Online Learning Faculty Resources
The following contains helpful information to gain the knowledge and skills to听be successful in an online environment.听Expand each list item below to access more information.
Please click听here听for instructions.听
Access is available to following software:
- Microsoft Apps 365听
- Firefox
- Chrome
- New Edge
- Media Player Classic
- Notepad++
- OIV
- Mathematica
- Gantt Project
- SPSS
- DB Visualizer
- Visual Studio
- RISA 2D, 3D, Connection, Floor, Foundation (with the server set to BE-2012-INS)
- MAPP_MFT testing icons
- SolidWorks
- MATLAB
- Jamovi
Click anywhere to begin the VoiceThread below. To navigate the slides, please use the arrow in the bottom right corner.
Nelson, C. (2022). Building an Online Community. [Video]. VoiceThread file.
Proctorio is an online proctoring solution that helps you administer Blackboard based quizzes and exams.
Proctorio is available to all course modalities.听听
Proctorio offers a number of features designed to enhance academic integrity, including student identity verification and test monitoring. To learn more, play the video below.
Cremeens, L (2022). Proctorio Overview. [Video]. VoiceThread file. 听
Information from Proctorio
- What browser permissions are needed?
- How does Proctorio process data?
- What are the misconceptions about Proctorio?
Is online exam proctoring required?
No. The use of Proctorio is optional for faculty and not required.听
What are the instructor requirements?
If online proctoring is something you'd like to incorporate within your course, please copy and paste the following syllabus statement.
Syllabus Statement:
Online exams and quizzes within this course require online proctoring. Therefore, you will be required to have a webcam (USB or internal) with a microphone when taking an exam or quiz. You will have to use Google听听or听听and download听. Please have your Student ID or Government Issued Photo ID ready to show at the start of the exam.听
Students are strictly responsible for ensuring that they take all exams using a reliable computer and high-speed internet connection.听听
Find a private, quiet, and comfortable location to take your exam.听Depending on the settings of your exam, you may be asked to do a room scan; turning your web camera to look at the room.听Please note, recordings from any private residence must be done with the permission of all persons residing in the residence.听You must ensure that any recordings do not invade any third-party privacy rights and accept all responsibility and liability for violations of any third-party privacy concerns.
If you need more privacy or a stable internet connection, the library offers space with a computer for taking your proctored tests.听 There are rooms available during the library鈥檚 open hours on a first-come, first-served basis. You can reserve a room online up to 30 days in advance with听the听, which is recommended given the limited availability. For more information about the Rice Library鈥檚听Proctorio/Zoom Rooms, please email听libcirc@usi.edu.听
Setup information will be provided prior to taking the proctored exam. You do not need to schedule exams ahead of time, simply go into Blackboard and take the exam. For additional information about online proctoring, you can visit the听Online Proctoring Student FAQ听webpage.听听
For remote proctoring, you must have:听
-
- Webcam w/ Microphone
- 听OR听听& Download听
- Student or Government Photo ID
- Reliable Internet Connection
- Quiet, private location听
- Be prepared to scan room w/ camera听
Proctorio听offers 24/7 support听听
-
- Email:听support@proctorio.com
- Chat through听ProctorioExtension听
How do I get started?
You should see the听Proctorio/Secure Exam Proctor link under the "Proctorio听Setup & Info鈥 within your Blackboard Navigation.听To use听Proctorio听you must do the following:
-
- Use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge听
- Install the Proctorio Extension听
- Google Chrome:听听听听
- Microsoft:听
- Click on the 鈥淪ecure Exam Proctor鈥 link within your course.听
- Add the Proctorio Statement to your syllabus (see statement above)听
- Review best practices with your students ()
For questions and assistance contact听Online Learning.
What about Student Privacy?
