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Resource Center for Teachers

Discover resources for NEW TEACHERS

Welcome to TAV College! We’re delighted that you’ve become part of our team. Below, you’ll find resources to support you on your path.

Download our welcoming package

NEED HELP? ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR HELP.

Send an email to: onlinehelp@tav.ca

On this page:
  • Introduction
  • Technology and Learning
  • Definitions
  • Resources for Online Teaching
  • Five Step Guide for Online Lecturing

Free remote teaching course for instructors

Provided by TÉLUQ Univeristy, Montreal – Quebec. 

*Currently only available in the French language.

1. INTRODUCTION

The Fall 2020 online semester will not only be a new experience for students, but for teachers as well. Some teachers may feel intimidated by the thought of delivering their course(s) in an online format, or some may even feel “technolgically-challenged” and unequipped to teach using technology as a means of communication. However, rest assured that the College is here to help as much as possible.

 

GUIDING PRINCIPLE AS WE NAVIGATE UNCERTAIN TIMES

WHAT IS GOOD TEACHING?

Good teachers are committed to their students. They must deal with a wide range of student abilities and challenges: different languages, different home situations, and different abilities and disabilities. They must adapt instruction and assessment to students’ needs. The whole time that these experts are navigating through the academic material, they also are taking care of the emotional needs of their students, propping up sagging self-esteem, and encouraging responsibility. From the first day of class, they carefully plan and teach the basic procedures for living and learning in their classes. Source: Anita Woolfolk, Philip H. Winne, Nancy E. Perry. (2019). Educational Psychology (Seventh Canadian Edition) [Texidium version]. Retrieved from http://texidium.com

2. Technology and Learning

Does technology use support academic learning? The answer is complex and even surprising. Computers are more likely to increase achievement if they support the basic processes that lead to learning: active engagement, frequent interaction with feedback, authenticity and real-world connection, and productive group work (A. Jackson et al., 2006; Roschelle et al., 2000; Tamim, Bernard, Borokhovski, Abrami, & Schmid, 2011). Like any teaching tool, computers can be effective if used well, but just being on a computer will not automatically increase academic achievement.

 

HOW CAN I INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY INTO MY TEACHING?

The process of integrating digital tools to support learning may seem difficult and troublesome at first, especially for teachers with weaker technological skills. Starting points include researching your school or district technology policies and procedures, identifying internal resources such as technology integration teams, seeking out training resources, and working with teachers who already use technology in their classes. 

Becoming familiar with available technological resources will help you to identify and include appropriate technologies that will enhance your teaching. *A golden rule for technology integration in any classroom is that you do not need to reinvent the wheel. Focus on identifying centres of expertise where existing resources are available to adapt and build on.

Source: Anita Woolfolk, Philip H. Winne, Nancy E. Perry. (2019). Educational Psychology (Seventh Canadian Edition) [Texidium version]. Retrieved from http://texidium.com

PEDAGOGICAL GUIDE: DIGITAL COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK (GOVERNMENT OF QUEBEC)

On April 25, 2019, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Jean-François Roberge, unveiled the Digital Competency Framework, part of the Digital Action Plan for Education and Higher Education.

The framework is one of the few action plan measures that spans multiple educational levels (preschool education through higher education, including general education for adults and vocational training) and is intended for learners, teachers and non-teaching professionals alike.

The aim of the framework is to develop digital competency, which is defined as a set of skills necessary to the confident, critical and creative use of digital technologies to achieve objectives with regard to learning, work, leisure, and inclusion or participation in society.

CAN TECHNOLOGY CHANGE EDUCATION? YES!: RAJ DHINGRA AT TEDXBEND
online-learning
e-learning-tav-college

3. Definitions For online teaching

Virtual Learning Environments

Virtual learning environments (VLEs) is a broad term that describes many ways of learning in virtual systems. The most traditional VLE is referred to as a learning management system (LMS) (see below).

Virtual learning environment (VLE)
A broad term that describes many ways of learning in virtual or online systems.

