Teaching with Technology

Educational & Emergent Technology

At the Office of Teaching and Learning, we support instructors in using technology intentionally and effectively, aligning tools with pedagogical goals to strengthen course design, communication, assessment, and student success. Whether you are exploring Canvas and learning management systems, incorporating multimedia and collaboration tools, or navigating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, our resources and consultations are designed to help you make informed, impactful choices.

This page covers:

Find the Right Technology

I want to...

  • Make text-based content available to my students

    Canvas is the 91Ƶ’s Learning Management System. Consult theor schedule a consultation with the OTL stafffor additional resources.

    Physical Reserves – Physical books and videos are available at the Main Library Lending Desk for a limited loan period.

    Electronic Reserves – Articles, book chapters, syllabi, and other electronic documents made available in ARES through Canvasfor your course(s).

  • Make media (videos, images, and audio) available to my students

    Kaltura is our newest media management system that is available in Canvas. Kaltura can manage large amounts of digital media (video, images and audio) files.

  • Record my computer based presentation or tutorial
    or

    Kaltura & ZOOM both allow DU faculty, staff and students to create screencasts: video recording of the computer screen, audio voice over and an optional camera view of the presenter. Once recorded and uploaded, a sharable weblink is automatically produced and available for the video to be viewed online.

  • Hold a live session online (office hours, guest speaker, virtual classes)

    Use for live webinars, virtual classes, on-demand presentations, group collaboration, and multiuser text chat.

  • Gather feedback from my students during class time

    Top Hat is a comprehensive active learning platform that allows instructors to engage students for remote or in-class instruction in synchronous and asynchronous formats. The platform provides the ability for instructors to incorporate interactive content, create interactive slides, graded questions, videos, discussions, polls, and more.

  • Allow students to post videos of themselves (giving a presentation, playing music, performing)

    Flipgrid is a video discussion platform to help faculty and students engage in dynamic conversations about course content. The platform promotes social learning through the translation of text discussions to video-based discussions. And the tool easily integrates with Canvas!

    or

    Kaltura and ZOOM both offer video recording, storage and delivery options for students. If you have an specific questions, please contact us kaltura@du.edu

  • Hold an asynchronous (not live) discussion with my students

    Asynchronous discussions may be used to facilitate and promote critical thinking. The Canvas discussion board allows both students and instructors to start and contribute to discussion topics.

  • Create a space for student groups to collaborate on a project

    Groups function like smaller versions of your course and provide students with a collaborative workspace to share files, collaborate on activities, and prepare group assignments.

    Digication

    Digication is a web-based application that individuals and groups at DU can use to create ePortfolios.

  • Create a space for students to write essays, journals, or upload files

    Assignments provide opportunities for students to demonstrate comprehension of course material.

    Instructor feedback on assignments submitted in Canvas is provided to students using SpeedGrader, an inline-grading tool that eliminates the need to download and export files to a word processor. Grades entered in SpeedGrader are automatically sent to the Gradebook allowing students to see their scores, reviewer comments, and feedback.

  • Have my students display their work (text, documents, pictures, video, or other multimedia) on a DU website

    Digication is a web-based application that provides electronic portfolios for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

  • Allow students to collaborate on a digital bulliten/white board

    Padlet is a digital bulletin board that is collaborative and interactive where you can create a single or multiple “walls” for various posts. Collaborators can simultaneously generate and organize posts of any content type, whether text, documents, images, videos, audio, or links. Students can see all the postings and comment or vote on them if the board owner allows.

  • Allow students to annotate a digital reading in canvas

    Padlet is a digital bulletin board that is collaborative and interactive where you can create a single or multiple “walls” for various posts. Collaborators can simultaneously generate and organize posts of any content type, whether text, documents, images, videos, audio, or links. Students can see all the postings and comment or vote on them if the board owner allows.

Commonly Used Technologies

Canvas

Canvas is the 91Ƶ’s Learning Management System (LMS), providing a secure environment for online, face-to-face, and hybrid courses. Canvas is managed according to theLearning Management System Guidelines. For additional guidance on Canvas usage, please visit our .

