Online Teaching & Learning Resources
The teaching and learning resources on this page are intended to be used to help instructors apply SPCS Guiding Principles to online learning environments.
There are thousands of resources that could be included in this list. We’ve curated these resources from among personal experience and recommendations from our own faculty and educators around the world for use in online instruction. We start with resources available from the University of Richmond, then from third-party providers.
We’ve organized these resources by instructional purpose and learning outcomes, and often include multiple tools for similar uses to address platform compatibility and level of comfort integrating learning technologies.
University of Richmond Resources
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School of Professional & Continuing Studies
- Online teaching crash course webinar slide deck
- Online teaching deep dive webinar slide deck
- Digital Storytelling resources curated by John Zinn
- Open Education Resources curated by John Zinn
- Hyflex and Blendflex approaches curated by John Zinn
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University of Richmond Faculty Hub
- Tips for assessing learning online
- Pedagogy and scholarship tools
- Signature pedagogies in liberal arts institutions (via ACS)
- UR Blogs: Request and create a UR blog on the Wordpress platform
- Remote Teaching at UR
- University of Richmond Libraries
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University of Richmond Technology Learning Center
Reserve technology through the TLC like VR, special printers and customized software
UR-Support Resources
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Blackboard
Using wikis in Blackboard: Video tutorial from Brandman University on creating and using wikis for a Blackboard course
Using blogs in Blackboard: Video tutorial from Brandman University on creating and using blogs for a Blackboard course
Create groups in Blackboard: Instructions from Blackboard Help
Creating and sustaining groups in Blackboard: Video tutorial from Northern Illinois University
Create rubrics in Blackboard and Creating rubrics in Blackboard II : Video tutorials for creating and editing assignment rubrics that are connected to the gradebook.
Using journals in Blackboard: Video tutorial from Brandman University for using the journal feature in Blackboard, which allows students to provide private written responses in your course that are tied to assignments and the gradebook
Self and peer assessment in Blackboard and Using Blackboard’s self and peer assessment tools: Video tutorials from Wichita State University and Learning Channel for setting up and using the self and peer assessments for assessing one’s own and other classmates’ work.
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Blogs
How to create a blog on WordPress - 2020: Video tutorial from WordPress on creating a blog. UR uses the WordPress platform.
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Panopto (provided with Blackboard)
Panopto Introduction: Video tutorial for basics of using Panopto
Narrated presentations with Panopto: Video tutorial focused on creating narrated presentations
Panopto editing basics: Video tutorial on using Panopto’s editing features
Adding auto-captions to Panopto videos: Video tutorial for using Panoto’s auto-caption feature
Advanced Panopto features: Video tutorial on Panopto’s advanced features
Adding quizzes to Panopto videos and Adding quizzes to Panopto videos II: Video tutorials for adding quizzes to presentation videos using the Panopto feature in Blackboard.
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PollEverywhere (provided with Blackboard)
can be used to create live quizzes or polls, embed them in your slides, and show live during your presentation. Includes a number of question types and options.
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Zoom
Zoom breakout rooms: Video tutorial from Flipped Classroom Tutorials on using breakout rooms
Zoom keyboard shortcuts: Article from Tech & Learning with tips for Zoom keyboard shortcuts
Zoom security: Video tutorial for making zoom meetings more secure
Zoom closed captioning: Tutorial for setting up closed captioning for Zoom sessions and recordings
Zoom audio transcript: Tutorial for setting up audio transcription for Zoom sessions and recordings
Assessment
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Assessment Design
Creating effective learning assessments: Short set of learning modules, videos and readings from LinkedIn Learning focuses on developing effective assessments.
Strategies for better assessments online: Interview article by Inside Higher Education with the author of Assessment Strategies for Online Learning provides concrete advice on assessing students online.
Student engagement through online assessment: eBook from Stanford University on developing online assessments.
Choice-based assessments for the Digital Age: Article by Stanford University faculty.
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Assessment Tools
GoFormative tutorial: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for GoFormative, an online formative assessment tool that provides real-time student assessment with reports for instructors.
Online formative assessment tools: Video tutorial from the University of Illinois introducing several formative assessment tools for use online, like Padlet, Poll Everywhere, Socrative, Plickers).
Google forms for assessments: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for using Google Forms to create and share assessments online and collect data on student performance.