Privacy provisions have been established to ensure student privacy and FERPA compliance.听For more, visit the听
For Faculty:
Common Troubleshooting Tips for Proctorio
For Faculty: Overview of Proctorio Best Practices
For Faculty: Overview of Proctorio Settings
For Faculty: Overview of Proctorio Gradebook
Download 'History of 91社区' Practice Exam
For more information on importing this test into Blackboard, please watch the following Tech Takeaway Video:
The听Guidelines for Online Learning Equivalent Instructional Activities (EIAs)听assists in correlating online course content, learning activities and assessments to the credit hour standard. These guidelines are intended to assure consistency across the University for evaluating equivalencies between online and face-to-face classroom instructional activities and allocating instructional time for each activity.
Please click here听to login for access to instructions on installing the 91社区 VPN client.
The Online Learning office offers comprehensive consultation to help faculty design in the online environment, answer questions, and solve any issues they might be experiences in their current online courses.
Our experienced team of instructional designers will be ready to assist you with topics related to teaching techniques, course design, the online learning environment, and the instructional technologies.
To schedule an appointment,听email听online.support@usi.edu.听Please include your contact information, the best time to reach you, and a brief summary of the topic you would like to discuss during the meeting.
Tech Takeaways are quick video tutorials on using the above technologies. Please view the听听page to learn more.
Video Conferencing with Zoom
Zoom is a desktop video conferencing solution perfect for meeting with individuals or groups.
Types of Zoom Accounts:
- Basic:听A basic user is a free account user who can host up to 40 minutes meetings when there are more than 2 people in the meeting. This can be used for lecture recording and for office hours.
- Pro:听A pro user is a paid account user who can host unlimited meetings on the public cloud. Can be used for class sessions and meetings.
Getting the Appropriate Account Type:
Downloading the Zoom Client:
- Visit to download the Zoom Client on your computer or mobile device.
For a desktop computer, please follow these instructions:
-
- Click the听Download听button under听Zoom Client for Meetings.
- The Zoom file will be downloaded automatically. Run the downloaded file to install the app.
- Note:听if you have trouble finding the downloaded file, please go to the "downloads" folder on your computer, look for the听zoominstaller听or听zoomlauncher听file, and run it by double-clicking it.
- For mobile devices the process is similar to downloading other apps.
- Open the Zoom application and click Sign In
- Sign in with SSO
- Type 91社区听as the company domain
- Log in using your my91社区 username and password
Logging in to Zoom:
- Log in to
- Click on the Zoom听app icon under Eagles Apps
Joining a Zoom Meeting:
To join a scheduled meeting, you can do听ONE听of the following options:
-
- If the host of the meeting has sent an invitation, then click on the link following the text 鈥淛oin form PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:鈥 provided in the email or calendar invitation.
OR - If the host shared the Meeting ID by another method, then you may join the meeting by logging in to Zoom via my91社区, clicking the听Join听button and then typing in the Meeting ID.
- If the host of the meeting has sent an invitation, then click on the link following the text 鈥淛oin form PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:鈥 provided in the email or calendar invitation.
View the brief听Join a Meeting video for more information.听
Scheduling a Zoom Meeting:
- After logging in to Zoom via my91社区 with either a Basic or Pro account, you may schedule a Zoom meeting and invite others to the meeting.
- Please view this brief video听Scheduling a Meeting听to learn more.听
Starting a Scheduled Zoom Meeting:
- Log in to Zoom via my91社区 with either a Basic or Pro account
- Click on听Meetings
- Select听Upcoming Meetings听and click on听Start听button on right for the scheduled meeting.
Using Additional Zoom听Features:
Meeting Controls:
Zoom Advanced Settings:
Sharing your Screen:
Recording a Zoom Meeting:
Using Breakout Rooms During a Meeting:
Polling for Zoom Meetings and Webinars:
How to Use Waiting Rooms to Manage Office Hours & Drop-In Visitor Times:
Enabling Closed Captions:
Tips and Tricks for Teachers Educating on Zoom听(PDF)
Best Practices for Using Zoom for Web Conferencing听(PDF: faculty - place in BB if appropriate)
Comprehensive Guide to Educating Through Zoom听(PDF)
For additional Zoom tutorials, please go to the听.
