You will likely need word processing software to review student papers and perform other tasks. Here are a few we recommend:

• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Pages (for Mac only)

Each of these tools gives you the ability to write and format a text document and include items such as tables, diagrams, headers, bulleted lists, and more. Creating, editing, saving, renaming, and deleting a document are all important functions in these types of software.

When editing a document, remember to frequently save your changes in case of an unexpected hardware or software issue. Some word processing softwares may autosave your work but some might require you to click Save to keep your changes.

Some documents will keep a history of the versions of the document, which can be very useful. Microsoft Word has a “Track Changes” feature to mark what revisions were made to a document. You must manually enable this tool to mark changes clearly for students or collaborators to review, and you can also also accept or reject changes someone else has made.

Google Docs does this automatically by saving a version history; you can see who made what changes and when.

“Downloading” means saving a file from the Internet. (“Uploading” means saving a file to the Internet.”) When you download a file, it will likely go into a folder called “Downloads” on your computer. You can click and drag the file into another folder on your computer or hard drive if it is a file you will need later. To find the “Downloads” folder on your computer, try the steps below.

PC

• Method 1: Click on the start button. Click on computer. Find the folder called “Downloads” in the left-hand menu and select it.
• Method 2: Click on the folder icon and then find the folder on the left-hand menu called “Downloads” and select it.

If you can’t find your downloads, try some of the strategies on this troubleshooting page for finding downloads.

Mac

• Method 1: From the Dock, click the “Downloads” icon next to the Trash Can on the right.
• Method 2: From the Finder, click Go from the menu bar and select Downloads.

If you don’t see a Downloads option under the Go menu, click Home. The downloads folder should also be visible in your Home folder.

The process of downloading files will differ slightly depending on your browser and how you’ve set it up. We’ll try out two different approaches, and you can decide which one works best for you.

Option 1: Left click

Left click the link, and the browser will either download the file to a default location (which you’ll need to know so you can locate the file later) or it will ask you where you’d like to save the file. For this option, just left click this link (Word Doc, 27KB).

Option 2: Right click

When you right click a link, a menu of options will appear. You’re looking for an option such as “Save target as,” “Save link as,” or “Download linked file as.” Once you select this option, you’ll be asked where you want to save the file. For this option, right click this link (Word Doc, 27KB), select “Desktop” from the menu on your left, and click “Save.”

Once you’ve downloaded a file to your computer, how do you find it so you can open it? The answer to this question depends on how you downloaded the file.

Option 1: Open the browser’s default “Download” folder

If you left clicked the link to the file and let the browser download it to the default location, the file will most likely be in a “Downloads” folder.

PC Users: In Chrome, Firefox, or IE, you can press CTRL + J to open the “Downloads” folder. Double click the file to open it.

Mac Users: In Firefox or IE, you can press Command + J to open the “Downloads” folder. In Chrome, you can press Shift + Command + J to open the “Downloads” folder. In Safari, press Command + Option + L to open the “Downloads” folder. Double click the file to open it.

Option 2: Open the folder you selected when you downloaded the file

If you went with the right click option, then you chose where to save the file. If you followed the instructions in the previous step of this activity, you saved the file to your Desktop. If you didn’t, you’re going to need to locate the folder where you chose to save the file.

From time to time you may need to install an application for a course you’re teaching. To get some practice installing programs, click these links to install Skype or install Google Chrome following the instructions for your device and operating system.

If you aren’t sure where to find files, you can search for them:

• Searching for files on a PC
• Searching for files on a Mac using the Finder

Organize your files into folders and subfolders, and name them something meaningful. For example, you may want to create folders for each online course you teach and subfolders for the different semesters:

• RTT380 (folder)
  • Summer2020 (subfolder)
  • Spring2020 (subfolder)
• RTT100 (folder)
  • Fall2020 (subfolder)
  • Spring2020 (subfolder)

NOTE: Using the course acronym and number is probably the most efficient way to name your main files. You may also choose to add the course name, e.g., PCS150_Global Conflict.

To create folders follow these directions:

Windows

• Click Start, then click Documents.
• Click “New Folder.”
• By default it will be called New Folder. Give it a new name by typing in a new name, then click Enter.
• To add items to the folder, click and drag files into it.

Mac

• Click the desktop if you want to create the folder on the desktop; otherwise, open a Finder window and navigate to where you want to create the folder.
• Choose File > New Folder.
• Enter a name for the folder, then press Return.
• To add items to the folder, click and drag files into it.

When you rename a file, only the name changes. Its location, file type, and content remain the same. To rename a file, follow the steps below.

Windows

• Method 1: Right-click the file and choose “Rename” from the menu that pops up. Type in the new one. Press Enter or click the desktop when you are done.
• Method 2: Click the filename or folder name, wait a moment, and click the name again to change it.
• Method 3: Click the filename and press F2; Windows automatically lets you rename the file or folder.

Mac

• Method 1: Rename a file or folder by selecting it and hitting the “return” key. Type in the new name, then click “return” or click away with the mouse cursor to set the change.
• Method 2: Use right-click and choose “Rename” from the menu. If you right-click (or control+click) on a file name in the Finder, you can choose a “Rename” option to rename a specific file. Then hit return or click away with the mouse cursor to set the change.
• Method 3: In the Finder, click once on the actual filename text and hover for a moment with the mouse cursor, then click again. (If you click too quickly, it opens the file.) Type in the new name, then hit “return” or click away with the mouse cursor to set the change.

As an instructor, you have access to protected student data. UNC Greensboro adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), under which students’ grades, test scores, financial records, class schedules, social security numbers, disciplinary records, and other confidential data are protected. Students have a right to see their own educational records and control who else sees them. You have a legal responsibility to protect that data. This means not sharing students’ protected data with anyone other than the student.

• Lock your computer with a password. (How to set a computer password in Windows | Mac)
• Do not email grades or store them in a place where others can see them, even if they are coded. Instead, use a Learning Management System like Canvas to enter grades where students can view them securely.
• Do not share a student’s grades with anyone besides the student, even a parent or in a reference letter, unless authorized. Parents may be accustomed to viewing their student’s educational records, but according to FERPA, once a student turns 18 years old, the rights to view and manage their own educational records transfer to the student from the parents.
• Student information stored electronically should be secured and available only to those who are entitled to access that information.

There are many more aspects to protecting your data and students’ data; review the UNCG FERPA website to read through them carefully and apply them. For further information with regard to FERPA, please feel free to consult the UNCG University Counsel’s website.

You can also explore the UNCG Policy for Secure Data and UNCG storage services.

You may not; this protected information could potentially be visible to others who share the same drive permissions.

Yes. Directory information such as students’ names and email addresses are ok to share with others within the class. Other non-protected data includes degrees and dates of attendance.

You may not. Although it may be a convenient way for you to manage grades, sharing these spreadsheets would violate FERPA because students’ grades would be shared with others besides themselves. Storing data like this in an Excel spreadsheet should only be done if absolutely necessary; we recommend password-protecting the document and your computer to prevent it from being shared accidentally.

You may not; email is not considered a secure method of sharing protected information. Instead, post the grades through a Learning Management System such as Canvas, which is set up to allow only you and the student to view individual grades.

No. FERPA applies to currently enrolled and formerly enrolled students without a time limit.

If you’re considering teaching an online course, you want to make sure that your Internet connection provides upload speeds of at least 5 Mbps and download speeds of at least 15 Mbps. These types of speeds are available with cable and fiber optic broadband connections. Cable internet can provide download and upload speeds from 512 Kbps to 20 Mbps, and fiber optic internet can provide download and upload speeds of up to 1 Gbps. However, anything less than 5 Mbps up and 15 Mbps down, and you’re going to have to wait a while for certain web pages to load. Test your Internet connection to see how fast it is. If you discover that your speeds are slow, try troubleshooting.

Tabs and windows are two separate, but similar, concepts. You can use different tabs and windows to explore different websites at the same time.