 

Source: Anita Woolfolk, Philip H. Winne, Nancy E. Perry. (2019). Educational Psychology (Seventh Canadian Edition) [Texidium version]. Retrieved from http://texidium.com

Personal Learning Environments

There are different kinds of VLEs. A personal learning environment (PLE) framework provides tools that support individualized learning in a variety of contexts and situations; the learners assume control of how and when their learning occurs.

Students working in PLEs can download an assignment at Starbucks, read the material on the bus, and then post an analysis on the discussion board at 4:00 a.m. from home. Learning in PLEs can be asynchronous—taking place anytime and anywhere. Complex PLEs include tools that assess learners’ knowledge and then adapt the next content to fit their needs. Tools that support PLEs include computer-based training modules, e-books, cognitive tutors, quizzes, and self-assessment tools.

 

Source: Anita Woolfolk, Philip H. Winne, Nancy E. Perry. (2019). Educational Psychology (Seventh Canadian Edition) [Texidium version]. Retrieved from http://texidium.com

Personal Learning Network (PLN)

personal learning network (PLN) is a framework in which knowledge is constructed through online peer interactions. PLNs consist of both synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous technologies using interactive web conferencing, hybrid classes, or online discussions.

Tools that support PLNs include web conferencing tools, instant messaging, interactive video and audio messaging, social networking, discussion boards, and blogs.

 

Source: Anita Woolfolk, Philip H. Winne, Nancy E. Perry. (2019). Educational Psychology (Seventh Canadian Edition) [Texidium version]. Retrieved from http://texidium.com

Learning management system (LMS)

System that delivers e-learning, provides tools and learning materials, keeps records, administers assessments, and manages learning. 

Examples: Omnivox, Moodle, Canvas.

 

Source: Anita Woolfolk, Philip H. Winne, Nancy E. Perry. (2019). Educational Psychology (Seventh Canadian Edition) [Texidium version]. Retrieved from http://texidium.com

UPLOAD - DOWNLOAD

Upload ↑

To transfer digital files from a computer (or digital device) onto a network (the Internet), which can then be viewed or downloaded by another user.

Download ↓

The technological process of making a copy of a digital file from a network onto a digital device.

PDF, .DOCX & .DOC

File management can be a hassle for even highly experienced technology users. One struggle for teachers is understanding file extensions when downloading assignments from students or when uploading assignment instructions. We have broken down the most common file extensions below to give you a better understanding of what kind of files your students may send you and what they will do.

PDF

PDF, which stands for “Portable Document Format,” is a multi-platform file format developed by Adobe Systems.

A PDF file captures document text, fonts, images, and even formatting of documents from a variety of applications. You can e-mail a PDF document to your friend and it will look the same way on his screen as it looks on yours, even if he has a Mac and you have a PC. Since PDFs contain color-accurate information, they should also print the same way they look on your screen.

Source: [Unknown author] PC.net. Retrived from: https://pc.net/glossary/definition/pdf July 14, 2020.

.DOCX & .DOC

Most students are using one of two document creation software. These software are very familiar to most: Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

  • Google Docs is a free software that synchronizes with many other Google applications, such as: Gmail, Google Drive, Google Slides and Google Sheets. Docs also allows users to share a link to the document where they can then collaborate, offer commentary or read the document from anywhere in the world.
  • Microsoft Word is a document creation software that you must pay for. Word offers the same options to comment on documents, however, you cannot access a Word document from anywhere in the world.

INTER-SOFTWARE FILE LANGUAGE

Luckily, although Word and Google Docs are different software, they have both made it possible to allow the user to open a file made by either-or. In other words, when you send someone a Word document, you are sending them a file containing a “.doc” file extension. For example, “englishessay.doc” You can then open this file in Google Docs if you do not have Word installed on your computer.

Similarly, when you send someone a Google Docs document, you are sending them a file containing a “.docx” file extension. For exmaple, “english-paper.docx” You can then open this file in Word if you prefer using this software.

Learn more about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_–COwIywgk

SUGGESTED NOTE: REQUEST A SPECIFIC FILE EXTENSION FROM YOUR STUDENTS

The easiest solution to avoid complications when receiving assignments from your students is to request that they send you their assignment as a PDF document. PDF documents retain the font family, font size and formatting of a document so that the teacher is seeing the same exact document that the student sent.

