Office of IDEAS
Tools for Teaching
The Office of IDEAS has many ways to assist you in creating an exemplary course. We can get you started with Canvas, Zoom (a web-conferencing tool), Panopto (video platform), Qualtrics (survey tool), Respondus (lock-down browser for online test-taking), GSuite for Teaching, multiple ways to capture your lecture - just to name a few. Explore some of the supported options in more depth below.
Canvas is the official Learning Management System (LMS) at Fresno State. It serves as a learning platform for faculty to share resources, post course announcements and syllabi, and maintain online gradebooks, and allows students to submit assignments, complete quizzes, participate in online discussions and more.
Adobe Creative Cloud Is a creative platform that ranges from beginner software applications to more advanced software for creative projects like graphic design, photo editing, video & podcast creation, web design and more. Users can quickly understand how to create projects using Adobe Express, Premiere Rush, Photoshop Express, Acrobat, and many more. For more advanced projects users can use Photoshop, Illustrator, or XD to name a few.
Fresno State is an official Adobe Creative Campus which means students get the Adobe Suite for free and Staff and Faculty get it at a robust discount. Click the button below to learn more about the Adobe Creative Campus program and how to claim your account.
Apporto allows Fresno State to provide Windows, Linux, and Macintosh based software on any device at any time, with a near-native user experience. A student can start working on a project on a Windows computer, continue on an iPad, monitor progress on an Android smartphone and finish the project on a Macbook -- without missing a beat.
Resources can be found at http://fresnostate.edu/apporto.
Digital badges are becoming widely used as a representation of an accomplishment or skill in a specific area. When used intentionally, they can be an effective way to engage students and are often showcased on resumes or shared on social media as valid recognition to document achievement
View badges issued by the Office of IDEAS
The Canvas Credentials badging platform (formerly Badgr) allows instructors can create and issue digital badges directly from their Canvas courses.
Fresno State is a Google Campus and students have access to additional memory within the Google Suite: Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, Sites, and more. Facilitate activities, papers, and presentations in class and take advantage of Canvas’ Google LTI for easier submission.
Faculty can book a consultation with an Instructional Designer (ID) to learn about how to integrate the Google Suite in the classroom.
Fresno State has chosen iClicker as the university supported student response system. TopHat is not supported on campus.
Fresno State's use of iClicker supports the California State Student Association (CSSA) Resolution Calling for the Standardization of Student Response Systems (CSU Resolution AS-3007-11/AA/FGA (Rev))
- Current practices frequently require students to purchase multiple devices that many times are used for one class and then not used again.
- Standardization of such devices on individual campuses would serve to reduce student costs while improving Information Technology support services to students.
Instructors:
- Contact the Kennel Bookstore to let them know you will be using them.
- Go to iclicker.com and download iClicker Cloud. You can also download the iClicker Cloud app for instructors.
- Create your iClicker Cloud account.
- Decide if you will allow clickers only, mobile devices only, or a combination in your course.
- Pick up an iClicker BASE from the Office of IDEAS (UL2133) if you are allowing students to use clickers to respond.
- Students will also need to create an iClicker Cloud account.
- Create your courses at iClicker and link them to your Canvas course.
Students:
Using a clicker: Purchase or acquire a clicker device and create a FREE iClicker account to register your device using your Fresno State email address.
Using the mobile app: You may use a smartphone (download the iClicker Student app and create your account) or a laptop (go to iclicker.com and create an account). There is a two week free trial period after which the app is $15.99 per 6 months or $24.99 for a year access.
- Getting Started with the iClicker Student App
- How to use iClicker’s Study Tools
- iClicker Student Support
Contact the Academic Technology Resource Center if you need assistance.
Resources and Articles:
- Educause - Clickers in the Classroom: Transforming Students into Active Learners
- Vanderbilt University's Center for Teaching: http://cft.vanderbilt.edu/teaching-guides/technology/clickers/
- Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at University of British Columbia: http://www.cwsei.ubc.ca/resources/clickers.htm
The California State University System has partnered with with Labster to help provide universities in its system with access to virtual lab simulations.
