This course focuses on effective practices in online course design. It is a great opportunity to prepare for your online classes, connect with other faculty, and satisfy the one-unit requirement for teaching online/hybrid per Article 51 of the union contract.
Winter Session: January 4-23, 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
The WVC Online Academy is a three-week asynchronous online course, and there are no required specific days/times that the class meets.
The course will be conducted on the WVC Canvas platform. The course takes a hands-on, learning-by-doing approach, where faculty participants engage in building two course modules (an orientation module and a one content module) using the WVC Canvas Course template and the WVC Accessible Syllabus template. You will utilize Canvas tools, videos, and apps to promote student engagement and student learning, and you will be well on your way to building a course that aligns with the high standards of the CVC-OEI Course Design Rubric.
Depending on your skill and knowledge of Canvas, online practices and pedagogy, and tech tools, the course can take anywhere from 30-40 hours (or about 10 – 13 hours each week) to review all reading and video materials, and complete graded assignments and quizzes.
No, the course involves assignments with due dates in order to keep your learning on track. Your facilitators, Janis Kea and Whitney Clay, will be active in their facilitation and available to support you throughout the course.
No letter grades will be given, and only a pass/no pass will be used. Successful completion requires that all assignments and quizzes be completed, and a minimum of 80% of all possible points for the course.
Yes, those who successfully complete the course will be provided with a certificate of completion.
The language in Article 51 from the AFT contract indicates that the course can be used for PG&D credit, but this needs to be confirmed with the PG&D District Committee.
Zoom Trainings and Resources
The following videos and documents are designed to help students and teachers get up and running with Zoom.
- Zoom 101: Sign Up & Download (2 minute video)
- Zoom 101: In Meeting Controls – Basic (10 minute video)
- Zoom Live Training Webinars
- Comprehensive Guide to Educating Through Zoom (PDF)
- Tips and Tricks for Teachers Educating on Zoom (PDF)
How to Present a Remote Whiteboard Lecture
Using the Distance Education (DE) Observation Form Presentation
Having issues viewing in the browser? Open with PowerPoint Online
Proctorio
To support you and your students with the use of Proctorio, the WVC Online team has created a module you can import into your course. It contains getting started guides for faculty and students and a practice test you can give to your students so they can get familiar with Proctorio before using it with an official quiz.
Proctorio Information and Practice Test
Student Equity and Access Issues with Proctorio
Proctorio has limitations that can present serious problems for students:
- Students cannot take an exam on a phone or tablet. They must use a desktop or laptop. (Chromebooks are OK.)
- Students need their computer to have a web cam and microphone.
- Students must use the Chrome browser.
- Student must install the Proctorio Chrome browser extension.
Faculty need to be prepared to accommodate any student who does not have the proper setup for using Proctorio – this may mean creating an extra copy of your exam in Canvas just for that student.