Delivering Courses Remotely
This resource contains steps that instructors can take to prepare for an interruption of on-campus courses, whether due to inclement weather, natural disaster or pandemic. These recommendations will help you to effectively deliver your courses remotely and continue the teaching and learning process.
To start, you will need to assess where you are within your course’s learning objectives and decide how to engage with your students remotely. Some questions to think about:
- How will I communicate with my students?
- What platform will I use for my course content, videos, documents etc..?
- Will I need to conduct live (synchronous) sessions?
- What activities can I ask students to engage with on their own (asynchronous)?
- What changes do I need to make to my assignments and assessments?
It is crucial for instructors to be in contact with students as soon as possible and be clear with them regarding course expectations as they evolve.
Visit the Remote Learning Webinar page for recordings of Frankfort Center webinars.
To claim your CUNY Zoom account and login to the desktop app with that account, see the Platform Support Materials section below.
Accessibility
All course content must be accessible according to guidelines in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Accessibility Resources
Platforms for Engaging in Remote Learning
There are a variety of different platforms available for different aspects of remote learning.
Platforms for Communicating with Students
With the lack of face-to-face interaction, students may need additional guidance and clarity to be sure they know exactly what is expected of them. Use the following platforms to communicate with students:
- Email (mail.hunter.cuny.edu)
- Blackboard Announcements
- Google Classroom Announcements
Platforms for Sharing Files with Students
Use the following platforms to share files (pdfs, Word Docs, Power Points etc.):
Platforms for Collecting Student Work
Use the following platforms to collect student work:
- Blackboard Assignments
- Google Classroom Classwork
- Google Drive
Platforms for Engaging in Written/Video Discussion
Remote discussions – whether synchronous or asynchronous – require carefully crafted prompts and active engagement in order to be effective. Make sure you set clear and proper expectations, monitor the discussion, and contribute when appropriate.
Use the following platforms to engage in written/video discussion:
- Blackboard Forums or Voicethread
- Google Classroom Stream
- Flipgrid – Use a huntersoe.org login
Platforms for Recording a Video Lecture
Videos can be recorded and uploaded to Blackboard, Google Classroom or Google Drive. Use can use the following to record a video lecture:
- Zoom
- Loom
- Flipgrid Shorts
- Camtasia or Snagit (contact us for a license)
- Blackboard Collaborate
- Photo Booth for Mac users only
- Camera for Windows, Android, or iOS
Platforms for Virtual Teaching and Office Hours
Meet face-to-face with students virtually. Record these sessions and post on Blackboard or in Google. Use the following platforms:
Platforms for Voice over Slides
Technical Support
Instructional Computing and Information Technology (ICIT) Help Desk
Contact the Instructional Computing and Information Technology (ICIT) Help Desk for assistance with the following platforms:
- Blackboard
- Blackboard Collaborate
- VoiceThread
Center for Online Learning
ICIT’s Center for Online Learning seeks to enrich the educational experience of students at Hunter College by encouraging the thoughtful integration of technology into the curriculum. Their team of educational technologists are available to guide, support, and collaborate with faculty, helping them incorporate technology in effective and innovative ways.
Frankfort Center for Learning and Scholarly Technologies
Contact the Frankfort Center for Learning and Scholarly Technologies for assistance with all other platform-based training needs, as well as services to support your course design process.
Visit the Remote Learning Webinar page for remote learning platform instructional videos.
Platform Support Materials
Blackboard
- Getting Started with Blackboard (Frankfort)
- Blackboard Help for Instructors
- Blackboard Videos for Instructors
- CUNY Blackboard Guide to Teaching Remotely
- Blackboard Collaborate Help
- Blackboard Collaborate Help Video (Baruch)
Flipgrid
Google Classroom
- Getting Started with Google Classroom (Frankfort)
- Assessment in Google Classroom (Frankfort)
- Google Classroom Help
Google Meet
Voicethread
Zoom
- Getting Started with Zoom (Frankfort)
- Hosting a Zoom Session (Frankfort)
- Zoom Help
- Activating your CUNY Zoom Account and Logging into the Zoom app (Frankfort)
Activating your CUNY Zoom Account
Logging into your CUNY Zoom Account on the Zoom Desktop App
Remote Placement/Fieldwork Resources
- Video of Teaching for Use as “Virtual” Fieldwork by Dr. Laura Baecher
- Lesson Deconstruction/Reconstruction as Virtual Fieldwork by Dr. Laura Baecher
- Designing K-12 Online Teaching Tasks as Virtual Fieldwork by Dr. Laura Baecher
- Assessing and Counting Virtual Fieldwork Hours by Dr. Laura Baecher
- Shifting the Clinical Experience Using Virtual Formats – US Prep
- Requesting Alternative Arrangements for edTPA due to a Virtual Learning Environment
- Request for edTPA Alternative Arrangements Form
Additional Remote Learning Resources
- Online Course Design Resources
- Hunter College Center for Online Learning
- Center for Online Learning Teaching Remotely Resources
- Emergency Remote Instruction Checklist
- How to be a Better Online Teacher
- Teaching Online Pedagogical Repository
- Key Questions for Designing Online Discussions
- Six Tips for Online Discussions
- Synchronous Online Teaching: Tips and Strategies