MSU Core Tools and Accessibility

By using MSU core teaching tools, you can ensure students have access and that there is support from MSU for the tools you are using to teach. For further details on how to use the core tools for common remote teaching situations, please refer to the Instructional Support page.

Our MSU Academic Technology Tools, A-Z and by Use Case is another great resource to use for learning the tools that can help with teaching and engagement.

 

MSU Core Tools

D2L: Holds course materials, communicates course grades, and lets you give quizzes, etc.

  • One of the most important steps to take to ensure classes can continue online is to activate your course in D2L.
    1. Log into D2L and click "View All Courses" under the "My Courses" section.
    2. Select the course and then click "Course Admin" from the menu.
    3. Select "Course Offering Information," check the box "Course is Active," and save.
  • MSU sets up every credit-bearing course section at MSU in D2L each semester and enrolls all students.
  • D2L is recommended as a place to add your syllabus, readings, and engage with your students online.
  • To access a course template, template for your D2L course, contact the DigitalX team through the help desk.
  • For a brief walkthrough of the D2L interface and how to get started, view this overview video.
  • For further D2L training and resources, visit: https://help.d2l.msu.edu/training

Email: Correspond digitally.

  • As your initial form of communication with students, it is important to inform students often about course changes and expectations.
  • Use the Instructor Systems email tool from the Registrar’s website to send messages to your whole class, or you can use Spartan Mail for individual and small group communications.

Zoom: Conference via video. 

  • Zoom allows you to video conference with up to 300 students at a time by logging into http://msu.zoom.us/.
  • You can use Zoom to host a virtual class, share your screen to give a lecture and to record the lecture for future viewing.
    • For large classes, MSU has purchased the webinar version that allows you to have up to 500 people in the session.
  • Zoom meetings scheduled after April 1, 2020 will require passwords to enter meeting rooms.
    • These passwords can be created and modified by meeting creators using the following instructions: https://bit.ly/2xAMFss.

To improve the quality of your Zoom sessions, consider the following best practices:

  • Sit in a quiet space
  • Use an external mic (like a headset, headphones with mic or USB mic)
  • Have your audio muted if you are not speaking
  • Adjust your default settings so that participants begin with their mics muted

The following videos and tutorials provide further guidance for getting started with Zoom:

MediaSpace: Store and stream video and audio.

  • You can store all videos and audio that you make at MediaSpace, MSU’s version of YouTube.
  • Once videos are uploaded, you can add them to your D2L course.

Microsoft 365: Make documents/presentations/spreadsheets, etc.

  • All students and faculty have free licenses for Microsoft Office.
  • All students are able to access and create these file types.
  • You can log in with your MSU NetID to use the web version or to download current versions from spartan.365.msu.edu.

MSU Virtual Desktop: Access virtual labs on your own device

  • The service gives authorized students, faculty, and staff access to licensed university software and applications through an online portal

Snagit

  • Snagit allows you to capture screenshots, record short videos via capture or webcam, and edit content to help enhance your course.
  • MSU has an agreement to provide teaching staff with a license for this service through June 2020.
  • To access the software, please go to msu.onthehub.com or the Camtasia and Snagit Access Community in D2L.
  • If you are a TA or GA, please note that you will need to access and acquire this software through D2L and not msu.onthehub.com. Snagit is licensed for a limited term that ends June of 2020. Any use of this software after June 2020 will require that you either pay to use the software or uninstall.

Camtasia

  • Camtasia allows you to capture your screen as a recorded video, edit your captured videos, and create quizzes for your classes.
  • Camtasia is ideal for capturing your lectures when teaching online, as it allows students to access content and review it as they need.
  • MSU has an agreement to provide teaching staff with a license for this service through June 2020.
  • To access the software, please go to msu.onthehub.com or the Camtasia and Snagit Access Community in D2L.
  • If you are a TA or GA, please note that you will need to access and acquire this software through D2L and not msu.onthehub.com. Camtasia is licensed for a limited term that ends June of 2020. Any use of this software after June 2020 will require that you either pay to use the software or uninstall.

 

Accessibility Considerations

When changes to the learning environment occur, creating an inclusive and accessible learning experience for students with disabilities is a top priority. This includes providing accessible content and implementing student disability accommodations.

Faculty and students should be prepared to discuss accommodation needs that may arise. The team at MSU Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) will be available to answer questions about implementing accommodations.

Contact information for Team RCPD is found at https://www.rcpd.msu.edu/teamrcpd. Resources for creating accessible online course materials to ensure inclusive learning experiences are available at webaccess.msu.edu. You can also review the Accessibility Quick Tips below and find more details on webaccess:

  • Text Contrast: Use black text on a white background to ensure that the text stands out on the page.
  • Text Styles: Do not rely on color alone to denote differences in emphasis and content meaning.
  • Heading Styles: Use built-in heading styles to designate content organization.
  • List Styles: Use the built-in bullet or number styles for lists.
  • Alt Text: Provide a brief text alternative for images, graphs, and charts that answers the question: why is this image important?
  • Closed Captioning: Captioning your media provides greater student comprehension of the material covered and provides access to media for individuals with hearing impairments in compliance with federal regulations.
    • As you create media content for virtual teaching, we recommend that you upload it to Kaltura MediaSpace and order closed captions. 
  • Link Text: Use descriptive titles for link text, titles, and headers.
  • Tables: Use simple tables when possible, with column and row headers.

Teaching