RESOURCES
California State University System page
Instructions on how to download and import the simulations into Canvas
- Step 1: How to download Common Cartridges from our Faculty Resource page
- Step 2: How to import Labster Common Cartridges into Canvas
Support & Help
Panopto is an online video platform, integrated with Canvas and Zoom, to easily create, host, search, share, and stream videos. Panopto replaced the Fresno State Streaming Server.
To access your Panopto account you can login through the Panopto video link in the Course menu on Canvas, or by visiting the Fresno State Panopto site directly at the link below. If you are asked to login, click the drop-down menu and select Fresno State SSO.
Learn how to securely share Zoom recordings in Canvas using Panopto.
Getting Started with Panopto
The videos below will give you a basic understanding of using Panopto. To explore further, review the videos in the Panopto "How to... " video library, bookmark the Panopto Community Support site, or view the Panopto section in the Faculty Toolbox on Canvas.
Getting Started with Panopto in Canvas
How to Use Panopto With Canvas (running time 29:40)
How to Record a Video Using Panopto (4:27)
How to Create a Video Using Panopto Capture (browser-based recorder) (5:16)
How to Trim a Video in the Editor (4:44)
How to Embed a Panopto Video Into a Canvas Course (2:39)
How to Use a Panopto Quiz as a Canvas Assignment (3:22)
How to Allow Students to Record Videos Using Assignment Folders (2:57)
How to Navigate the Viewer (4:29)
How to Search Inside a Video (1:21)
How to Use the Panopto Mobile App (7:34)
Panopto's Default Archive Retention Policy
Panopto's content retention policy is that any video that has not been viewed in thirteen months will automatically be archived. The process runs twice per month. Archived videos are not available for immediate viewing, but all users can restore a video. Restoration of an archived video can take up to 48 hours. Once the video is restored, the user who initiated the request will receive an email alert with a link to view the video in the interactive viewer.
Qualtrics (http://www.qualtrics.com) is a powerful survey tool with over 100 question types and allows for skip, display and branching logic.
To setup your Fresno State Qualtrics account contact JoLynne Blake (jblake@mail.fresnostate.edu) or visit the Office of Institutional Effectiveness (OIE) website for additional information.
Respondus LockDown Browser™ is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment within Canvas. When students use Respondus LockDown Browser they are unable to print, copy, go to another URL, or access other applications. When an assessment is started, students are locked into it until they submit it for grading. Available for Windows, Macs and iPads.
Instructor Quick Start Guide (Classic Quizzes)
Instructor Quick Start Guide (New Quizzes)
Student Quick Start Guide (Classic Quizzes)
Student Quick Start Guide (New Quizzes)
Installation Instructions for Fresno State Students
Respondus Lockdown Browser uses a standard Windows or Mac installer that can be downloaded
by faculty or students from the following link that is unique to Fresno State users:
Download Respondus Browser.
Zoom, Fresno State's video and web conferencing tool, is available to all faculty, staff, and students. Zoom allows for video, audio, and screen sharing capability for up to 300 participants. It can be used from any computer, laptop, tablet, or phone, and it works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices. Zoom also works with rooms equipped for video conferencing such as Polycom, etc. Any Fresno State user can initiate a video or audio meeting, allowing Zoom to be used for any online meeting. Anyone in the world can join a Zoom meeting, but only a host can start/schedule meetings.
Webinar capabilities are also available for up to 3000 participants. If interested in hosting a webinar, please contact the Service Desk at 278-5000.
Access the Zoom platform by using your Fresno State username and password at fresnostate.zoom.us.
Zoom Help
- Zoom at Fresno State Guide (including Best Practices)
- Securely share Zoom recordings in Canvas using Panopto
- Zoom Videos
- Download and install Zoom. Check for updates regularly to be sure you have the latest version.
There is so much technology available to integrate in your course. While we do not have campus support and resources for all of them, we still love to help you effectively integrate them in your course. Here is a short list of software faculty are using in their courses, some of which have Canvas integrations.
Canvas Integrated
- ALEKS HE Math
- Cengage
- IA Bookshelf
- Macmillan Learning
- McGraw-Hill Connect
- Packback
- Pearson
- Perusall
- W.W. Norton Learning
- Wiley Course Resources
Other Active Learning Apps (Formative Assessment)
- Benchling Lab Notebook
- Genially
- Miro
- Padlet
- Perusall
- Poll Everywhere
- Wakelet