Provides basic and practical directions, tips, and other insights for teaching in Higher Education. The series is produced primarily for Canisius University faculty, but also may help professors or instructors elsewhere. 

We try to have at least one new episode each month.  You can also find and subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

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Music Credit: Gunnar Olsen (via YouTube)

Episode 1: Communicating with Students

Basic considerations and tips for communicating instructions, and updates to your students. Develop consistent procedures that simplify the learning process and focus energy on course substance.

Related Links and Resources

The Basics: Adding Modules, Uploading Files, and Rearranging Modules and Topics - Transcript

Building and Editing Web Pages in D2L's Content Area - Transcript

Embedding Google Docs in D2L (Close Captioned)

Topic and Module Descriptions - Transcript

Try using Video!

Record Webcam Videos to Communicate with Students - Transcript

COLI Screencasting Resource

Some Good Reading

Major, Claire. Teaching Online: A Guide to Theory, Research, and Practice. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015. Link.

Nilson, Linda B.  Teaching at its Best: A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors. San Francisco: Josey-Bass, 2016.  Link.

Episode 2: The Syllabus

A good syllabus is the cornerstone of a great course.  

Related Links and Resources

Canisius University Griff Center for Academic Engagement

Accessibility Support Office at Canisius University

Tutoring Services at Canisius University

Writing Center at Canisius University

Get a quick list of calendar dates for your course outline using Caleb McDaniel's brilliant "Syllabus Maker."

Episode 3: Practical Course Design

Consider some basic course design principles.

Relevant Links and Resources

A Quick Guide to Basic Course Design

Module 1 and Module 2 of the COLI Guide to Teaching Online has some basics for course design.

Some basic guidelines for determining appropriate student effort in a three-credit course, from the New York State Department of Education.

Organizing your course within D2L begins with understanding modules and topics in the Content area.  Here's the tutorial for that.

More D2L Tutorials for faculty at Canisius University.

Some Good Reading

Nilson, Linda B.  Teaching at its Best: A Research-Based Resource for College Instructors. San Francisco: Josey-Bass, 2016.  Link.

Episode 4: Asynchronous Discussions Part 1

Part 1 of a two-part look at Asynchronous Discussions, a useful style of communication most commonly associated with online or hybrid courses, but also useful in face-to-face classes.

Relevant Links and Resources

COLI Guide to Teaching Online Module 4: Communication & Creation.

Here's some helpful documentation for asynchronous discussion instructions for students.  You may adopt or adapt these to your classes.  

Our D2L Self-Paced Training for Faculty has a video series that shows how to organize, manage, and optimize your asynchronous discussions within D2L.

Some Good Reading

Leiberman, Mark.  "Discussion Boards: Valuable? Overused? Discuss."  insidehighered.com.  March 27th, 2019.  

Major, Claire. Teaching Online: A Guide to Theory, Research, and Practice. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015. Link.

Peery, Tammy Stuart and Samantha Streamer Veneruso.  "Balancing Act: Managing Instructor Presence and Workload When Creating an Interactive Community of Learners."  March 15th, 2012.

Episode 5: Asynchronous Discussions Part 2

Part 2 of a two-part look at Asynchronous Discussions.

Relevant Links and Resources

COLI Guide to Teaching Online Module 4: Communication & Creation.

Here's some helpful documentation for asynchronous discussion instructions for students.  You may adopt or adapt these to your classes.  

Community Standards and Polices at Canisius University.

Some Good Reading