Continuum College Instructor Resources

Teaching Tools

Technology refers to advancements in the methods and tools we use to solve problems or achieve a goal. In the classroom, technology can encompass all kinds of tools from low-tech pencil, paper, and chalkboard to the use of presentation software high-tech tablets, online collaboration and conferencing tools, and more. The type of tech you choose depends fundamentally on what you are trying to accomplish. Select tools that support your course learning objectives.

Learning Management Systems

Learning management systems (such as Canvas or Open edX) allow instructors to organize all the resources students need for a class (e.g. syllabi, assignments, readings, online quizzes), provide valuable grading tools, and create spaces for discussion, document sharing, and video and audio commentary. These systems tend to be more sophisticated and integrated than a course website though are usually designed to have friendly and easy-to-navigate interfaces.

UW PCE supports Canvas and Open edX. For more information regarding training, visit the Training section of this website. You may also contact ctnmhelp@uw.edu for assistance.

Online Collaboration Tools

These tools allow students and instructors to share documents online, edit them in real time, and project them on a screen. This gives students a collaborative platform in which to brainstorm ideas and document their work using text and images.

UW recommends Google Apps (standalone) or Google Apps embedded in Canvas Collaborations.

Online Discussion Boards

Discussion boards can be great places for students to seek information and help outside of regular class sessions. Instructors might create prompts and ask students to respond as preparation for in-class discussion or use it as a public forum for answering clarification questions put forth by individual students. 

Presentation Software

Presentation software (such as PowerPoint) enable instructors to embed high-resolution photographs, diagrams, videos, and sound files to augment text and verbal lecture content.

If you use PPT, please download the PCE Power Point Template for your slides.

Document Cameras

Document cameras allow instructors to share and digitally project written work in the classroom. In classes that are being broadcast to online students, the document camera is preferred to the whiteboard.

Smartphones and Mobile Devices

Smartphones  can be used in a wide variety of ways from instant polling to photographing student written work for upload to the course website, to video recording processes.

Polling Tools

Polling tools (“clickers” or “classroom response systems”) are a quick and easy way to survey students during class so that you can assess students’ understanding and adjust pace and content. Look into both online and smartphone app options.

Consider PollEverywhere, Socrative, and other similar apps. However, please note that UW PCE does not provide direct tech support for these tools. UW Learning Technologies and UW-IT recommend PollEverywhere, and provide support and training. If support is needed with PollEverywhere, send a request to help@uw.edu.

Lecture-Capture Tools

Lecture-capture tools allow instructors to record lectures directly from their computer without the need for additional classroom equipment. This can be a handy option for those occasions when class cannot meet in person due to weather, illness, or other obstacles. UW-IT recommends Panopto, though UW PCE cannot provide direct tech support. If support is needed, send a request to help@uw.edu.

Lecture Streaming

Live lecture streaming allows the classroom experience to be broadcast in real-time to an online audience. What features are available (video, audio, online chat) will vary from tool to tool.

UW PCE uses in-house EDGE services for some campus credit courses, and Zoom or Panopto for most non-credit certificate courses in downtown Seattle and Bellevue.

Chat

Backchannel chat tools allow students to pose questions and information to each other without disrupting a lecture presentation. 

Zoom and Canvas have Chat tools built-in.

Quizzes and Surveys

Online quizzes and surveys can be used in a variety of ways from collecting student biographical information to checking homework comprehension.

Canvas has built in quiz and survey tools.

ChatGPT and Other AI-based Tools

Visit Teaching@UW for more information.


Updated 02/16/2024