Think of a tab as a window within a window. You can have multiple tabs open within one browser window. It keeps your web content organized without having to close one page to visit another. Just click back and forth between tabs to return to the previously opened content.

To open a new tab, you have a few options, depending on what you’re doing. If you want to click on a URL and have it open in a new tab, you can right click and choose the selection from a list of options. Alternatively, you can click a plus sign or tab icon to the right of any open tabs. This should open a brand new tab ready for surfing. Just type in a URL or search keywords, and you’re off!

A browser window represents a brand new Internet browsing experience. You could click back and forth between an old window and a new window, but often times they’ll overlap. If a new browser window pops up in front of an old window, you may not be able to see the previous window. It gets confusing fast! A best practice is to use tabs for viewing multiple sites within the same browser. Check out the screenshots to see this in action.

Example of 1 Tab

Example of 2 Tabs

Example of 2 Windows

You can also use the Back button on your browser to return to previously viewed content. However, this is not recommended. If you’ve submitted content, like a form, your browser may not be able to return you to exactly where you’ve already visited, if it can return you at all. Again, using tabs within the same browser for viewing different pages of content is a best practice.

The Internet allows you to access the world at your fingertips. But not every site is credible or safe. Carefully evaluate web pages to determine if you’re exploring legitimate content.

Never enter private data, like your school credentials or other personally identifiable information, into untrustworthy sites. To assess a site’s security, look for “https” in the URL. This indicates a secure site that is more likely to be trustworthy. Also consider who made the site, why, and what motives or purposes the author may have. As a general rule, do not click on pop-ups or advertisements. If one appears, look for a way to close the window, like an X icon in a top right- or left-hand corner. When in doubt, close your browser and start again.

Privacy and security settings can be customized in your browser preferences. You may not want your browser to “remember” every site you visit or remember site logins. Or, you may want your browser to block what is considers to be dangerous and deceptive content. Update your settings to create a safe online experience.

Phishing attacks may enter your inbox in the form of a cleverly (or not so cleverly!) disguised email. Protect yourself, your computer, and your network by recognizing and avoiding fraudulent communications.

UNCG’s ITS shares several examples of what common phishing emails look like. Always look at the sender of the email. Ask yourself if the email address is legitimate. For example, an email from UNCG should have an @uncg.edu in the sender’s address. Do not click on links for senders you cannot verify, and never enter personally identifiable information or credentials in web forms or on web pages you cannot confirm are authentic.

One of the risks of phishing is that a user will click on a link that goes to a website that appears legitimate and enter important information. Another risk may be that an email will include file attachments that include spyware to install on your computer. You can call an organization to verify this is their official website if you are unsure.

Your email inbox should include a Spam folder. Unless you think a legitimate email may have been filtered into spam by mistake, let your email provider do its thing. Do not open spam emails or click on any links included in the emails.

If you’re at home, check your router and modem. All models are different, but there should be buttons or lights labeled as Power, WiFi, LAN, etc. Are the lights on or off? Are they flashing or static? Check your modem’s instruction manual for how to interpret these lights, or contact your home ISP. If all else fails, try unplugging the router and modem and plugging them back in.

Find your computer’s Network Settings and check those for any problems. Every computer is different, but you’ll probably find what you’re looking for under Settings or System Preferences. If you’re on a network that requires login credentials, such as UNCG’s eduroam network, also check Network Settings to ensure that your computer is actually connecting to that network.

Another idea is to let your computer do the work for you. Most computers have troubleshooting technology built in. Look for a button in Network Settings that says something like “Assist Me” and run diagnostics to try to determine the problem. If you try these strategies and don’t have any luck, reach out to your ISP or, if you’re on campus, UNCG’s 6-TECH for support.

If a particular website isn’t loading for you, there are a few things you can try. Sometimes particular sites may be blocked by your browser’s security settings. A pop-up window may appear in your browser that asks if you trust or approve the site. Clicking an option in the affirmative should display the page. You can also explore your web browser’s “Preferences” to change settings for sites you want to block or allow. Sometimes particular sites may be blocked by a network firewall. You can look for that under your computer’s Network Settings options.

