines which UHCL classrooms have been equipped with microphones and cameras as of August 18, 2020. OIT's Academic Computing team continues to equip additional classrooms as equipment becomes available to facilitate the use of web conferencing applications (Zoom) and lecture capture (Echo360). This spreadsheet will be updated as more rooms are equipped.
Virtual Office Hours
Join the ID/LTA team for drop-in web conference sessions in Zoom, specifically to address faculty questions about using Blackboard and other technologies to support online teaching and learning. Each session will be hosted by one or more members of the ID team. No reservations or appointments are required for these sessions. The schedule is as follows:
- Monday: 10 - 11 a.m.
- Tuesday: 1 - 2 p.m.
- Wednesday: 6 - 7 p.m.
- Thursday: 10 - 11 a.m.
Join Virtual Office Hours Zoom Meeting
One-on-One Appointments
Faculty are always welcome to request a personal web conference/virtual appointment with their designated instructional designer. Please contact the Support Center via email at supportcenter@uhcl.edu or by telephone at 281.283.2828 to do so. A member of the Support Center staff will enter your request into our help ticketing system and your instructional designer will be in touch with you shortly to schedule your appointment.
Preparation Guidelines and Recommendations
- Video: Recording of OIT Virtual Bb Instructional Continuity Session, March 17, 2020 [59:26]
- [Recorded Webinar] Preparing to Scale Online Teaching and Learning During Coronavirus
- Continuity Plan (Blackboard) Checklist
- Instructional Continuity Plan
- Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) - provides a good beginning site for transitioning to online instruction
- Indiana University’s Keep Teaching Resources
- Chronicle of Higher Education - downloadable set of articles for quick transition to an online environment
Blackboard-Specific Resources
- Document: Disaster Recovery Basics - created for use after Hurricane Harvey, but still applicable for our COVID-19 adjustments)
- Video: Post-Disaster Blackboard Basics [9:44] - created for use after Hurricane Harvey, but still applicable for our COVID-19 adjustments
- Video: Create an Announcement [2:34]
- Video: Upload a Syllabus (or other documents/files) [2:29]
- Video: Using Course Messages [1:35]
- Web Page: Using Online Discussions
- Video: Create Assignment Drop Box [2:32]
- Video: Grading Assignments [1:17]
- Video: Creating an Online Test [1:41]
- Video: Preparing Test Questions for Blackboard - Understanding Respondus-Ready Formatting [21:28]
Video Lecture/Web Conferencing/Collaborate Resources
- Document: Using Windows' Camera App to Create a Video
- Video: Using YouTube to Post Instructor-Made Videos in Blackboard [12:38]
- Online Proctoring Information (ProctorU and Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor)
Student Resources for Faculty
- Student Checklist for Online Technology Readiness
- Document: Instructions for Students - Self-Enrolling in Online Student Blackboard Training
- Submitting Video Assignments in Blackboard Via Echo360
- Document: Submitting Video Hyperlink/URL from One Drive to Blackboard
- Document: Submitting Video Hyperlink/URL from YouTube to Blackboard
- Online Proctoring Information (ProctorU and Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor)