Teaching Online

This page includes a quick reference of information that may be helpful for designing, developing, and facilitating online. Please connect with your assigned CTET program liaison for specific course needs. If you are unsure of who to contact or need immediate assistance, please contact CTET Studio.

Workshops

The table below lists our upcoming workshops designed to support faculty and staff in the design, development, and facilitation of online learning. All workshops are delivered fully online and are available free to RRU faculty and staff. 
Contact us for the discount code.

Workshop descriptionUpcoming offerings
Teaching with Collaborate Ultra (Online): Focused on developing skills for teaching interactively online using Collaborate Ultra. This workshop is delivered synchronously online in two 90-minute sessions.
  • January 21 & 28, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • March 11 & 18, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • May 20 & 27, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • August 26 & September 2, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • October 21 & 28, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
Intercultural Foundations for Education (IFE): Focused on developing intercultural teaching and learning competencies. This workshop is delivered online over 4 weeks.
  • November 1 - 28, 2021 (register via PCS)
Moodle: Getting Around (Online): Focused on the basics of navigating around a Moodle course for new users. This workshop is delivered online over 2 hours.
  • February 2, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • May 6, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • August 5, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • November 18, 2021, 10:00am - 12:00pm PST (register via PCS)
Moodle: Editing & Enhancing Online: Focused on learning how to build and edit a Moodle course for users with basic Moodle navigational skills. Learn how to add and edit Moodle activities and resources. This workshop is delivered online over 3 weeks. 
  • January 11 - January 31, 2021, (register via PCS)
  • April 19 - May 9, 2021, (register via PCS)
  • September 13 - October 3, 2021, (register via PCS)
  • November 22 - December 11, 2021, (register via PCS)
Getting Started with Collaborate Ultra (Online): Focused on learning how to use Collaborate Ultra and developing technical proficiency using Collaborate Ultra tools and moderator controls. This 90-minute workshop is delivered synchronously online.
  • January 14, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • February 25, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • May 13, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • August 12, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • October 14, 2021, 1:30-3:00pm PST (register via PCS)
The Pedagogical Values Series: An ongoing series of short sessions exploring the pedagogical values that form the foundation of the RRU Learning, Teaching, and Research Model (LTRM), namely: applied and authentic, caring and community-based, and transformational.
  • January 28, 2021, 10:30am - 11:30am PST (register via PCS)
  • April 13, 2021, 10:30am - 11:30am PST (register via PCS)
  • September 28, 2021, 10:30am - 11:30am PST (register via PCS)
Grading in Moodle (Online): Designed to support instructors and program staff to develop proficiency in grading in Moodle. Learn best practices and different ways of grading assignments and grade items in Moodle. This course is delivered online over 3 weeks. 
  • March 8 - 28, 2021 (register via PCS)
  • July 12 - August 1, 2021 (register via PCS)
  • October 4 - 24, 2021 (register via PCS)
Moodle: Editing & Enhancing: Focused on learning how to build and edit a Moodle course for users with basic Moodle navigational skills. Learn how to add and edit Moodle activities and resources. This workshop is delivered on campus over 3 hours.
  • May 6, 2021, 1:00pm - 4:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • August 5, 2021, 1:00pm - 4:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • November 18, 2021, 1:00pm - 4:00pm PST (register via PCS)
The Instructional Skills Workshop (ISW): Focused on developing and reinvigorating teaching skills for face-to-face learning. This workshop is a face-to-face workshop delivered on campus over 3 days.
  • June 9 - 11, 2021 (register via PCS)
  • August 18 - 20, 2021 (register via PCS)
  • December 1 - 3, 2021 (register via PCS)
Grading in Moodle: Designed to support instructors and program staff to develop proficiency in grading in Moodle. This workshop is delivered on campus over 3 hours.
  • June 23, 2021, 1:00pm - 4:00pm PST (register via PCS)
  • October 6, 2021, 1:00pm - 4:00pm PST (register via PCS)

WordPress: Getting Started: An introductory workshop that offers hands on practice in editing content and managing media, to help get you started in developing your site. This workshop is delivered on campus over 2 hours.