Remember how we mentioned that different browsers have different capabilities? A web page may not function exactly right in Safari but works great in Chrome. If you’re having issues with a site, try opening it in a different browser. This may solve your problem.

Clearing your cache and cookies can also help you get a fresh start in your browser. This can make web pages load and run faster. Every browser is different, but this option will be found in preferences or settings.

If you aren’t sure which browser to use, consider PixelPrivacy’s guide to the most secure and private browsers.

Chrome

1. Open a new tab and type the following into your browser bar: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData.
2. Select a time frame.
3. Select what you want to delete.
4. Click “Clear browsing data.”

Firefox

1. Select “History” from the browser’s menu.
2. Select “Clear Recent History.”
3. Select a “Time Range to Clear.”
4. Choose what you want to delete.
5. Click “Clear Now.”

Internet Explorer
NOTE: For Internet Explorer 9 and higher

1. Select the Gear icon at the top right of the browser.
2. Select “Safety.”
3. Select “Delete Browsing History.”
4. Choose what you want to delete.
5. Click “Delete.”
   OR press Ctrl + Shift + Del and then complete steps 4 & 5.

Safari
NOTE: For Safari 8

1. Select “Safari” from the browser’s menu.
2. Select “Clear History and Website Data.”
3. Choose what you want to delete and click “Clear History.”

We’ve mentioned that updating your browser to the most current version is a best practice. You may also need to do this for various web applications if a web page isn’t loading or running properly.

Example: Enabling Flash

Flash is one type of file that is increasingly unsupported as it becomes obsolete. If you need to interact with web objects built in Java or Flash, your browser may direct you to download or update the application.
If you visit a page to watch a video or participate in a learning activity and see an image like this one, you would need to update your Flash.

You can simply follow the on-screen instructions or visit get.adobe.com/flashplayer/about to update to the latest version.

Follow the steps on the screen to squash technical bugs and get back to surfing.

Or this one:

If you already have Flash and still find that Flash objects are not loading for you, you might also need to enable Flash.

In the Chrome browser, here is how you enable Flash:

To enable Flash for all websites, open your Chrome browser and type chrome://settings/content in the address bar, then press enter.

Then on the Content Settings page, scroll down to Flash and select the button next to “Allow sites to run Flash.”

Resources

• How to update browser
• Test if Java works in your browser
• Test if Flash works in your browser

Between the headset, the cord, the volume mixer, and the application, there are often several places where your connection can get turned down or muted. It can happen from someone else using your machine, you brushing up against a knob on the cord, or fiddling with it absent mindedly. Sometimes an application crash will mute all audio for no apparent reason at all on relaunch. Doesn’t happen often, but if it happens to one person in a thousand, it could happen twenty times a day. Understanding how to fix basic audio issues is a big deal for online instructors, or at least the ones with an AV component. Know how to troubleshoot your audio, both the physical hardware, and the software. All of this applies to cameras and microphones as well.

Five minutes before you are going to start your lecture is absolutely not the time to see if your shiny new camera and microphone are going to work well for you, if at all. You need to make time well before the start of your class to test your stuff. Make sure not only that it’s working, but that you understand it and are not intimidated by it if something goes wrong. Similarly, don’t wait to the last minute to try and get into your course or set up your computer accounts. It can take up to two hours for your accounts to activate, and if the lecture you’ve scheduled to give starts in ten minutes . . . Well, let’s just say that’s bad. Help yourself by doing a precheck well in advance of any synchronous video recordings or video conferences.

We’ve had people call in to ITS with browsers and operating systems that are, literally, a decade out of date. It might work fine for you and what you do around the house, but the demands of the current Internet have, I’m sorry to say, completely passed you by. You can maybe get an antique Model T onto a superhighway, sure, but it’s not going to work well and could actually be pretty dangerous. Same goes for your computer. There are standards in browsers and websites for host of reasons, not the least of which are just simple security issues. Know how to update your software, and your OS. Enable automatic updates for your OS, or at the very least, have it notify you when they are available.