- Do not share your meeting link on social media or any public forum 鈥 posting it to Blackboard or within your group in Teams is fine, that is a protected space, but forward facing media is not private or protected, and anyone can get to that link.
- Avoid using your Personal Meeting ID (PMI) in public events. The PMI is basically one continuous meeting and if someone has access to that, they can join any Zoom session you host. So for your courses, I would typically say to use your PMI, but if you are going to post it on a front-facing website, then always choose to 鈥渁utomatically generate鈥 your Meeting ID 鈥 this way it is a random number, and not your personal Meeting ID shared publicly.
- Allow only signed-in users to join. Please view the听听page.
- When you set up your meeting, if you are only inviting 91社区 students in your class, and not any outside guests, you can choose the option to allow only authenticated users to join. They must sign into Zoom (see screenshot of the meeting settings to check) 鈥 this means they must have a registered Zoom account and login to it to join. However, this option is not a good one if you have an outside guest or someone assisting students that does not have a 91社区 email account (for example, an interpreter).
- When you set up your meeting, if you are only inviting 91社区 students in your class, and not any outside guests, you can choose the option to allow only authenticated users to join. They must sign into Zoom (see screenshot of the meeting settings to check) 鈥 this means they must have a registered Zoom account and login to it to join. However, this option is not a good one if you have an outside guest or someone assisting students that does not have a 91社区 email account (for example, an interpreter).
- You can听;听however, if a student/participant gets 鈥渒icked out鈥 (loses connection) during a meeting, once it is locked, they cannot be readmitted.
- You can听听and prevent them from rejoining. You can also use the settings features in the participants list.
- 听鈥 our default setting in our global Zoom account has been set that the host is the only one who can share. This is a precaution taken to ensure that the host controls screen sharing control.
- It is best to limit this to those whom you know need to share their screen. To do this, the best practice is to make these individuals a co-host (you can have unlimited co-hosts). This way each person that needs screen-sharing capabilities has it and you have full awareness of who has this functionality.听
- It is best to limit this to those whom you know need to share their screen. To do this, the best practice is to make these individuals a co-host (you can have unlimited co-hosts). This way each person that needs screen-sharing capabilities has it and you have full awareness of who has this functionality.听
- There are two ways to manage who may attend your meetings. You can enable the Waiting Room and/or set a passcode. After听September 27, 2020, for security purposes, you听MUST听have either a Waiting Room enabled or a passcode set.
- By enabling the听, you must admit each participant. You can also customize the Waiting Room by choosing to admit participants on a case-by-case basis or admit them all at once.
- As听 an extra layer of protection听; however, keep in mind that you will need to make sure you remind your students/meeting participants of the password if one is set. 91社区 has enabled the feature that embeds the passcode into the web link, so that students can pass right into the class if need be. Anyone with only the meeting ID but no passcode will not be able to join.
Edit/Create Content:
Set up Blackboard Course to Distribute Materials:
- 听
Add Blackboard Communication Tools to Interact with Students:
Configure Blackboard Tools with Assignments and Assessments:
Grading in Blackboard:
If you already have exams or quizzes created on a Word document and would like to convert them to Blackboard content, please follow the steps below.听
This supports听Multiple Choice, Multiple Answer, True/False, Essay, Matching, and Fill-in-the-Blank听questions.听
- 听to convert your exams into a .txt file.听
- Upload the .txt file to your test/quiz in your Blackboard course.
-
- Login to your Blackboard course
- 听Click "Course Tools", located under "Course Management"
- Select "Tests, Surveys, and Pools" from the drop-down options
- Select "Test"
- Click "Build Test"
- Give the test a title and click 鈥沦耻产尘颈迟鈥.
- Click on 鈥淯pload Questions鈥.
