UAH provides an array of technology tools that give faculty the flexibility to deliver in any modality. These tools can also be used to host office hours and regularly scheduled meetings. While the methods listed below are helpful, the overarching principles for maintaining continuity of instruction for our students are cooperation, flexibility, and communication.

All courses have an associated site in Canvas, UAH’s learning management system (LMS). Even if you don’t use Canvas regularly, it can help you in the event of class cancellations, simply by providing a secure, easily-accessible place for your students to access materials and communicate with each other.

Below you'll find information about the tools available for UAH faculty. Review ETLC's online trainings or contact the Help Desk (helpdesk@uah.edu; 256-824-3333) if you want to receive instruction on any of these tools.

Quick Links

COMMUNICATION METHODS

Canvas

Canvas is the easiest way to stay in touch with your students and update them on how you will manage your course. There are a variety of communication tools within the system. If you don't see these tools on your course navigation, you can enable them in course Settings.

  • Announcements allow you to post course messages that broadcast to all users in that course. Announcements appear at the top of the course page when a user visits the course. Instructions for posting an announcement can be found here.
  • Inbox is a messaging system built into Canvas which allows you to communicate with other Canvas users, similar to an email system. Instructions for using the Inbox in Canvas can be found here.
  • Discussions feature allows for asynchronous, threaded course communications, much like an internet message board. Instructions for starting a discussion in your course can be found here.

Google

In the event that Canvas is not available, Google has several helpful communication tools:

  • Your UAH Gmail account may be used to communicate and share content with students in the event that you are unable to do so via Canvas.
  • Google Chat allows you to interact with students in chat, voice only, or video formats. You can also share files through the messaging platform. For this resource, you do have to invite each participant individually.

Zoom

Zoom is UAH's webconferencing tool and it can be used within or separate from Canvas. When used within a course, the entire course roster is automatically invited to the Zoom meeting. When used separately from the LMS, invitations must be extended to class members via calendar invite or email.

COURSE CONTENT

Canvas

Google

  • Your UAH Google account may be used to communicate and share content with students in the event that you are unable to do so via Canvas. Google Drive provides cloud storage and content can be shared with other users easily.

TEACHING

UAH supports technologies that can help you enhance online course environments. When determining how to decide which tool to use the first question to ask yourself is, "What am I trying to accomplish?" To help you choose the correct tool for your needs, we’ve provided a side-by-side comparison of Panopto and Zoom. Both tools can be easily accessed from your Canvas course.

Zoom 

  • Best use: office hours, web conferences or synchronous class meetings, presentations requiring multiple hosts, and screen sharing.
  • Commonly used for: hybrid courses; small group meetings; remote guest speakers for your class or meeting; instructor office hours.
  • Learn more: Faculty and student training courses are available for Zoom.
  • Leverage settings to maximize the security of your Zoom meetings.

Panopto

  • Best use: Recording lectures for asynchronous classes. You can record audio, webcam, PowerPoint slides, and your computer screen. The recording will automatically be uploaded to your Canvas course. As viewers, students can take notes, place bookmarks, and comment on your recording. 
  • Commonly used for: Presentations that include Powerpoint slides or other desktop applications.
  • Learn more: Faculty and student training courses are available for Panopto.
I want to...
Zoom
Panopto
Interact with my class during a lecture x  
Record a Lecture that students can access at any time   x
Use a whiteboard to draw out concepts (e.g. math problems) x x
Save my lectures for future use