We have a lot of solid browser options these days: Internet Explorer, Edge, Firefox, Chrome, and even Opera (currently unsupported) isn’t all that bad. Personally, I go by the old adage of “If Mom says no, ask Dad.” Did the site work in IE? Do you have anything to lose by trying Firefox or Chrome? Probably not. You may not like it, and it may be irritating to try something new, but it’s better to deal with that irritation and get into your lecture on time than to spend a half hour of classroom time trying to get it to work exactly the way you want. You can spend some time getting your favorite browser to work comfortably after the class is over. It shouldn’t happen in Canvas, but I’ve seen buttons and options on other sites work completely well in one browser and be completely unavailable in another. It’s unusual, but it does happen.

If you aren’t sure which browser to use, consider PixelPrivacy’s guide to the most secure and private browsers.

Nothing fancy, but things like, “Do I have network connectivity at all?” “Is it just that site or is it all sites?” “Is my cable modem on and functioning?” “Did my kids mess with the wireless router again?” “Is everything still in Airplane Mode from my trip?” “Am I at a hospital, public school, or other location with extremely secure wireless settings?” Probably most of those home network outages are going to be fixed with a reboot. It’s genuinely faster to reboot than trying to troubleshoot most of it, as most of the solutions are going to involve a reboot at the end anyway. It’s an overused cliché, sure, but if I had to ballpark, I’d say a solid reboot is going to fix probably half or more of your typical home networking problems, since most of them will just be hiccups in connectivity.

When you are tired, stressed, and frustrated is when you are going to make the most mistakes and overlook the simplest things. When things start to go wrong, throwing panic and stress into the mix is only going to snowball a small irritation into a complete catastrophe. If you feel fear start to set in, take a deep breath and walk away. It’s for the best. You could get a cup of tea, come back, puzzle it out slowly and methodically. It’s better (and faster) to waste a couple of minutes getting your head into a space where you can think through the problem carefully than to rush in headlong and compound the problem. “When it rains, it pours.” And when it’s pouring, I find it’s usually because of something I did. Okay. Several somethings.

We recommend following the Canvas course setup checklist.

When you are finished making an item and ready for students to see it, it’s key to publish each item. Students cannot see unpublished items, so you can keep drafts unpublished until they are complete.

You can make updates to the course as it is live, but we recommend setting up the entire course before the course begins. In this way, you can focus on teaching and grading rather than updating the course.

• How do I use the Course Setup Checklist?
• How do I change the Course Home Page?
• How do I reorder and hide Course Navigation links?
• What are Modules?

Modules Overview

What are Canvas Discussions?

Discussions Overview

Assignments in Canvas are an essential way for your students to submit proof of their learning to you. Assignments may be files students upload, such as a paper or diagram or other type of file. Assignments can also be multimedia, such as audio or video the student creates.
We recommend creating a rubric to go along with any assignment, so students can be aware of your expectations before they submit, and you can have a streamlined grading process.

• What are Assignments in Canvas?
• What are Rubrics in Canvas?

Assignments Overview

Creating Quizzes

Canvas uses the word “quizzes” to refer broadly to quizzes, exams, tests, and surveys. In this area, you can set up any of those items to be graded or ungraded. Questions can be multiple choice, short answer, or more. Quizzes can be set up to display in randomized order if they are built using question banks, which also allow you to re-use questions later if needed.

• What are Quizzes?
• What are Question Banks?

As students submit their assignments to Canvas, you can view their submissions and enter grades. Canvas’ SpeedGrader tool allows you to cycle through students’ submissions and enter grades. You can also send feedback through text or audio or voice commentary. If you set up rubrics, you may find the grading process is even more expedited.

• What are Grades in Canvas?
• What are Rubrics in Canvas?
• What is SpeedGrader?

Grading Overview

Announcements can be used to communicate with students about course logistics, such as sharing news resources, reminding them of upcoming assignments, and recognizing their work. Many instructors opt to do weekly announcements. Announcements go to students’ emails as well.

Announcements Overview