Facilitating Online Courses: Know Your Tools & Technology

When creating an online course, the online system you're using can set the tone for your course. That is why it's important for you to familiarize yourself with your specific Learning Management System (LMS). For my school, that will mostly be Sapphire, while some others have chosen to use Google Classroom.

There are many other popular options (Canvas, Schoology, BlackBoard, Desire2Learn, etc.). And even though it is great that many of these platforms are offering free access to schools displaced by the COVID-19 epidemic, it is important for students and parents to be comfortable with the LMS. It should be consistent within a school or district so that students aren't trying to log into 3 different sites to access information from their different teachers. If possible, it should be something that students have had training (or at least exposure to) prior to closing. We're all learning new skills right now; if it isn't necessary to add more then it should be avoided.

First, let's define an LMS.
An LMS system is a software tool for delivering a course online.

• An LMS system can handle multiple courses, handling things such as creating course shells, managing enrollments, assigning permissions and much more. 
• Most LMS systems also have some kind of lesson building tools available. 
• LMS systems also have communication tools, such as discussions, e-mails or chats. 
• An LMS system provides assessment options for the learner to be assessed and or to self assess. 
• There are different technology tools that you can seamlessly use with most LMS systems such as Word, Powerpoints and PDFs. You can upload visual elements like pictures or media components, like a video, and finally, you can simply create links to other Websites you deem relevant. Once you understand the functionality of your specific LMS system, you can begin the process of creating and delivering your online class.

With Sapphire you can create discussion boards and assignment dropboxes for your students. You can also upload files (PDFs are preferred because they can be read across multiple devices), and share links to other websites and YouTube videos.

One thing to keep in mind is that any file that is loaded into Google Drive is given a unique website address (URL) that can be shared as a link on your Sapphire class page. This YouTube video will show you how to take a link and share it with your students through your Sapphire class page.

Unfortunately, Sapphire does not have a built-in video player. So if you create your own videos, you’ll need to upload to a site like YouTube first, and then share the link to your students on Sapphire.

Summary

You know the content that you want to share with your students. Before you start planning online lessons, it is important to understand the functionality of the LMS you are using (either Sapphire or Google Classroom). Once you know what is possible, it will help you with the next step of creating class materials and assignments.