1. If you are not using CTools, e-mail and a class listserv will be the easiest tools for presenting information and interacting with students.
Using a class listserv you can
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Send students your lectures or PowerPoint slides.
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Send students reading questions, readings, and assignments.
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Receive student work as attachments (e.g., papers and problem sets).
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Receive and answer student questions.
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Send students questions for discussion.
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Organize class discussions (See Tips for Teaching Online ).
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For tests and exams, you need to set a specific start and end time, and e-mail the test/exam to students together with information about academic integrity .
2. If you are not using CTools and want to explore its functions, read the following:
3. If you are using CTools, it is useful for presenting information and offers more options for further engaging students in learning:
Using CTools you can
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Post lecture materials in the “Resources” section, using a folder for each class meeting date.
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Use the “Announcements” tool to keep students informed (e.g., about deadlines).
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Use “Resources” to post course syllabus, readings, images, videos, and links to other materials/resources.
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Use “Assignments” to post assignments in chronological order so students can catch up.
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Use “Discussion” or “Forum” to post topics or questions for discussion and have students respond to the topic and to each other.
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Use “Drop Box” where students submit their work and you can return graded work.
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Use “Gradebook” to keep track of students’ grades.
Other useful CTools functions include the following, but be aware that they may be suspended during times of high network use:
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Use “Chat” to lead real-time discussions with students online or to hold virtual office hours.
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Use “Test Center” to create quizzes/tests to assess student learning. (CTools Help )
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