Belmont University

Online Teaching Resources

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Belmont University is committed to providing rigorous and engaging educational experience as well as maintaining our reputation of being engaging and supporting our students.  This web page has been created for all faculty, to provide resources and suggestions for your use.  It includes resources from the literature, academic web sites, Belmont services, and from experienced Belmont faculty.  Please communicate with your Chair or Dean to identify additional needs you may have.

What content and course elements are important to Consider for synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning?

When teaching in an asynchronous environment, having a well-developed plan for the course, and creating a complete and detailed syllabus can be very beneficial. Students who are not present rely on written instruction and guidelines to navigate the course. Syllabi should be updated to include clarity on policy, clear statements regarding grading, and ways to communicate during the course.

  • Access Blackboard Training through MyBelmont.
  • Watch this webinar on Build It.
  • How can I incorporate ZOOM and use it within Blackboard – including white boards, groups, etc?  You can access that at the Belmont Instructional Technology web site.
  • Panopto is a method of creating, editing and embedding video in Blackboard.  Jamie Adam has some examples of using Panopto.
  • If I need to search for books, journals, movies or other holdings in the Belmont library, how do I do that?  Instructions for linking to online library resources are located at the Lila D. Bunch library web site.
  • iPads can be used as a classroom camera and mic used on the podium or on the move, and a portable “whiteboard” for demonstrations.
  • Is there a video by someone at Belmont who can show me how to build my course using these tools? Yes, a video by Ginny Lamothe is available.
  • To learn more about using Wacom, go to the Wacom web site.
  • Christian Williams uses GroupMe to keep her classes connected.
  • Ginny Lamothe uses Screencast-O-Matic to work with her classes. To learn more about these tools, visit Screencastify or Screencast-O-Matic.
  • Nathan Adam has created a video showing how to use GoogleDocs.
  • The Assignments Best Practice Video can be viewed here.

What techniques and practices are important to use for engagement with students?

Experienced faculty tell us that students respond well to various ways of engaging. Using social media, crowdsourcing, student to student interactions, and virtual advising will build trust and provide a viable substitute for personal engagement. Resources listed here will provide you with tools you can use to engage with each other.

What should I keep in mind as I design a synchronous/asynchronous class?

During the pandemic, our desire is to provide synchronous educational experiences. Preparing course material that can be adjusted is paramount. Faculty should plan to teach with students in the room and online. Faculty are encouraged to teach both audiences and to include all individuals in discussions, group work, assessment and off-line dialog.

How do I effectively and efficiently assess student learning and ability to utilize what they have learned?

Assessment includes getting student feedback, testing, and measurement of students’ ability to utilize what they have learned. Use of open book or open note testing that is timed can be an effective method of assessment, and can be more effective method of educating.

  • Grading assignments can be a more efficient process using GradeMe which shows the teacher all of the quizzes or responses such that they can be graded altogether or using Gradescope which provides options to view the class as a whole. This video presented by Andy Miller demonstrates how he uses Gradescope.

While teaching students in person as well as online, what techniques can I use to assure good communication with and among my students?

Clear and frequent communication between faculty and students is essential to providing quality asynchronous education. Synchronous communication, Q&A, group projects, quizzes, check-ins all help students continue to be engaged and help them feel a part of the course experience.

How do I maintain my personal interaction with my students?

Belmont is known for its engaging and genuine support of students. Research documents the fact that students crave personal attention and that they respond well to varied and engaging methods of contact. Achieving this in our current situation will require additional effort and maybe some techniques not practiced as much in the past.

  • Faculty at Belmont have found the tools Remind and Zoomflex useful in keeping students connected. 
  • When using social media and encouraging interaction, you may want to remind students of various etiquette to use. See Shea, V. (2011). The core rules of netiquette. 

Are there ways to improve and enrich discussion among students when teaching students synchronously and asynchronously?

Studies show that students often are more willing to engage in discussion and group work in an asynchronous environment than in a live classroom. Faculty should embrace this opportunity. Utilizing flipped classrooms, preserving class time for interaction, and keeping students engaged with continuous assessments is desired. Various tools are available to engage students in group discussions, doing group work, and presenting among the students. Consider the following tools for use.

  • Flipgrid is a video capture software for multiple device types that is used for groups.
  • Screencastify is used to create, edit and share video for students.
  • Loom can be used to record your camera, microphone, and desktop simultaneously and share quick feedback or demos instantly.
  • Slack offers communication tools to help keep students engaged and connected.
  • View the video by Dean Jhennifer Amundson about small group assignments for collaborative learning.

If I need to seek further advice, where can I go?

We all seek advice when we venture into new ways of doing things. Professionals on our campus are available to help you. Here, a listing of their contact information is provided for your convenience. In future updates of the web site there will be additional resources. If you have suggestions to improve the content of the website, communicate it to your Chair or Dean.

Lila D. Bunch Library

Teaching Center

Learning Centers

Instructional Technology

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