Teaching
Spring semester 2021
The organization of the spring semester 2021 follows the model of the previous semester. Below you will find useful information on technical and educational aspects. Please read them carefully.
In case of additional questions, please contact:
- the SITEL for technical questions
- the Teaching and Pedagogy Support for pedagogical questions
Spring semester 2021
At the start of the 2021 spring semester, most of the teaching will be given online (some courses have been granted exceptions for special pedagogical reasons).
Teachers give their courses on a regular schedule in order to maintain the rhythm and structure of the week. Distance teaching thus takes place in synchronous (live) mode. Teachers are responsible for keeping students informed about the organization of their courses.
Lessons are taught using Webex (see technical aspects below). Sessions are recorded and shared on the Moodle platform afterwards.
Technical aspects
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Webex applications
Webex applications
Webex is a video conferencing tool that allows you to organize live video and / or audio sessions. There are several Webex applications that allow you to share content (screen, files, whiteboard), conduct polls, chat via chat, or split the main room into smaller rooms (for discussions and group work).
Teachers are invited to choose one of the two applications that best meets their needs: The tool that is used by the majority of teachers is Webex Meetings (easy to use, creation of subgroups possible). Webex Training offers more sophisticated functions. The main differences between these two applications are summarized in the table in the Getting started guide.
- Webex Meetings (in french)
- Webex Training (in french)
- Start Guide /Guide de démarrage (in french)
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Necessary preparations for teachers
Necessary preparations for teachers
- Familiarize yourself with the equipment in the room assigned to the course (see above)
- Learn about the different applications available from Webex (see above)
- Organize teaching materials and activities (see teaching tips below)
- Create a Webex Enterprise personal account (if you have not done so already)
- Test tools and features in advance
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Procedure for an interactive session
Procedure for an interactive session
Before class
- Create a Webex session, or use your personal Webex room
- Share the link on the Webex session with the students on Moodle
During class
- Start the Webex session and record the session
- Regularly ensure that the technology is working
After class
- Edit the video
- Publish the video on Moodle
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Course recording
Course recording
When the teacher hosts a Webex session from their laptop, they should initiate the recording on Webex and share the course recording on the Moodle platform at the end of the lesson.
If the teacher prefers to teach in a classroom at UniNE, this is possible.
In rooms with basic equipment, the teacher triggers the recording of the session in the Webex application. It is recommended that you record sessions into the cloud. Processing takes a few hours, but it preserves interactions and does not require playback format conversion.
In rooms equipped with the UbiCast system, recording can be automated, provided that the teacher has requested it in advance from the SITEL. Be careful in this case to give the teaching in the room agreed with the SITEL.
- UbiCast (in french)
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Audio-visual equipment available in the classrooms
Audio-visual equipment available in the classrooms
At UniNE, there are three types of audio-visual equipment:
- Basic equipment: a removable camera, an ambient microphone; around 50 rooms
- Ubicast equipment: basic equipment plus automatic deferred recording; 22 rooms
- Premium equipment: automated and live replay
In the few rooms not equipped with audiovisual equipment, the teacher must use his or her laptop.
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Publish the video on Moodle
Publish the video on Moodle
Webex
After recording a session into the cloud with Webex, the teacher receives an email as soon as the video is available on their Webex personal space in MP4 format.
If the recording was made locally, it is immediately available but you still have to convert its format.
You can then publish the video in Moodle by adding the corresponding link (see video sharing).
- Conversion of the format / Convertir le format (in french)
- Video sharing / Partager un enregistrement (in french)
UbiCast
For UbiCast, the teacher receives a message as soon as the video is available on his or her page. She or he can then publish it in Moodle by adding the corresponding link (add a video).
The SITEL multimedia page offers many tutorials on the various possibilities to record your screen or edit a video, either on your workstation or in the UbiCast system.
- SITEL - www.unine.ch/sitel/multimedia
Pedagogical aspects
Distance learning poses a number of challenges for the teacher. Efficient communication with the students is especially important. Make sure that the information related to your teaching is well structured, including communication on the following issues:
- the course - content, course description, learning objectives, how to contact you, course organization, etc.
- group work, projects, evaluations, deadlines
- teaching methods and technologies
It is also important to manage your presence remotely using available communication channels (emails, Moodle messages, forum, chat, etc.), reception hours, and by giving regular feedback on student work.
The distance education literature shows that a sense of belonging improves learning and decreases feelings of isolation. Indeed, it is recommended to organize participatory activities and group activities in order to involve all students. The teacher can help students contact each other and facilitate work in groups.
Before the session
- Communicate with students on teaching and working methods via Moodle
- Make all teaching material available on the Moodle platform
- Plan your teaching carefully
- Plan each session
- Adapt the activities so that they can be carried out remotely
During the session
- At the start of the session: explain how the course is going to work
- Manage activities that involve interactions
- Discuss, and come to an agreement with the students, on the ground rules of the course
- Offer activities to get to know each other, to ensure a feeling of inclusion for all students and to encourage their participation
- Vary the pace of the session and the proposed activities in order to retain attention
- Guarantee equal treatment between the students
- Create links between the students using appropriate activities (chat, polls, working groups, discussion, etc.)
After the session
- Set up a system to answer questions and ensure there is a follow-up to the next session
- Organize forums and / or offer online reception hours to be available for questions and discussions.
- Anticipate "typical" questions and create a question / answer page on Moodle
Printable version
Teaching support
SITEL Contact
The campus is divided into different zones. Contact the SITEL collaborator in charge of your zone:
SITEL Hotline
If you cannot get hold of the SITEL person in charge of your zone, contact Hotline
Install VPN
Use VPN to connect to the UniNE network remotely. It is necessary to install the software Cisco AnyConnect VPN
User manual