Kahoot tutorial: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for Kahoot!, a quizzing and other formative assessment tool that helps gamify formative assessments.
Getting started with EdPuzzle: Video tutorial from Horry High School for EdPuzzle, a program that can be used to convert any video into a formative assessment by adding quiz questions.
Gamify your classroom with Quizziz: Video tutorial for Quizziz, an online quiz platform that adds a gaming aspect to Q&A quizzes and assign different questions to students or student groups.
How to play Quizlet Live: Video tutorial for Quizlet, an online quiz platform that turns questions into flash cards and interactive games. Quizlet Live puts students into teams to compete based on correct answers and timing of answers.
Badaboom online assessment: Online assessment app developed by the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong.
Gimkit tutorial 1 and Gimkit tutorial 2: Video tutorials for Gimkit, a gamified assessment and learning app where students earn virtual money to upgrade their characters and compete with quizzes and tasks.
Collaborative Learning
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Overview
Collaborative learning builds deeper understanding: Video overview from Edutopia providing explanation and rationale for using group collaboration to improve student outcomes. Includes practical examples from the College Preparatory School that are applicable to the college level.
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General Tools
Using Nearpod in the virtual classroom: Video tutorial from Nearpod for using the Nearpod platform to add interactivity between presentation slides such as quiz questions, polling, open-ended questions, writing, ranking choices and other features.
Online whiteboard tutorial: Video tutorial from Flipped Classroom Tutorials on using Whiteboard.fi, a free and secure virtual personal whiteboard app that provides students their own whiteboards for responding or drawing in real time
Voicethread for student collaboration: Video tutorial from Dr. Nellie Deutsch for using Voicethread, an app that allows you to create annotated and narrated slides and presentations around which students can collaborate. Ways VoiceThread is used in Higher Education.
Parlay walk-through: Video tutorial for using Parlay, an online discussion board that allows students to contribute to discussions and develop their own prompts and also includes a Socratic seminar.
Debategraph introduction: Video tutorial for using Debategraph, a debate visualization program allowing students to interactively map the key arguments and topics within a debate and use for writing argumentative essay. High-quality examples available in the Debategraph Gallery.
VideoAnt: Video annotation platform where web-hosted videos can be annotated by students and instructors
Jigsaw tutorial and Using the Jigsaw strategy online tutorial: Video tutorials for using The Jigsaw Strategy, a group collaboration and learning technique in use for decades that can be used online as well.
Notion.so: Online writing and organizing platform that gives you access to a variety of word processing, writing and editing graphic design, database creation and other tools all in the same place. Free for individual users.
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Backchanneling
Yo! Teach tutorial: Video tutorial from Richard Byrne setting up the Yo! Teach backchannel app that allows students to ask questions on a video lecture or online discussion
Using Backchanneling tools in the classroom: Video tutorial from Teacher Training Videos with some general ideas for using Yo! Teach and other backchannel apps
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Brainstorming
8 easy brainstorm apps for in a collaborative classroom: Video tutorial from BookWidgets about several brainstorming apps including iBrainstorm, Brainstormer, Popplet and Bookwidgets.
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FlipGrid
Using Flipgrid for remote teaching: Video tutorial from New EdTech Classroom for using Flipgrid, an online video response platform. Requires registration but can be set to a secure “grid.”
Using Flipgrid in the college classroom: Tutorial from SPCS for using Flipgrid
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Flowcharts & Mindmapping
Using GitMind mind map maker: Video tutorial from Teacher’s Tech for GitMind, a visually stimulating mind mapping and flow chart tool for organizing topics and subtopics or visually representing complex processes
Getting started with Cacoo: Video tutorial from Nulab for Cacoo, an online diagram and flowchart design tool that tracks changes and allows groups to annotate and communicate.
Creately tips and tricks: Video tutorial for Creately, an online diagram and flowchart maker with high quality templates and formats, focused on design thinking.
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Padlet
Using Padlet for collaboration: Video tutorial from an educator for using Padlet, an online corkboard/bulletin board where instructors can place topics, concepts or prompts and students can contribute.
Using Padlet in the college classroom: Video tutorial from SPCS for using Padlet
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Project Management
Using Trello for online collaboration: Video tutorial from Louie’s Tutorials for using Trello, an online collaboration tool for teams and groups. Enables instructors to monitor progress on group projects.
