Online Tools for Engaged Teaching & Learning
There are a number of online tools and platforms that can aid in keeping your hybrid/ remote students engaged in and out of classtime. The following list has been compiled by Faculty Champions & Innovators, with additional input from Cleveland State University instructional technologists.
Not all platforms are listed. Some noted here are supported by CSU, such as Microsoft Team, Zoom, Panopto, Turnitin, etc., while others are independent organizations that may require additional subscriptions to access.
| Name | Description | Contact/ Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blackboard | Blackboard Learn is CSU's official Learning Management System. A Learning Management System (LMS) is an application used for the development and delivery of online course materials and fully online courses. Blackboard Learn is self-contained, with all of the functions for designing and delivering online courses available in the LMS including: the development of materials, communication and instructor functions. Access to Blackboard Learn at CSU is automatic. When you are added to the University’s PeopleSoft system and assigned to teach a course, you will automatically receive a course shell for each course on Blackboard Learn. Your PeopleSoft authentication credentials (same as for email, CampusNet) are used to login to Blackboard Learn. Students are automatically enrolled into courses. Once they register in CampusNet, they see their courses in Blackboard the following business day. | eLearning |
| Blackboard Collaborate | Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a real-time video conferencing tool that lets you add files, share applications, and use a virtual whiteboard to interact. Collaborate with the Ultra experience opens right in your browser, so you don't have to install any software to join a session. | eLearning |
| Flipgrid | Flipgrid allows faculty to create "grids" to facilitate video discussions. Each grid acts as a message board where faculty can pose questions, and students can post video responses that appear in a tiled grid display. | Melanie Gagich |
| Jamboard | Google integrated collaboration platform that allows participants to write, draw, and present Google search results in one space for up to 50 people at one time. | Melanie Gagich |
| Kahoot! | Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that makes it easy to create, share and play learning games or trivia quizzes in minutes. | Mary Gergis |
| Learning Catalytics | Learning Catalytics is an interactive student response tool (clicker) that encourages team-based learning by using students' smartphones, tablets, or laptops to engage them in interactive tasks and thinking. | Anne O'Connor |
| Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams is a chat-based collaboration platform complete with document sharing, online meetings, and more. Teams has other Microsoft applications integrated including Outlook, SharePoint, OneNote, and Skype. This tool is part of CSU's Engage365 software. | Jorge Gatica, Marcus Schultz-Bergin, Joanne Goodell, CIT&DL |
| Multimedia Equipment Loaning | CIT&DL maintains a large collection of audio/visual equipment to meet the multimedia presentation needs of faculty. Many of these items can be used to better deliver and record handwritten content for remote/online delivery. | CIT&DL - Valerie Isom |
| Nearpod | Interactive platform that allows instructors to integrate quizzes, polls, videos, and collaboration boards into presentations. | |
| Padlet | Padlet is a free online bulletin board, that can be used by students and faculty to post notes on a common page. The notes posted can include links, videos, images, and document files. | Selma Koc |
| Panopto | Panopto provides lecture recording, screencasting, video streaming, and video content mangement software. This tool is integrated into our Blackboard LMS at CSU, and replaced Tegrity recorder in Spring 2020. | eLearning, CIT&DL |
| Perusall | Perusall allows students to collectively annotate readings within online threads, encouraging interaction and social connection outside of classtime. This tool is integrated into our Blackboard LMS at CSU. | eLearning |
| PollEverywhere | PollEverywhere allows synchronous & asynchronous audience feedback, including polling and word clouds, without using clickers. It can be integrated seamlessly into presentations and takes responses via text message or web browser. | Joanne Goodell |
| Respondus Lockdown Browser | LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within a learning management system. Students are unable to copy, print, or access other applications, or visit other websites, during an online exam. This tool is integrated into our Blackboard LMS at CSU. | eLearning |
| Turnitin | Turnitin provides instructors with the tools to engage students in the writing process, provide personalized feedback, and assess student progress over time. This tool is integrated into our Blackboard LMS at CSU. | eLearning |
| Zoom - Breakout Rooms | Breakout rooms allow faculty to split Zoom meetings into 50 separate sessions maximum. The meeting host can choose to split the participants of the meeting into these separate sessions automatically or manually, or they can allow participants to select and enter breakout sessions as they please. The host can switch between sessions at any time. | CIT&DL |
| Zoom - Polling | The polling feature for meetings allows faculty to create single choice or multiple choice polling questions for meetings. Faculty can launch the poll during a meeting and gather responses from students, with the option to download a report of polling responses during or after the meeting. Polls can also be conducted anonymously to omit participant information from polling results. | CIT&DL |
| Zoom - General Help & Consultation | CIT&DL hosts a live Zoom meeting, Monday through Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM. CSU Faculty, Staff, and Students can visit the room to: receive help with Zoom issues, consult with experts on how to get the greatest use of its tools, and schedules personalized training for individuals and groups. | CIT&DL |