Support for a rapid transition to online instruction at VCU
Greetings Blackboard Faculty,
Learning Systems will be partnering with Online@VCU and offering support as faculty move to online instruction during COVID-19. Highlighted below are references to resources that can be used within the LMS (Blackboard) in the hopes that this will help to ease the quick transition to teaching online.
For instructional support, you can contact the Academic Learning Transformation Lab (Online@VCU) with your detailed request by filling out this form. Open office hours to support course transition will be held from 8AM-5PM Monday-Friday in room 4102L of the Academic Learning Commons (1000 Floyd Avenue).
For additional technical support for centrally-supported systems, you can send an email with your requests to consultls@vcu.edu or open a Blackboard ticket at itsupport.vcu.edu.
References to COVID-19 resources posted by VCU
alert.vcu.edu – VCU Alert – Watch for new postings and current advisories.
Keep on Teaching – Instructional support for academic continuity, remote/online teaching resources.
VCU COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – The latest updates for the VCU and VCU Health communities.
VCU Health News Site – The latest COVID-19 information posted for the VCU Health community.
Blackboard integrated resources for Online Instruction
Zoom
Technology Services Support Page for Zoom
Zoom is a desktop conferencing application that allows licensed account-holders and guests to send and receive video and audio as well as share and annotate computer content in conferences with up to 300 participants.
Blackboard Collaborate
Technology Services Support Page for Collaborate Ultra
Collaborate is a real-time audio and video conferencing tool that allows file and application sharing, content delivery through a virtual whiteboard, and interactive discussions. Collaborate Ultra opens in your browser, so there is no additional software to install, and the tool is integrated with Blackboard (VCU’s Learning Management System) for easy access within your online courses. Collaborate sessions can be recorded by instructors for playback later, via a web link or within your Blackboard course.
Blackboard Collaborate How-to videos can be found in the Learning Systems Academy
VoiceThread
Technology Services Support Page for Voicethread
Recording – Preparing for School Closures with VoiceThread workshop
VoiceThread is a tool that allows multisensory collaboration between faculty and students. Instructors can deliver their content using rich multimedia to enhance the engagement of their students. It allows audio, video, and text comments on uploaded documents, presentations, images, and video. There are no new usernames or passwords to learn, and rosters are synced automatically.
Voicethread How-To videos can be found in the Learning Systems Academy
Kaltura Capture
Kaltura Capture can be downloaded from Kaltura MediaSpace. It allows for the capture of audio, video, and presentation, which is automatically uploaded to your Kaltura MyMedia. This can be used to share on-demand (recorded) lectures to Blackboard or a separate Kaltura Channel.
Technology Services Support Page for Kaltura Capture
Kaltura Knowledge Center – Kaltura Capture How-to
Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor
Technology Services Support Page for Respondus
Lockdown Browser – A downloadable application that is installed on your local computer, providing a customized user interface within your internet browser. It does not modify existing browser(s), but installs a separate program that will display a custom browser when the RLB application is launched. Respondus LockDown Browser uses the same security features and service packs for the internet browser(s) already installed on your local computer.
This software is not intended to replace the browser used by faculty or students with Blackboard. It is only intended for use by students while taking assessments that have been prepared for use with Respondus LockDown Browser.
Monitor – An add-on for lockdown browser, using a student’s webcam and industry-leading video analytics to prevent cheating during non-proctored exams.
Respondus How-To Videos and Demos
Top Hat
Teaching with Top Hat at VCU
Technology Support Services support page for Top Hat
COVID-19 – Teaching Online with Top Hat
Top Hat is an in-class assessment tool that allows the professor to both receive and provide instant feedback on the effectiveness of their teaching or the extent to which students are learning. This tool also helps instructors activate the classroom and engage the students. It allows students to use their own mobile device for responses and only requires them to purchase a subscription for the service.