- Click "Browse", select the .txt file you downloaded from the quiz generator, update the points per question and then click "Submit"
- Add a description to the test, setup the , and click "Submit"
Please view the video below for more information.
The Online Learning Office is committed to providing faculty with all they need to be successful in teaching in an online environment. We offer many services that range from how to develop an online course to training on how to use programs such as VoiceThread and many other services. To learn more about specific technology and software, you can visit the links below that provide you with information regarding specific programs that we recommend.
For assistance, please email听online.support@usi.edu听to schedule an appointment with an instructional designer.
-
- New VoiceThread Assignment Setups:
- 听听听
- 鈥听
- Download General Instructions for VoiceThread Assignments on Blackboard
- New VoiceThread Assignment Setups:
-
- 听(lecture recording)
- 听(live class sessions)
Tech Takeaways are quick video tutorials on using the above technologies. Please view the听听page to learn more.
The听LibGuide听provides research services and support for 91社区's online community of learners and instructors.
听is a faculty-centered, nationally recognized, peer review process that is designed to certify the quality of online courses and online components. The peer review process is based on the Quality Matters Rubric, which is comprised of 8 General Standards and 43 Specific Review Standards.听
The Eight General Standards:
- Course Overview and Introduction
- Learning Objectives (Competencies)
- Assessment and Measurement
- Instructional Materials
- Course Activities and Learner Interaction
- Course Technology
- Learner Support
- Accessibility and Usability
The 91社区 is a Quality Matters subscribing institution. Every semester, Online Learning hosts QM workshops to help faculty become familiar with the review process and rubric.听
If you are interested in learning more about the QM review process and rubric or becoming a Peer Reviewer, please听email听Online Learning.听
91社区 QM-Certified Courses
Templates听
- Syllabus Template (click to download) - Updated December 2023
- Course Calendars:
Instructions to upload Online Learning Blackboard (Bb) template听
Download the Bb template you would like to use by clicking on the following links
Department/Program Specific Templates:
- Login to Blackboard and access the course where you would like to upload the Blackboard template
- Delete all the tabs in your Blackboard site. If you have already imported or uploaded content into the course, delete all the tabs except the ones with content. To remove the tabs, please follow these steps:
- On the right-hand corner of the page, turn Edit Mode to "ON."听
- On the left navigation menu, click the arrow next to the tab would you like to delete
- Select "Delete"
- Repeat these steps for the rest of the tabs in your Blackboard site
- On the right-hand corner of the page, turn Edit Mode to "ON."听
- Import Online Learning Template by following these steps:
- Under 鈥淐ourse Management鈥听select听鈥淧ackages and Utilities,鈥听then听select 鈥淚mport Package/View Logs.鈥
- Click鈥淚mport Package鈥
- Click on 鈥淏rowse Computer鈥 and select the template you downloaded from the Online Learning website
- Under 鈥淪elect Course Materials,鈥听click on听鈥淪elect All.鈥
- Click 鈥沦耻产尘颈迟鈥
- The import process takes a few minutes. An email will be sent to you when the import is complete.
- Under 鈥淐ourse Management鈥听select听鈥淧ackages and Utilities,鈥听then听select 鈥淚mport Package/View Logs.鈥
- Apple devices:
- to view instructions for uploading scanned documents from an Apple device.
- Android devices:
- to view instructions for uploading scanned documents from an Android device.
Online Learning offers the Online Course Development Program (OCDP) three times a year.
Faculty participate in the OCDP as a cohort. Each cohort will work in the semester prior and develop online courses for the following semester. For example, the Summer 2024 OCDP cohort develops Fall 2024 courses; the Fall 2024 OCDP cohort develops Spring 2025 courses, etc.听
The OCDP encourages and accelerates the development of quality online programs that align with the听university's strategic priorities. These priorities include, but are not limited to, the development of courses for听Core 39, online degree programs, and high demand courses.
