As we enter into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can make our online teaching practices more efficient, effective, and enjoyable. Just as we make personal resolutions for the new year, let’s focus on setting professional goals that streamline our online teaching workflows. Here are some resolutions to help you get started:
1. Embrace Time-Saving Tools
One of the best resolutions for 2025 is to explore digital tools that can save you time and reduce stress. In Canvas, you can integrate automated grading systems like quizzes with auto-feedback, reducing the time spent on manual grading. Additionally, the Canvas SpeedGrader tool allows you to efficiently grade assignments, provide personalized feedback, and track student progress all in one place. These tools can help you streamline grading and feedback, freeing up more time for student support and course development.
2. Simplify Course Management
This year, make it a goal to streamline your course management. Organize your course content into easy-to-navigate modules with clear, concise instructions. Regularly check your course materials for updates and remove outdated content, so students aren’t left wondering what’s current. If you haven’t already, adopting course templates can save you hours in design and planning.
3. Focus on Student Engagement
The new year is the perfect time to improve your online student engagement strategies. Set a resolution to experiment with new tools that foster interactivity, such as discussion posts, live polls, and interactive assignments. Use video feedback to make your comments feel more personal, and consider incorporating asynchronous or synchronous office hours to provide additional support.
4. Prioritize Accessibility
In 2025, let accessibility be one of your main resolutions. Make sure your course is accessible to all students by utilizing features like captions, screen reader compatibility, and alt text for images. Review your course materials and ensure that they meet accessibility guidelines, and try to incorporate more inclusive content to cater to diverse learning needs.
5. Stay Up to Date on Technology
Technology changes rapidly, so staying informed about new tools and trends is key to effective online teaching. Resolve to keep up with the latest educational technologies—whether it’s new learning management system (LMS) features, instructional design practices, or accessibility tools. Attend webinars, follow relevant blogs, and explore new applications that can enhance both your teaching and your students’ learning experiences.
Overall, the start of a new year is an exciting opportunity to set new goals and make positive changes in your teaching approach. By focusing on streamlining your workflows, embracing time-saving tools, and staying committed to accessibility and engagement, you can make 2025 your most efficient and rewarding year of online teaching yet!
Upcoming Events
Canvas Jumpstart Series
This two-day training series will cover Canvas basics, course organization, and introduce you to useful tools available at Clemson. Led by our Digital Learning Strategists and Learning Technology Specialists, Canvas Jumpstart will help prepare your tech and your course for the spring semester!
Click here to register for individual sessions or the entire series. All sessions will be held over Zoom and Zoom recordings will be sent out to all who register. Learn more about each day below!
January 3rd, 2025
Canvas Jumpstart Series – Day 1 (Canvas Basics)
Building an effective Canvas site is easier than you think! Day 1 will cover getting started with Canvas, including:
- Introduction to Clemson Online Services and Resources
- Getting Started with Canvas Navigation
- The Rich Content Editor and Canvas Building Basic
- Creating a Welcoming Canvas Home Page
- Building a Getting Started Module
January 7th, 2025
Canvas Jumpstart Series – Day 2 (Building in Canvas and Canvas Tools)
Day 2 of our Canvas Jumpstart Series will help you organize your course materials using Canvas tools and sound pedagogical principles. We will cover effective course organization and navigation from the instructor and learner perspective. We will cover:
- Creating Modules and Building Course Content
- Organizing Your Canvas Modules
- Zoom and Canvas
- Kaltura Video Basics
- Intro to Academic Integrity Tools in Canvas
January 8th and 9th, 2025
Drop-in Support with Clemson Online
In addition to our Canvas Jumpstart Series, our Digital Learning Strategists and Learning Tech Specialists will be hosting virtual “drop-in hours” on January 8th from 10 am-12 pm and 9th from 1-3 pm to answer your specific Canvas questions. You must be logged into Zoom with your Clemson email to join the “drop-in” session, but no registration is required. Click here to join via Zoom!
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions about our Canvas Jumpstart Series.
Clemson Online Fall 2024 Events Calendar
Review our Fall 2024 Events Calendar to see what Online Instruction Development opportunities await!
We have a robust lineup of topics and live training formats to support your use of Canvas and other e-learning tools. Topics cover demonstrations of using Kaltura, engaging your students, and workshops to get your Canvas site ready to teach!
All of our live training is recorded. Registrants will automatically receive a link to that day’s video after it has been processed.
Contact Millie Tullis with any questions regarding these sessions.
Clemson Online – Where Tech and Teaching Meet
