Digital media are a key resource in teaching activities. Leibniz University Hannover offers numerous tools and methods that can be utilised to transfer teaching activities to effective online formats. This website provides an overview of digital media available for online teaching activities. Please familiarise yourself with these tools, ask questions and make use of our support services. Exchanging creative and innovative ideas will enable us to provide successful teaching and learning formats.
Online instead of Face-to-Face – Foundations
- How can I implement digital teaching formats?
- What tools are available for teaching staff to provide online courses?
- What requirements must be observed?
This website aims to provide answers to these and other important questions regarding online teaching activities including various information, tips and services for teaching staff, which will be expanded step by step.
Synchronous or asynchronous formats? The following includes information on synchronous and asynchronous tools that facilitate working and communicating online. Some tools can be utilised in both variants.
As a rule, we recommend using asynchronous tools in larger groups in order to facilitate coordination as well as to prevent network or server disruptions.
Please use the latest version of the antivirus software provided by LUIS (www.luis.uni-hannover.de/de/services/it-sicherheit/antivirensoftware, in German) and make sure that you only use the ZQS/elsa links provided on this website.
Other tools may be used at the risk of the respective facility or institute. Please also consider possible issues that may arise with regard to liability law in the case of complaints or violations, especially violations of data protection regulations.
Online Teaching Activities
1. Asynchronous online courses – presenting content
Formats: lectures, seminars, etc.
Conventional lectures focus on presenting content (presentations, handouts, scientific texts etc.). Depending on requirements, providing asynchronous content in various online formats can be realised quite easily. In addition, asynchronous feedback elements may be incorporated.
The programmes listed below include selected tools for recording content. Information on this will be updated regularly.
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Text-based documents (presentations, etc.)
Please use the Stud.IP file storage to share downloadable files in various formats.
Tools and tutorials
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Adding audio files
Audio recordings can be used to explain or describe course content acoustically. Students can use audio recordings in addition to content provided in Stud.IP.
Tools and tutorials
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Recording videos while working from home
Recording videos while working from home enables teaching staff to provide students with course content via the LUH distribution platform flowcasts – irrespective of time or location.
Video content should be presented in a concise manner (approximately 15 minutes per video).
Tools and tutorials
Sharing/publishing videos
The ZQS/elsa platform “flowcasts” enables teaching staff to provide students with video content in a straightforward manner. Video content can be uploaded, organised or shared with students in the Stud.IP course via the plugin labelled “Aufzeichnungen”.
Tools and tutorials
Creating/recording videos
Other tools for preparing/recording videos:
In addition to the tools listed above, other software providers offer tools for recording video, audio and screen content. Some tools are subject to a fee. The following list includes selected tools and will be updated on a regular basis. Please note that these are suggestions for which we cannot offer support.
Camtasia: screen recording and post-editing software, subject to a fee (WIN/macOS).
Screencast-O-matic: screen recording and post-editing software, subject to a fee. Trial version available for recordings with a maximum duration of 15 minutes (WIN/macOS).
OpenShot: free video editing software (WIN/Linux/macOS).
Kdenlive: free video editing software (WIN/Linux).
xBox App: free software for recording screen content (WIN). -
Recording videos on campus
We are currently in the process of developing options for recording video content on the campus of Leibniz University Hannover. Sessions will be organised by ZQS/elsa. Members of teaching staff will be able to present course content in a recording room while being filmed.
Subsequently, the finished video will be published in the respective Stud.IP course. In light of the current situation and the dynamic nature of the pandemic, this service will be available at a later point.
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Feedback in asynchronous scenarios via the forum
The Stud.IP forum is an ideal feedback channel in asynchronous settings. Please convey this to your students and utilise forum features such as thematic threads. Questions regarding organisation or technology can also be discussed via the forum. Online discussions within the scope of the forum should be moderated. In addition, it may be useful to prepare and document a forum etiquette.
Tools and tutorials
2. Synchronous online courses – discussing content
Formats: lectures, seminars, etc.
Synchronous online courses are conducted via video conferencing systems. Various functions are available depending on the tool. Online courses can be held in groups ranging in size.
The available internet bandwidth may present some limitations. High usage rates can be expected for the upcoming semester. It is therefore advised that this format is only used if synchronous communication is especially important.
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Synchronous online course (teaching from home)
BigBlueButton in Stud.IP
BigBlueButton can be used to host online courses or virtual classrooms in Stud.IP. Users can participate and interact live using a headset and webcam. In addition to sharing video and audio, BigBlueButton also has a chat function, whiteboard, a function to share presentations (e.g. PowerPoint) as well as sharing your screen, allowing participants to follow along.