Microsoft Teams for student collaboration: Video tutorial from Microsoft Education on using Microsoft Teams for group projects with students
Using Slack for college students: Video tutorial from a professor at Sacred Heart University for using Slack, an online collaboration tool for organizing conversations and tasks into channels
- Social Media
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Wikis
Using Wikis for student collaboration: Video tutorial from the University of New South Wales (Australia)
Digital Literacy & Storytelling
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Audio & Podcasts
Podbean beginner podcast setup: Video tutorial for Podbean, a free podcasting platform where instructors can create podcasts as audio lectures and students can create podcasts as class projects or responses to prompts.
Creating Podcasts in Class: Webinar presentation from Listenwise with ideas for using podcasting in the classroom.
Easy podcasting for teachers and students with Synth: Video tutorial from Teacher’s Tech for Synth, a podcasting app that limits sound bytes to 256 seconds, forcing precision and concision public speaking and presentations.
Podcasting and education: Interview from Campus Technology of Rice University’s Jeff Frey on ways that podcasting can be used in colleges.
Podcasting your lectures: Article from Educause Review by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry on using podcasts for college lectures.
Audacity audio recording for teachers: Video tutorial for Audacity, a free audio recording program for any device. Particularly useful for adding audio files or narration to Google Slides.
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Books
Digital storytelling with Storybird: Video tutorial for Storybird, a storybook, picture book, comic book and animated story maker that comes with free templates and artwork to tell stories. Offers courses and challenges that instructors can assign to students.
Using Book Creator on iPad and Chrome: Video tutorials for Book Creator, a book maker app where students can create and publish their individually authored or collaborative books to an authentic audience.
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Graphics
Canva graphic design online: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for using Canva, a free graphic design and video creator program with a user-friendly interface that can be used for collaborative design projects like posters, newsletters, brochures and animated videos.
Piktochart infographics and posters: Video tutorial from Simply Novel for Piktochart, a free online graphic design program for infographics and posters that provides free templates and tools along with paid professional templates.
Easel.ly infographic design tips: Video tutorials from Easel.ly for using the online infographics program to visually communicate complex ideas.
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Interactive
ThingLink interactive images: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for ThingLink, a platform for turning images, videos and 360-degree media into annotated and interactive media. Use to create virtual, interactive field trips with photos, videos and links to text, websites or resources. Free account for teachers.
arcGIS StoryMaps: Video tutorial from Esri for arcGIS Storymaps, geographically arranged stories using GIS for creating place-based stories that link videos, text, images and websites to points on a map for creating virtual geographical journeys.
Using Digital Timelines with college students: Teaching guide from Vanderbilt University on using interactive and digital timelines with college students, with links to several platforms at the bottom of the article.
Digital Gallery Walks and Tips on Gallery Walks as teaching strategies: Guides from the University of Central Florida and Penn State University on using Digital Gallery Walks to organize digital presentations of student projects in an online virtual gallery.
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Presentations
How to use Powtoon: Video tutorial for Powtoon, a presentation animation platform for slideshows and videos that’s easy to use and engaging for students.
Pecha Kucha presentation strategy tips: Article from Duke University about Pecha Kucha, a simple presentation format that spends 20 seconds each on 20 image-based slides. The Pecha Kucha approach is used in professional settings, academic conferences and worldwide events called Pecha Kucha Nights.
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Storytelling
12 Ways to Improve Your Digital Storytelling: Blog post from Cision with concrete tips on making more powerful digital stories.
KnightLab Northwestern digital storytelling platforms: Knightlab at Northwestern University has several digital storytelling platforms for free educational use.
- Juxtapose is a tool to compare two similar images
- Scene is a virtual reality tool that turns 360 degree videos and images into VR stories
- Soundcite can add audio to text
- Storyline can be used to annotate and add context and interactivity to graphs, charts and other numerical representations
- Storymap JS is a story map program for creating spatial stories with Storymap JS video tutorial
- Timeline is an interactive timeline creator
Adobe Spark beginners tutorial: Video tutorial from Teachers Tech for Adobe Spark, a social storytelling tool for creating social graphics, web pages and short videos with professional graphics and text. Free starter plan with limited access to templates.
