In order to ensure a responsible, safe and healthy learning environment at Otterbein, the institution will employ remote learning strategies as the standard method for conducting classes as well as related teaching and learning activities starting March 18.
The 2020 Fall semester brings additional changes, some classes will be online, some with a blended approach, and some face-to-face. Message from Academic Affairs.
Fall Semester Classes message from Academic Affairs
Remote learning is defined as education that takes place over the Internet using a variety of digital tools. It can also be referred to as e-learning, online learning or distance learning. Regardless of the term, the defining characteristic of remote learning is that classroom activities take place across distance and not in a traditional classroom.
Consistent use of supported platforms provides a predictable user experience for student, faculty, and staff. It also helps us better support your work. The Center for Teaching & Learning and the Office of Information Technology Services primarily recommend and support Blackboard Learn, Collaborate Ultra and Microsoft Teams during this transition:
Other tools available on campus is Digication ePortfolio and, of course, the Office365 Suite of applications. Please note that while other tools are available online, they are not officially supported by CTL and ITS.
Keep things phone friendly: In a crisis, many students may only have a phone available, so make sure you are using mobile-friendly formats, PDFs being the most common. Consider saving other files (for example, PowerPoint presentations) to PDFs, which are easier to read on phones and tablets, and keep the file size small. It is fairly easy to reduce the size of PDF files using Adobe Acrobat, and there are online tools that do the same thing (for example, search Google for "PDF file size"). Videos take lots of bandwidth, so only require them if you are confident students will have access to them during a crisis.