Best Practices for Distance Learning_Instructor Tips NTLC

Teaching students new (or somewhat new) to distance learning:

Learn about student needs and preferences for distance learning strategies by surveying them. Accommodate their needs or requests when possible. This will help students feel that you are taking their personal situations into consideration. Be aware that students may have unequal access to technology, hardware, and software. Encourage students to work with UW-Stout’s HelpDesk staff so that they have the tools to successfully achieve course learning outcomes. Record lectures and virtual meetings so they can be downloaded and viewed by students later. Provide approved accommodations for students who present accommodations documentation from Disability Services. Contact Disability Services , Stout Online Instructional Design , or Learning Technology Services about producing accessible course content. For all recordings (lectures, videos, movies, etc.), make sure that your visual content can be clearly translated by a screen-reader. PDFs are generally more accessible for students who use screen-readers. Simplify materials for accessibility. Make sure that recorded lectures and videos have captions and/or transcripts and provide materials in simplified text format.

Ensure all files, images, videos, and other posted content are accessible and mobile-friendly by working with UW-Stout’s technology and disabilities staff.

Post a syllabus that complies with the UW-Stout Faculty Senate Approved Syllabus Policy. Click here to see the Curriculum Handbook statement and house it in several locations. Indicate when office hours are and how students can access them online.

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