OIT Technology News: Back to School 2020 Edition

In this edition, we provide important information on SMUFlex and teaching virtually, FERPA, accessing lab software off-campus, new Zoom Spaces, plus much more.

Zoom Video Sharing Made Easy: Save Straight Into Canvas OIT has implemented a helpful new integration tool that allows faculty to easily save Zoom class recordings directly into Canvas for easy sharing with students. Find out how to enable this helpful feature.

Beyond Canvas' Quiz Tool - Many Options for Online Quizzes, Tests & Final Exams With many faculty members asking, "Do I have to use Canvas' Quiz tool?" and "What other options do I have?" we have created a new Online Testing Resources page. SMUFlex, Our Innovative Necessity SMUFlex instruction requires creativity, adaptability, a thorough mastery of available technology tools, and an uncompromising willingness to rethink instruction based on each moment's necessity. Faculty are encouraged to visit and practice in assigned SMUFlex teaching spaces early and often so that there are no surprises.

Student Zoom Expectations: Camera On, Please! One question we get from faculty is, "Am I allowed to request that my students enable their cameras during a live Zoom class session?" And the answer is…

FERPA & Class Recordings: What You Need To Know Many faculty and students alike have many questions regarding how to best protect student privacy-especially privacy relating to class video recordings. In this post, we answer some of those questions.   Accessing Specialized Software from On-Campus or Off Many courses require access to specific software applications to complete assignments. We have implemented a new lab solution to provide access from on-campus and off.

Need Help? We Got You Covered. Navigating this semester will be challenging enough. We know you have questions, and we are here to help! Zoom Spaces Provide Physical Space for Virtual Meetings To provide quiet spaces for students to study or attend an online class while on campus, several rooms have been set aside as Zoom Spaces, which can be reserved up to two weeks in advance.

OIT Solutions Cheat Sheet We have created a cheat sheet of popular tools and software with their SMU equivalent. We also have a service catalog page showcasing the vast array of computing and technology services available. Online Ready: Successful Fall Instructional Readiness Initiative OIT and CTE recently joined forces to develop and to facilitate a massive University-wide online teaching readiness initiative. This initiative was to ensure that all faculty have access to courses designed to develop the skills and knowledge required to elevate the quality and consistency of fully online instruction.

Finding Remote Learners in my.SMU OIT recently partnered with Enrollment Services to provide faculty several enhancements in my.smu to display students who are taking classes remotely. Annual Bulk Email List Refresh on August 21 On Friday, August 21, 2020, the yearly Lyris Bulk email list refresh for graduate and undergraduate students will be processed. This year, the refresh will include email addresses for staff.