This library provides resources to support effective teaching at the Academy of Art University.

It is divided into three sections: Resources For ALL Instructors, Resources For ONSITE Instructors, and Resources For ONLINE Instructors. You will find a wide range of materials here, including:

• guidelines, tutorials, checklists, cheat-sheets, sample files, and other supplemental teaching materials
• a schedule of Upcoming Teacher Training Workshops and links to recordings of past workshops

• a blog about online teaching

   Click here to see the latest post...

  Online Teaching Checklist - Spring 2020

  Michelle Lutt posted on Jan 09, 2020

  

  Teaching online this semester? This checklist will help keep you on track!

  Reminders:

  • Spring classes begin Monday, February 3.
    
  • Spring Art Experience classes begin Saturday, February 22.  

  • Download the Online Module Calendar.

  #1 — Get familiar with the Academy's Online Teaching Standards. Our teaching standards were updated in 2019, so please make sure you are familiar with the current expectations.  Review the full list of Standards for Online Instructors and download the rubric to help you assess your own effectiveness as an online instructor.

  #2 – Review the most recent updates to the online learning system. What's NEW Online for Spring 2020 Is your class using The Gradebook? If you haven't taught online in a while... DO YOU HAVE OUR APP? Online Education has developed Classes, an app for students and faculty, where they can check all things Academy-related. The Classes app includes the campus shuttle schedule, along with course information, online classrooms and student grades. Download the app for iOS or Android  — and tell your students about it!

  #3 – Review the Workday requirements for reporting your hours (for part-time employees only).

  #4 – Plan your time. Review & download the Online Module Calendar for this semester. Take note of the latest requirements for online participation. Set up Notifications to help you keep track of students' questions. PLEASE NOTE: This semester, Spring Break runs from Sunday, March 22, through Friday, March 27. Online classes resume on Monday, March 30.

  #5 – Clarify and post your expectations. New requirements for all online instructors: Post your Online Office Hours. Introduce your course content — and get students excited about your class!  See details... Students feel more invested — and work harder — when they understand how taking your class will change their lives for the better. To energize your students, the Academy is requiring that as part of your initial welcome and greeting all online instructors explain the learning outcomes of the class in your own words. Help students understand the relevance and value of your course: show them the big picture! Tell them why you care about this material — and why they should care. Here are a few things to think about as you formulate your comments: How will students be different at the end of this class — i.e., what skills and knowledge will they have then that they don't have now? What will they have achieved by the end of the semester? How will the course content be useful and relevant to students' future development and/or careers? How do you use the content of this course in your own professional practice? Be sure your posted policies/expectations also include: How students can succeed in this class Your grading practice (see Minimizing grade complaints) Late Homework Policy (see also Excused Lateness in Online Classes) Reiteration of your daily check-in times (see Online Office Hours) and a reminder about posting questions before your daily check-in time  Other Resources... Basic Expectations & Communication Making Announcements

  #6 – Make your class student-ready. Avoiding duplicate topics Review and edit your topics, as needed. Learn more: Setting Up Your Discussion Set up personal topics for your students, if your department requires this. Learn more: Project-Based Classes What if... you want to encourage students to discuss each other's work? Extend the close date for all your Module 1 and 2 topics to the end of Module 3, to accommodate any students who register after the semester begins. Learn more: Welcoming your later arrivals

  #7 – Get students talking. Personalize your "Welcome" topic and add an icebreaker (or create a new topic for your icebreaker). Learn more: Icebreakers & Refreshers Introduce yourself via video — and ask your students to do the same. Learn more: Connecting with your students via video You might also consider tagging all your students in this initial post. Learn more: More tips for tagging Make it easy for students to engage by posting optional topics where they can share initial ideas about the class. Learn more: Discussing "First Impressions"

  #8 – Take care of administrative tasks. Update your contact information in WorkDay. Contact HR (hr@academyart.edu) to update your contact information in the Academy's official record, if necessary. Familiarize yourself with the features of The Gradebook.  Need to contact students before school starts? Learn how: Messaging students between semesters.

  #9 – Set up an online office (optional). Request that a virtual office be set up for you (onlineoffice@academyart.edu). Attend a workshop on "Teaching in your Online Office." Learn more about Teaching in a Virtual Office.

  #10 – Get some support. Contact Faculty Evaluation & Coaching (facultyevalcoach@academyart.edu; 415-618-3855) to make an appointment for one-on-one support. Ask the Help Desk for support (online@academyart.edu; 415-618-3545) Post a question (as a Comment, below).

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