Program Overview
The estimated time commitment is 60+听hours to听complete听the听program requirements.听By听submitting a proposal and approval form, the听faculty听agrees听to:
-
- Attend a full-day workshop on Applying, the Quality Matters Rubric (APPQMR);
- Attend two cohort sessions (each of them 60 to 90 minutes);
- Complete all module activities within the OCDP Blackboard site;
- Attend scheduled meetings with an assigned instructional designer;
- Present his/her work at the faculty showcase event at the end of the program;
- Develop the entire course (including lectures, quizzes, assignments, projects, exams, etc.) prior to the QM Course Review, and
- Participate in the QM Course Review and make the necessary changes (if any) to meet QM standards prior to the start of the semester the course will be taught.
Eligibility for Course Revision
A course that has been previously developed in the OCDP may be eligible for a course revision. A faculty member may propose a course for course revision and participate in the OCDP cohort if at least one of the following criteria is met:
-
- The online course was developed in the Online Course Development Program at least 3 years ago.
- At least 50% of the course (lectures, quizzes, assignments, projects, exams, etc.) need updating.
- The delivery format of the course is transitioning from a full-term course to an accelerated 7-week format.
Stipend
-
For faculty, the stipend听($1000/credit hour not to exceed $4000 for a new course development)听or听($1000 total for a course revision) paid pursuant to this Program is pay for the performance of duties that are outside the scope of the academic period of their contracted agreement and, for administrative staff, for the performance of duties that are outside the usual position function and schedule.
-
Participants may receive only one stipend per semester under the program.听
-
The development of the course is considered to be a听听under 91社区's Intellectual Property Policy.听
-
The stipend will be released only after听participants have completed the OCDP Program Requirements.
-
If selected, stipends paid pursuant to this Program听are Academic Supplemental or Supplemental pay under the university's Stipend and Supplemental Pay Policy.
Program Schedule
Summer 2025 Cohort Schedule听(January 9 - May 2, 2025)
Submission Process听
- Complete the Approval Form:
- Form will then be auto-routed to Chair and then your Dean for signature.听 听
- After all signatures are obtained, you will receive a copy of the form with all the electronic signatures.
Learning to Teach Online (LTO) is a self-paced online course in Blackboard designed to provide resources necessary to successfully teach an online course. The focus is on the delivery of an online course, not the design. The course is open to 91社区 faculty and 91社区 administrative employees. Meeting with an Instructional Designer to address questions that arise or seek assistance is provided throughout the course. The LTO is comprised of 4 modules that include:
- Introduction
- Best Practices
- Analytics
- Next Steps
Request:
Have further questions?
Contact Online Learning:听email听or call听(812) 228-5124听to schedule a consultation.听
The Self-Paced Online Course Development Program (OCDP) is a professional development program intended to support faculty in the design and development of quality online courses.听 The program is entirely online in Blackboard and is open to 91社区 faculty and 91社区 administrative employees.听 Throughout the online course an assigned Instructional Designer will be available for consultations to answer questions, look over the required deliverables, and brainstorm different ideas.听 The Self-Paced OCDP has 10 modules that include:
- Introduction
- Start with the End in Mind
- Design your Curriculum Blueprint
- Creating the Course Syllabus and Calendar
- Instructional Technologies
- Learner Interactions
- Integrating Learning Objectives
- Assignment Descriptions and Rubrics
- Library Resources
- Best Practices in Online Teaching
The developed courses will be evaluated using the Quality Matters (QM) 7th edition rubric.
Request:
Have further questions?
Contact Online Learning: Email听online.support@usi.edu听or call 812-228-5124 for a consultation.听
The Online Learning office offers comprehensive consultation to help faculty design in the online environment, answer questions, and solve any issues they might be experiences in their current online courses.
Our experienced team of instructional designers will be ready to assist you with topics related to teaching techniques, course design, the online learning environment, and the instructional technologies.
To schedule an appointment,听email听online.support@usi.edu.听Please include your contact information, the best time to reach you, and a brief summary of the topic you would like to discuss during the meeting.