Online Teaching Resources

We have assembled a list of resources and services in support of online learning.

In the event that you cannot find the remote teaching help you need below, please email us at ssdtnt@uchicago.edu. We are here to help make the transition to remote teaching as seamless as possible.

All other computing questions should be directed to our desktop and server teams at sscstech@lists.uchicago.edu or (773) 702-0793.

Getting Started – Tools and Training

Attend one of the University-Wide Online Training Sessions.

Sign Up for SSD-specific Zoom & Remote Teaching Training Sessions.

Contact SSD’s Teaching & Technology Specialists: ssdtnt@uchicago.edu

Overview of the Three Primary Tools:

  1. Zoom – manages group online discussions and permits instructors and their TAs to manage the flow of conversation, respond to participant activity, and to present spontaneous information. Zoom is the tool for face-to-face teaching online.
  2. Canvas – familiar to many instructors in UC, Canvas provides tools for managing course materials and instruction.
  3. Panopto – provides simple, but sophisticated tools for producing, presenting and annotating video information.

 

Web Conferencing with Zoom

An overview and additional resources aimed at making Zoom work best for you.

Academic Technology Solutions

Additional services and teaching resources provided by ITS’ ATS team.

Taking Your Teaching Online

Teaching Remotely at the University of Chicago

The most current University resources for teaching remote and hybrid courses, from setup (including downloadable PDF checklist) to training offerings to course management.

Instructor Guide 2.0

A comprehensive guide from Teaching Remotely on remote and hybrid instruction, covering syllabus design, building a course space, strategies for adapting to remote or blended teaching, essential digital learning resources, and University of Chicago-specific troubleshooting resources. Last updated August 2021.

Remote Teaching Techniques by Preferred Teaching Method

Some best practices and practical suggestions for adapting your preferred face-to-face teaching methods to remote and hybrid use.

Remote Exams and Assessments (Rutgers)

This guide offers 10 alternative final assessments to maximize student success, as well as some suggestions for recreating traditional exams in an equitable, accessible online format.

Additional Resources and Discussion

Teaching Tools with Academic Technology Solutions

The definitive overview of digital teaching tools curated for instructors at the University of Chicago.

Moving Online Now

From the Chronicle of Higher Education: a how-to collection of advice and resources for transitioning quickly (and effectively) from in-person to remote teaching.

Active Learning Techniques for the Online Classroom

An in-depth look at adapting a broad portfolio of active learning techniques for remote instruction.

Virtual Event Planning, Production and Management

SSCS offers Virtual event management services for all instructors, admins, orgs, etc. associated with the Division.  We can assist with events using either Zoom’s Standard Platform (the on we’ve all been using for meetings and classes) or with the Zoom Webinar Platform. The webinar platform is ideal for large audiences or events that are open to the public. The typical webinar has a few panelists speaking to an audience with minimal interaction between panelists and audience (although Q&A windows and direct interaction are options to involve audience participation).  SSCS’s Zoom Webinar license allows up to 100 panelists and 3,000 attendees for a single event and SSCS can stream events to a secure YouTube site if your event may draw more than 3,000 attendees.  Additionally, for conferences with simultaneous panels, SSCS will work with ITS to secure additional Webinar licenses to run multiple Zoom sessions at the same time.

NB: SSCS requires five business days advance notice to guarantee we can staff and manage your event. Last minute requests will always be considered (we’re here to help) but we reserve the right to decline event management requests submitted with less than five business days’ notice.

In order to provide these services, we do require you to fill out the form that is linked to below as completely as possible. One of our Teaching and Technology Team members will reach out to you within one business day:

https://sscs.uchicago.edu/webinar-request/

For any additional questions on Virtual event planning, production or management, please email SSCS’ Teaching and Technology Team at: ssdtnt@uchicago.edu.

Research Support

Researchers wanting access for their teams to advanced analysis tools will find holistic assistance from our Research Support Group.  This group draws on an experienced, capable and dedicated staff to support large-scale computation and advanced data storage on a variety of platforms. The group also provides on-boarding support to new research initiatives, and can act as liaison matching research needs with available resources from on-campus partner organizations such as the Research Computing Center as well as other non-University resources.

 

Operations and Personal Computing Support

Faculty and Staff in the Social Sciences Division also receive support from our Operations Support Team for desktop applications and hardware. This group aids in the setup of new computers, printers, and mobile devices as well as general consulting about other personal computing needs.