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Videos
Make videos interactive: Article from Free Technology for Teachers for using Vizia to create video quizzes with YouTube videos. Includes How to Create Video Quizzes on Vizia video tutorial.
Student vlogs in the classroom: Article from the University of Central Florida on using student videos in flipped classrooms.
iMovie Digital Story Basics: Video tutorial for iMovie, a free movie creator app for any Apple platform. With multiple iPads, students can collaboratively create videos. Also Step-by-step directions from Michigan State.
16 free online video editors and animation tools: Video overview of video and animation tools to spice up online presentations, including Animaker, Animatron Studio, Biteable, ChipClampCreate, Headliner, Kapwing, Loom, Offeo, Rocketium, Soapbox, Typito, Wave.Video and Wevideo. Covers limitations of free accounts and advertising, watermarks and security elements of each.
Easy screen recording with Screencastify: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for Screencastify, a free screencast program that captures your webcam and screen to record video lectures and presentations.
Screencast-O-Matic tutorial: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for Screencast-O-Matic, a free screencast program that captures your webcam and screen to record video lectures and presentations.
Loom screencast tool: Video tutorial from Technology for Teachers and Students for Loom, a free screencast program that captures your webcam and screen to record video lectures and presentations.
Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) beginners guide and OBS livestream guide: Video tutorials for using OBS Studio, open source software for video recording and live streaming.
Using Youtube Live to livestream a lesson: Video Tutorial for using Youtube Live for live streaming a lecture, discussion or guest speaker. Youtube Live has security settings to make your livestream private or public.
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Visual Thinking
Visual thinking in college courses: Article from Vanderbilt University on visual thinking in college courses, with links to several platforms and examples.
Engagement
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Campus Life
53 fun ideas to keep college students engaged with an institution remotely: Article from Presence on ways to keep college students engaged remotely in campus life.
Engaging college students through online social networks: Article from Triton College on using social networks online to build student connectivity.
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Online Classes
Engagement in online courses: Video from Thinkific on engaging students online.
Tips for improving student engagement online: Video from Brandman University on engaging students online.
Using online discussion boards: Video from Monash University (Australia) on using online discussion boards.
Conducting online discussions: Video from University of New South Wales (Australia) on using online discussions.
Engaging students online: Video from University of Iowa on engaging students online.
Actively engaging students in asynchronous online courses: Article from Oregon State University on engaging students through asynchronous online learning.
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Using Apps
Goosechase online scavenger hunts: Online platform where instructors can create gamified scavenger hunt ’missions’ with tasks for students. Goosechase tutorial video provides concrete examples for using Goosechase.
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Virtual Office Hours
6 ways to conduct virtual office hours: Blog post from McGraw Hill Higher Education provides 6 concrete ways to use virtual office hours to maintain student-teacher relationships and build rapport.
Using virtual office hours: Article from the University of Washington with tips for using virtual office hours.
Online Course Development
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General
Why high expectations are important in the classroom: Video from Teachings in Education that explains the importance of high expectations
The human element in online learning: Article from Inside Higher Ed on maintaining human connections with students via online learning.
Using the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) for inquiry-based project-based learning: Article from TeachThought on using QFT, a strategy for maintaining rigor in project based learning. Includes video examples.
Socratic Seminar guidelines: Article from Authentic Education on making Socratic seminars impactful for students.
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Accessibility
ADA compliance for online course design: Guide from Educause provides strategies for maintaining an accessible online course that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
20 tips to teaching accessible online courses: Article and video from the University of Washington on making online courses accessible to all students.
Resources for making distance learning accessible: Collection curated by students at the University of Washington linking resources and research on making online courses accessible to all students.
Tips for Universal Design: Guide by the University of Washington for using Universal Design strategies when planning an online course.
Microsoft Translator add-in for Powerpoint: For Windows OS only, Microsoft Translator is a free add-on for Powerpoint that will translate text to a large selection of languages.
iTranslate: Voice to text translation tool currently supporting 42 languages.
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Discussion & Metacognition
Tuning Protocols to improve online discussions: Guide from the University of Central Florida for implementing tuning protocols, guides and expectations provide structure to asynchronous online discussions.
Using social networking in college courses: Guide from the University of Central Florida.
Using GIST statements for summarizing: Guide from the University of Central Florida for using GIST Statements as strategies for summarization. Includes examples and rubrics.
