Dear Faculty Colleagues, 

As President Burwell announced on December 29, nearly all spring classes will move online from January 10 to January 30. To that end, we are sending you a list of resources to assist with updating your courses on Canvas, setting up for class sessions on Zoom, and thinking about how to build community and connect with your students.  

• Canvas Support: Faculty have access to Canvas 24/7 support via email, chat, and phone. Click the Help button located on the lower-left navigation in Canvas.  
  • For AU specific questions, please email canvas@american.edu or call 202-885-3904.
  • Visit AU’s Learning Support Services portal for self-help. 
  • Update your Canvas skills through Canvas Refresher Videos.
  • Access Canvas’s Training Services Portal Tutorial via the Canvas Help button (for those new to Canvas) and Canvas’s Growing with Canvas course (again, for those new to Canvas). 
  • Review Zoom Resources. 
• Course Development: If you need individual support in designing your course, please contact the assigned instructional designer for your school/college. 
• Teaching Strategies: CTRL offers one-on-one and small group consultations for faculty to help you develop inclusive and engaging learning experiences, discuss evidence-based pedagogical practices, or brainstorm strategies to enhance your teaching.  
• Teaching Resources: Additional resources, such as syllabus guides, best practices for trauma-informed teaching and inclusive pedagogy, and upcoming (and past) recordings of workshops can be found on CTRL’s website. 
• Upcoming Workshops & Events:  
  • Wednesday, January 5 (3 p.m.): Responding to the Remote Transition: Modeling Community Building and Connection [Register] 
  • Friday, January 7: Ann Ferren Conference on Teaching, Research & Learning [Register] 
  • Register for workshops this week on Canvas Overview, Zoom within Canvas, and Kaltura within Canvas.[Register] 

• Quality Matters Rubric: Visit the Eagle Online Excellence website for information on best practices in course design, including the Quality Matters Rubric.

We wish you all the best for the spring semester and stand ready to assist you if you have any questions. 

Thank you, 

Office of Digital Learning and Strategy
Center for Teaching, Research & Learning
Academic Technology, University Library