  • Logging into Canvas

    Login to Canvas with your DU credentials at:

    Canvas Support Hotline (Faculty): call 1+(833) 291-3240

    Canvas Support Hotline (Students): call 1+(855) 712-9770

    DU – Office of Teaching and Learning: otl@du.edu

  • Tips for first-time Canvas users

    For best results using Canvas, make sure your computer meets the and use a supported browser. If you’re just getting started, you may want to and.

  • Setting up your Canvas course

    To set up your Canvas course, you can start from scratch, import a template, or copy content from a previous course.

    If you are going to start from scratch, we encourage you to read about best practices for an online course and use the to build modules more efficiently.

    To import the OTL Canvas template, You can also preview the template in the Canvas Commons before importing. Once you import the template in your course, check-out the facilitators resources module to learn more about using the template.

    To , follow the step-by-step instructions in this Canvas Community Guide. You can as needed for the upcoming quarter.

  • Are you teaching more than one section

    You canso all students are together in one Canvas course.

  • Minimum requirements for all Canvas courses

    To begin, instructors should populate thein their Canvas course. Try using Cidi Labs Design Tools to enhance the organization, navigability and accessibility of your Syllabus page. We also encourage you to consider including Covid-19 related accommodations and policies. Check out our Sample Syllabus Statement page for more.

    are another important element in any Canvas course. Any assignments created in the Assignments tool will automatically show up in Grades, Calendar, and the Syllabus Course Summary. All courses are required to have a place for students to submit assignments online. Assignments can be weighted by creating.

    are another component of course organization that can be set up weekly or thematically depending on your course structure. Modules should include relevant pages, assignments and links to course content. You are required to host content in Canvas which could include handouts, readings and other instructional materials. Link these materials to the appropriate weekly module for easy access.

    If your course is meeting synchronously, be sure to set up your recurring Zoom sessions in your Canvas course.

    For more information on the minimum requirements for a Canvas course, download our Course Checklist.

    DON’T FORGET TO PUBLISH!

    Once you get your course set up, you’ll want to make sure youso students can access it.

  • Learn about all the Canvas tools

    Don’t stop there! Browse theto get familiar with all the tools available in Canvas, and then start using the ones that make sense for your course.

    Once you have decided which tools you’ll be using in your course, it’s best toso students only have access to what they need.

  • Need additional Canvas support?
    • Theis an incredible resource for answering questions.
    • .
    • Canvas Support Hotline (Faculty): call 1+(833) 291-3240
    • Canvas Support Hotline (Students): call 1+(855) 712-9770
    • If you need assistance with something in Canvas that’s specific to your department, contact your unit’s Canvas Administrator.
    • For Canvas training, check-out our upcoming sessions of Canvas Coaching or Canvas Office Hours on the .
    • Ourinclude more FAQs, tech support, and information on external tools.
    • Canvas courses receive updated student and faculty enrollments from our Ellucian®Banner Student Information System every 2 hours from 7am to 11pm daily.
    • Access for student facing resources.
    • For any additional questions, please contact The Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) at:otl@du.edu


Kaltura

Kaltura is our campus-wide video management system that is integrated with Canvas. For additional guidance on Kaltura usage, please visit our .

Student Response Systems (Clickers and TopHat)

Using Student Response Systems is an effective wayto create an interactive learning environmentthat:

  • Bridgesaccessibilitygaps
  • Engages studentsby promoting classroom participation
  • Creates dynamicdistance learningenvironments

DU has two Student Response System options which both have the option of integrating into the Canvas LMS: TurningPoint Clickers and TopHat.

  • TurningPoint Clickers
    What are TurningPoint Clickers?

    Clickers areresponse cardsthat are used to vote on questions projected in the classrooms.Clickers use radio frequency technology to transmit and record student responses to questions and instructors use them to help keep their students engaged in what’s going on in class.

    How Does it Work?

    TurningPoint is a hybrid hardware- and software-based student response system. Responses are collected using a small wireless USB receiver that plugs into the computer in the classroom and are displayed in a histogram when voting has finished. At the instructor’s discretion, students may use their mobile phones, tablets or laptop browsers in lieu of the hardware-based clicker.