Metacognitive learning and visualization: Guide from the University of Central Florida for encouraging metacognitive learning to increase learning and achievement in students of all ages. Includes examples and supporting research.
6 critical thinking skills for college students: Article from Rasmussen College on critical thinking skills.
Study on teaching critical thinking in public and private universities: Research study from the Foundation for Critical Thinking reports on the use of critical thinking skills in courses from 38 public and 28 private universities.
Using peer review of teaching: Guide from Vanderbilt University on effectively using peer review of teaching to improve teaching skills and gain new perspectives on choices in your courses.
Digital Posters for faculty and student introductions: Guide from the University of Central Florida provides tips on using digital posters as introductions at the beginning of a course to build a learning community and get to know students.
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Instructional Design
Creating course orientation modules: Guide from the University of Central Florida on implementing course orientation modules to give directions on how to navigate course website, platform, assignments and resources.
Breaking a course into modules, with examples: Guide from the University of Central Florida on implementing weekly modules to organize and streamline online classes.
Using Advance Organizers to preview course material: Guide from the University of Central Florida offers tips on using Advance Organizers to preview course materials prior to lectures or in-depth readings.
Flipping the college classroom: Guide from Vanderbilt University on flipped classes that shifts instructions (lectures/videos/audio/readings) online and reserves class time for discussion, debate, guided practice and hands-on support.
Instructional strategies for online courses: Guide from the University of Illinois, Springfield provides practical examples and links to classroom strategies, including using case studies, learning contracts and virtual symposiums.
Exemplary online instruction and quality teaching and learning rubric: Site and rubric from California State University Chico provides an Exemplary Online Instruction (EOI) rubric. Includes rubric, tips for using the rubric and additional resources.
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Role Play
Course-long role playing for Adult Learners: Guide from the University of Central Florida on implementing role playing to immerse students in course content. Includes an example and links to references.
Using role play for discussions: Guide from the University of Central Florida on using role play for online discussion, requiring students to take on and embody the perspectives of other actors and stakeholders to encourage critical thinking. Includes an example and links to references.
Role playing in the college classroom: Experiential research article from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville provides the “what, when and how” of using role playing in college classrooms.
Role playing in online learning: Article from Nova Southeastern University links practical examples to the research.
Tips on teaching using role playing with college students: Article from Carleton College provides tips, examples and challenges with using role playing in college courses.
Simulations & Labs
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General
Dissection Peer Support System (DPSS): Online dissection program for college science students developed by Hong Kong University.
ChemEye: Chemistry app for college students for smartphones developed by Hong Kong Baptist University.
CELL Game: Competitive game can support up to 200 users. Instructors load questions and group students so they combine knowledge from answering questions with strategic thinking to win the game. Developed by Polytechnic University of Hong Kong.
USTEM: Program for STEM university majors, developed by Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Virtual Human Organ App: Human anatomy simulation developed by Chinese University of Hong Kong for science students.
Fourier Transform App: Electrical and signal processing app provides simulations for physics, electrical engineering and linear systems.
Virtual labs and simulations for college students: Guide from Vanderbilt University to using virtual labs and simulations.
Books & Articles for Further Reading
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General
Small Teaching Online: Applying Learning Science in Online Classes, by Flower Darby and James. M. Lang (2019). Review on InsideHigherEd
The Spark of Learning: Energizing the College Classroom With the Science of Emotion, by Sarah Rose Cavanagh (2016). Review on Teaching in Higher Ed
Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning, by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark A. McDaniel (2014). Review on Cult of Pedagogy
What the Best College Teachers Do, by Ken Bain (2004). NPR Interview
Signature Pedagogies in Professional Schools
- Exploring Signature Pedagogies: Approaches to Teaching Disciplinary Habits of Mind, by Gurung, Chick and Hanie (2008/2011)
- Signature Pedagogies in the Professions, article by Shuman (2005)
- Signature Pedagogies, handout from Creighton University
Using Twitter in college courses: Article published in the Advances in Physiology Education journal provides pointers for using Twitter with college students
Ten steps to using Twitter in college courses: Article in HuffPost written by Rutgers faculty on ideas for using Twitter in a college course.
Instagram in the college classroom: Article by the editor of ProfWeb on using Instagram with college students with links to examples and videos