HOW DO I OPEN A .PDF DOCUMENT?

The easiest software for opening PDFs is Google Drive, however, most Internet browsers can now open PDFs as well.

"cloud" storage

Allows computer users to access online data storage, documentation and files from anywhere in the world. 

The opposite is stationary storage. Using stationary storage, data can only be accessed from a single computer and must be uploaded to a USB drive in order to be shared onto other computers.

Examples of Cloud storage systems include:

  • Google Drive
  • Dropbox
  • Apple iCloud
MORE TERMINOLOGIES
EXPORT

When you export a digital project, you are taking that project and collapsing it into a move-able file such as “.jpg” file, a “.pdf” or a “.mp4” When a user users a copy of this exported file, they may download and open the file to view the contents.

IMPORT

Whenever you bring new digital files into a project or document, you are importing. For example, if you are writing a document on Microsoft Word and you add an image to the document, you have imported the image.

HYPERLINK

A hyperlink (or simply a link) is generally text or graphics on a webpage or document that is click-able and allows a computer to read, identify and bring you to a specific webpage or application. For example, to get to the webpage that you are on right now, you can click on this hyperlink: Resources for Teachers.

URL

A URL, which stands for uniform resource locator, is a set of unique words, numbers and symbols that allows a Web browser to read and identify a specific webpage and then brings the user to that digital location. URLs are very similar to hyperlinks, however, the difference is that a hyperlink contains a URL. For example, as you saw above, the words “Resources for Teachers” contains the URL www.tav.ca/resources-for-teachers/ within the text. So, when you click on the words “Resources for Teachers,” you are actually clicking on a URL, but the URL is disguised as a button.

4. ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS

TAV encourages our teachers to use omnivox and google applications as much as possible for online course delivery.

LECTURING AND STUDENT MANAGEMENT

GOOGLE MEET

Free, online, multi-user video conferencing software.

Features: Easy integration with Gmail, Google Drive and Google Docs.

Pedagogical uses: Lectures, group work, individual meetings with students.

LEARN MORE >

Omnivox – Léa

Learning management system

Features: Intuitive design, centralized teaching.

Pedagogical uses: Upload assignment instructions, course readings, and virtual lectures, keep track of student attendance, upload grades.

omnivox – Mio

Messaging system for student-teache interactions.

Features: Text, video or image sending capabilities.

Pedagogical uses: Communication with students.

GOOGLE DRIVE

Free cloud storage software.

Features: Easy integration with Gmail, Google Docs and Google Slides.

Pedagogical uses: Collaborative learning, assignment/file organization, rapid document, video and image sharing.

LEARN MORE >

GOOGLE SLIDES

Free presentation software

Features: Easy integration with Google Drive, easily export to a PDF, send a hyperlink (access anywhere).

Pedagogical uses: Lecture presentations, multimedia lecture integration.

LEARN MORE >
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

GOOGLE DOCS

Free, online, document creator.

Features: Easy integration with Google Drive, multi-user co-editing capabilities (for group work), auto-saves, facilitates feedback and commentary.

Pedagogical uses: Offer feedback and/or commentary on written works, group projects.

LEARN MORE >

KAHOOT!

Free game-based learning platform.

Features: Easyily design games using different “quiz” questions.

Pedagogical uses: Increase student engagement, create a healthy virtual classroom environment.

LEARN MORE >

5. FIVE STEP GUIDE FOR ONLINE LECTURING (USING GOOGLE MEET)

1. HOW TO SETUP AND USE GOOGLE MEET

Setup a link where student’s can join your virtual classroom each week.

2. SETUP SHARING PERMISSIONS ON GOOGLE MEET

Be aware that some links are available to certain email addresses and not to others.

3. UPLOAD THE LECTURE TO YOUTUBE

Allow your students to access your lecture at anytime for reference to lecture slides and/or presentation.

4. GOOGLE MEET: THE STUDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

What will the students be seeing?

5. UPLOAD THE SESSION TO OMNIVOX

Ensure that your online lectures are available to all students by uploading them to Omnivox.

Do you have questions or comments?
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