Body
Purpose
This guide helps Chatham instructors teach virtually with confidence by sharing recommended tools, common teaching workflows, and practical pedagogy tips.
Table of Contents:
Quick Start Checklist
Chatham Supported Tools
Virtual Teaching Workflow
Virtual Teaching Pedagogical Tips
Support and Help
Quick Start Checklist
1) Confirm your access
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Log into your Chatham email and Microsoft 365 account
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Confirm you can access Brightspace and your course shell
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Make sure you can log into any tools you plan to use (Zoom, Teams, YuJa, etc.)
Helpful reference:
2) Check your technology readiness
Recommended baseline:
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High-speed internet connection (minimum 8 Mbps up/down recommended)
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A reliable computer (8 GB RAM and ~120 GB free space recommended)
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A headset or earbuds with microphone (improves audio quality)
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Webcam (built-in or external)
3) Decide how you will meet with students
Choose one primary live tool:
4) Decide how you will share recorded content
Use YuJa to record and share course videos (and connect them to Brightspace when needed).
5) Build engagement
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Discussion board activity
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Collaborative Padlet board
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Short quiz/check-for-understanding
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Reflection prompt
6) Add a “Help & Support” area in your course
Include:
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Who to contact for technical help
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What to do if students can’t access Brightspace, Zoom, or course materials
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Links to required tools
Chatham-Supported Tools for Virtual Teaching
Brightspace (LMS)
Best for: Course organization, content, assignments, grades
Use it to:
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Post weekly modules and checklists
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Collect assignments and give feedback
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Host discussions and quizzes
Link:
Microsoft Teams - Preferred
Best for: Collaboration and communication
Use it to:
Link:
Zoom - 40-minute limit
Best for: Live class sessions and office hours
Use it to:
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Teach live with screen sharing
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Use chat, polls, breakout rooms
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Record sessions (when appropriate)
Link:
YuJa
Best for: Recording and sharing instructional video
Use it to:
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Record lectures or demonstrations
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Share videos inside Brightspace
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Support captioning and accessibility
Link:
H5P
Best for: Interactive learning content
Use it to:
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Build interactive videos, flashcards, practice activities
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Create short self-check learning tasks
Link:
Edpuzzle
Best for: Video with embedded questions and participation tracking
Use it to:
Link:
Padlet
Best for: Collaborative boards and visual sharing
Use it to:
Link:
VoiceThread
Best for: Multimedia discussions (audio/video/text)
Use it to:
Link:
Turnitin
Best for: Originality checking and feedback support
Use it to:
Link:
Respondus LockDown Browser / Monitor
Best for: Online testing security (when needed)
Use it to:
Link:
Thinglink
Best for: Interactive images and learning experiences
Use it to:
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Create interactive walkthroughs, diagrams, or virtual tours
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Add hotspots to visuals with resources and explanations
Link:
Common Virtual Teaching Workflows
A simple weekly structure students can follow
A reliable pattern reduces confusion and increases participation:
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Preview: what we’re learning this week
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Learn: short video/readings
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Practice: low-stakes activity
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Discuss/Collaborate: discussion, Padlet, VoiceThread, group work
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Submit: assignment or quiz
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Reflect: short wrap-up or self-check
Live session structure (Teams or Zoom)
A strong 45–75 minute virtual session often includes:
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Opening (5 min): welcome + quick prompt in chat
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Teach (10–15 min): short chunk of instruction
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Engage (5–10 min): poll, breakout, or quick share
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Repeat: 2–3 short cycles
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Wrap-up (5 min): recap + what’s due + where to find it
Video + engagement workflow
Online Discussions Best Practices
To improve participation and quality:
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Give students 2–3 prompt options (choice helps engagement)
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Require evidence (quote, timestamp, data point, example)
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Provide a short rubric or checklist
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Grade lightly but consistently
Pedagogical Tips for Virtual Teaching
Design for attention, not endurance
Students learn better with variety and interaction than with long lectures.
Try this: short content + frequent student actions (polls, chat prompts, quick writing)
Make expectations visible
Students do better when they know exactly what “good work” looks like.
Try this: weekly checklists, examples, and rubrics
Increase instructor presence without increasing workload
Presence doesn’t require long meetings.
Try this: weekly announcements, short recap videos, “top misconceptions” posts
Build belonging early
Online learning improves when students feel connected.
Try this: intro activity + small groups that stay together for a few weeks
Plan for flexibility and access
Not all students have the same tech or environment.
Try this: captions/transcripts, mobile-friendly content, clear alternatives to live attendance
Use frequent, low-stakes assessment
This helps students stay on track and reduces anxiety.
Try this: short quizzes, reflections, exit tickets, practice assignments
Support & Help
IT Support Services
For accounts, software, Wi-Fi, and device issues:
Helpful reference