  • July 21, 2021, 1:00pm - 3:00pm PST (register via PCS)

Self-study resources

The following self-study resources are available on our Open Education Resources (OER) instance of Moodle and are freely available for all to access:

1-1 & small group training

In addition to our workshops and self-study resources, CTET can also offer 1-1 and small group sessions on a by-appointment basis. These can be done fully online if required. To request a by-appointment session, please contact us.

Virtual classes & meetings

There are two web conferencing platforms supported at Royal Roads University, Collaborate Ultra and BlueJeans. Both can be used for online meetings. For a detailed comparison of Collaborate Ultra vs. BlueJeans, please see this Crossroads article.

Collaborate Ultra (CU)

Collaborate Ultra is the recommended tool for all teaching and learning activities because it is optimized for teaching and learning, integrated with Moodle, and fully supported by CTET. The following resources may be helpful for instructors and staff using Collaborate to support online learning:

Collaborate Ultra rooms can also be created outside of Moodle. If you would like a Collaborate room for meetings, please contact CTET Studio.

BlueJeans

BlueJeans is managed by Media Support Services (MSS) and can be used for meetings. For online teaching, Collaborate Ultra is recommended.

Other tools for creating engaging learning

MyMedia

MyMedia is a Moodle-integrated tool that allows users to create, manage, and share webcam recordings, audio recordings, narrated presentations (voice-over-PowerPoint), screen recordings, and video quizzes. Users can also save and share YouTube videos. Watch a short video about MyMedia.

Padlet

Padlet is a tool that provides a space to gather and share ideas and can be used for brainstorming, discussions, collaboration, and more. Users can add text, images, videos, and other media. Padlet can be integrated into Moodle.

Moodle to the Max

Moodle to the Max (login required) is a Moodle page highlighting different ways to use Moodle's in-built tools to creating engaging learning experiences. 

DIY educational technologies

In addition to CTET-supported tools, there are a number of do-it-yourself (DIY) tools that can be used to create engaging learning experiences. In most cases, these tools are easy-to-use and freely available online. Note that in some cases, sign-up may be required. Explore an interactive list, researched and curated by our team: Other DIY educational technologies (interactive page on CTET website)

Supporting student well-being

Learning is a socially constructed experience. Online learners can sometimes feel isolated, especially during times of social distancing. By supporting student well-being, we support their learning. Consider the following strategies for supporting your students:

Community 

  • Update your Moodle profile with a picture and encourage students to do the same.
  • Initiate regular (e.g. weekly, bi-weekly) web-conferencing meetings to connect with students in real time.
  • Spend time during virtual meetings checking in with students’ well-being.
  • Take care of yourself. Share with students how you are maintaining your own well-being, e.g. through healthy eating and activity.
  • Create a community space in Moodle using Padlet or a forum and encourage students to share pictures and other non-course related updates.

Communication

  • Add a video to your course where you speak to the changing situation and your response.
  • Reach out to students individually through phone or email to see how they are doing.
  • Make yourself available for office hours via Collaborate Ultra with a few different meeting times.
  • Record all web-conferencing meetings for students who aren’t able to attend.
  • Consider adding a course Q&A forum where students can ask questions and find answers to others’ questions.
  • Commit to timely response to students’ questions.

Learning activities

  • Include students in decision making, where possible (e.g. choosing between two readings, assignment options, etc.).
  • Stick with what is familiar for you and your learners.
  • Simplify and avoid introducing complex new tools.

Assessment

  • Provide students with a chance to practice and receive feedback on assessment that requires the use of Collaborate or MyMedia (e.g. presentations).
  • Be flexible on assignment due dates.
  • Break down complex assignments to smaller pieces.
  • Abandon assignments that may create unnecessary stress.

Student support

RRU Student Services is providing the following support services to students during the period of social distancing:

Additional resources

Below is a list of internal and external articles/resources that may be of interest to faculty and staff looking for information in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We will endeavor to keep this list up to date.