Teaching can be disrupted by events and unforeseen circumstances such as severe weather, natural disasters, or public health concerns. If VSU’s physical campus closes and/or face-to-face classes are canceled unexpectedly for an extended duration, then faculty might be asked to develop alternatives to standard classes by teaching remotely and maintaining instructional continuity online.

We know that suddenly teaching a class online is daunting. However, if your class is capable of moving to an online format, then this website provides basic information, strategies, and resources for using VSU's BlazeVIEW learning management system. 

For assistance, e-mail blazeview@valdosta.edu, call (229) 245-6490, or fill out the eLearning Contact Form. Faculty can also call the D2L Help Center 24-hours a day for troubleshooting (1-855-772-0423).

Listed here are key trainings for VSU faculty in BlazeVIEW along with University System of Georgia (USG) resources for rapidly moving courses online:   

  • BlazeVIEW 101 (All VSU faculty are enrolled in this depository of resources on using BlazeVIEW and teaching online, including an "Ask the Expert" discussion forum for pedagogical support from peer faculty experts, strategies for high-impact practices online such as virtual science labs and studios, and ideas for mobile assignments that students submit via cell phones)
  • Emergency Guide to Teaching Online (All VSU faculty are enrolled in this 2-3+ hour emergency training course in BlazeVIEW that was developed by USG eCampus)
  • Keep Teaching USG (website with resources and contacts for USG faculty to prepare for a transition to online instruction) 

All students at VSU have also been enrolled in a VSU BlazeVIEW Student Tutorial to help them get acclimated to learning online. Additionally, USG's eCampus has this Quick Start Guide to Online Learning for Students and students should check out the Keep Learning USG website. A BlazeVIEW Student Guide module is available for instructors to import into any course. The guide is designed to assist students having difficulty using BlazeVIEW’s tools and resources by providing students with direct access to videos and step-by-step instructions.

Finally, see VSU's IT resources and tools to Work/Teach/Learn at Home, VSU Employee Wellness Resources During COVID-19, and Odum Library's Continuity of Services. 

GETTING STARTED WITH BLAZEVIEW

COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENTS

PRESENTING CONTENT TO STUDENTS

ASSESSING STUDENT WORK

QUIZZES & EXAMS

  • Creating a Quiz
  • Respondus LockDown Browser (Lockdown of student's web browser to prevent academic dishonesty when taking tests online; Respondus LockDown Browser does not work with all devices such as Chromebooks, tablets, or smartphones so faculty should provide assessment alternatives to students)
  • Respondus Monitor (Available as an add-in to LockDown Browser to use as a proctoring tool for high-stakes exams. In addition to the LockDown Browser supported devices, Respondus Monitor requires a webcam, microphone, and reliable broadband internet connection.) 
  • Faculty Guidelines and Best Practices for Proctored Exams (Includes Respondus Monitor Tips, Instructor Resources, Student Resources, Best Practices, and Sample Syllabus Statement)
  • Student Guide:  This guide, created by the Center for eLearning contains information to guide students when installing and using Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor
  • Alternatives to Proctored Exams (proctoring online tools such as LockDown Browser and Monitor do not work with all devices so faculty should provide assessment alternatives to students)

ASSIGNMENTS

GRADEBOOK SET-UP

GRADING & FEEDBACK