    Setup and Fees

    Clickersrequire that software is installed on the computerthat is being used to present in the classroom. Instructors must to download the software. DU is using Turningpoint Version 8.

    Students must purchase clickers from the DU Bookstore and instructors should include orders for clickers in their book orders. The clicker is the property of the student and comes with a 12-month software license. The OTL may have clickers available for instructors teaching small classes (less than 40) to check out. Fill out the to find out if they are available for reservation.

    Instructors can automatically load student’s clicker scores into Canvas. Please see our for specific instructions to set up this integration.

  • Top Hat
    What is Top Hat?

    This web-based software helps educators take attendance, administer polls, games and quizzes, and share lecture notes—all by connecting to students’ mobile devices or laptops (think clickers, except bring-your-own-device).

    How does it work?

    Top Hat can be used through any mobile device by texting, any smart device through their app or through a web browser. Students will have to log into Top Hat on their devices.

    Why use Top Hat over traditional clickers?

    With Top Hat, the student is already carrying their mobile device or laptop to class and uses the technology already built into their web-enabled devices to record their answers. Top Hat also allows for more types of questions to be asked, such as image based, hot spot mapping, formula and short answer questions within the classroom rather than just multiple choice questions. Answers can be tied to the Top Hat gradebook or can be collected anonymously.

    Won’t students be distracted with their phones or attempt to cheat?

    Top Hat has anti-cheating measures in place to ensure the integrated of the classroom. If a student leaves the Top Hat browser or app, they will be lock-out of answer the question. Top Hat is only using the updated technology, that students already carry around with them daily, to allow for a faster, more convenient, quizzing experience.

    Below are links to some of TopHat’s Guides.

  • Setup and Fees

    Instructors can automatically load student’s clicker scores into Canvas. Please see our for specific instructions to set up this integration.

    TopHatrequires each student to purchase a license from Top Hatto use their computer or mobile phone. The app can be purchased for 4 months at $25, 12 months at $36, or $72 for your student career.

    There is no charge for a professor to use TopHat in their course.

  • How should I use a student response system?

    It is no secret that students will be more engaged and involved when they are asked meaningful questions. Meaningful questions require students to think critically and allow instructors to address student needs.

    • For additional information on asking meaningful questions, please see the .
    • Additionally, there are several learning theories supported by the use of clickers including Active Learning and Assessment for Learning. For more information, please see .
  • How can I get started?

    Both TurningPoint and TopHat provide 1:1 training for these devices.

Zoom

is a cloud-based video communications service that offers the ability to create high-quality online meetings, classes, and events that leverages Instant Messaging, video conferencing, breakout rooms, screen-sharing, and whiteboards.

  • Login to Zoom

    DU:
    Canvas: -> Your Course ->ZOOM

  • Why might I use Zoom as an instructor?
    • Faculty can hold virtual office hours and invite remote guests into the classroom for a presentation.
    • . This is the recommend method for accessing ZOOM class meeting.
    • Class meetings can be recorded to allow students the opportunity to review your lecture.
    • Students can meet online to chat and work on a group project.
    • ZOOM has several interactive features (chat, poll questions, annotation drawing tools, breakout rooms) to get students engaged.
    • Students can also create and host their own meetings for group projects.
    • ZOOM can provide accessibility features (closed captions and transcript) to improve accessibility.
  • Popular Zoom articles and videos
  • Training and support resources
    • Zoom 24 Hour Support: call (888) 799-9666 option 2

    Still have questions? forInformation Technology to assist with Zoom.

  • Support Videos

Need more information?

Please direct all general inquiries about teaching, learning, technology or assessment to:otl@du.eduor call us at 303-871-2084.

If you have specific questions regarding the following technologies or if you would like more immediate assistance, please contact:

Canvas LMS Support: 24-hour Phone Hotline:(833) 291-3240

Zoom Videoconferencing Support: 24-hour Phone Hotline: (888) 799-9666

ePortfolio Questions: otl@du.edu

Kaltura Questions: kaltura@du.edu

Having trouble logging into DU applications such as Canvas? Contact the IT Help Desk at 303-871-4700 to reset your DU passcode.