Please note: online courses are currently limited to 100 participants. Please take special note of our guidelines for large groups (lectures, etc.) as well as the tips and information in our PDF tutorial.
External video conferencing systems
Additional, externally hosted video conferencing tools are available via LUIS for exchange between staff. However, these are not primarily intended for teaching. Here too, users can connect and interact live via video and audio.
Please note: external services such as Zoom, FaceTime, HanGOuts, Whatsapp, Microsoft Teams, etc. are currently not centrally approved. These services do not comply with the data protection measures of Leibniz University Hannover and are thus not recommended.
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Guidelines for large lecture-style groups
Online presentations for large lecture-style groups can be held synchronously or asynchronously. In general, we recommend using asynchronous tools in larger groups in order to facilitate coordination as well as to prevent network or server disruptions. This reduces the risk of individual students encountering connection problems and missing content.
For larger groups it is therefore preferable to use recordings via flowcasts that students can access at different times. Suitable tools for this are explained in more detail in section 1 “Recording videos while working from home”.
Suitable tools for synchronous online courses, which enable students to participate live and interact are presented in this section under the heading “Synchronous online courses while working from home”.
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Guidelines for small seminar-style groups
Synchronous online courses are a good option for small seminar-style groups. Audio and/or video can be shared with individuals or all participants. Depending on the tool, it is possible to share your screen, mutually edit texts or work as a group.
Possible limitations:
- Participants require sufficient internet bandwidth
- Participants require functioning audio and/or video capabilities
- Good presentation necessary
3. Asynchronous work: course content, assignments and tests
Formats: lectures, seminars, practical sessions, etc.
Understanding the content is essential for learning. Online, this can be achieved, for example, through assignments or tests during the semester.
The possibilities of use range vastly, including providing solutions to tasks in various different file formats or in text-form via a forum (e.g. exchange of comments by peers), as well as compiling comments on content (i.e. link lists) in a wiki or forum and tests during the semester.
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Folder for submitting assignments
In order to enable work to be submitted in different formats, the folder for independent assignments can be used in Stud.IP. The folder is like a postbox where files can be submitted.
Tools
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Wiki and forums as an alternative tool for setting assignments
A wiki consists of HTML pages that can be linked to each other and freely edited. This makes it suitable for a variety of uses, such as compiling information or cooperative work on texts. All course participants can create, edit and delete texts. Further features include version control, attribution of changes to the respective author, quick link lists for navigation, insertion of images.
The forum can be used to discuss questions, opinions and experiences. Contributions can be followed, exported, added to your favourites and edited.
Tools
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Tests during the semester
In Stud.IP, tests can be created via an interface in ILIAS and provided directly in Stud.IP courses via the ILIAS tab. The ILIAS test tool features a wide range of question formats that can be automatically evaluated as well as numerous options regarding settings (access, evaluating and revealing solutions, individual feedback, etc.). It is also possible to use question pools. Conducting tests during the semester can provide both teaching staff and students with regular feedback on learning progress and encourage further exploration of the material.
Tools and tutorials
4. Facilitating synchronous and/or asynchronous group work
Formats: seminars, practical sessions, meetings, individual queries
Working and communicating in small groups can be realised in many forms. Communication is a vital part of learning processes as well as in organisational procedures or supervision of students. In some cases, it may be useful to combine different tools, such as communicating via a video conferencing tool while editing texts in OnlyOffice.
Many free tools that may be useful but cannot be described within the scope of this website have been compiled by the student initiative “MELT-Community” (in German).
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Providing virtual consultations or advisory services
Consultations can be organised and booked via your Stud.IP profile. We recommend using the video conferencing systems Jitsi Meet and WebEx Meetings for the virtual talks.
Tools and tutorials
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Organising group work
Group work can be organised via the Stud.IP group feature. Key functionalities include adding participants manually or automatically, creating group files, or limiting the number of participants.
Tools
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Creating and editing texts in groups
Texts can be created and edited in groups irrespective of location. We recommend using both the Stud.IP wiki and the forum. The main text can be edited via the wiki feature, discussions and organisational tasks may take place in the forum. The authors may communicate and provide feedback via a video conferencing tool.
Via OnlyOffice authors can edit texts simultaneously allowing participants to follow along live. In addition, the tool includes a chat and comment feature.
Tools and tutorials
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Discussing texts
Texts can be discussed both synchronously and asynchronously. For asynchronous work, we recommend uploading texts to Stud.IP. Discussions may be held via the forum or wiki of the respective Stud.IP course.
If participants share their screen, allowing other participants to follow along, synchronous discussions may be held via video conferencing tools. Further information can be found in section 2 (synchronous online courses) on this website. In addition, texts can be uploaded to Stud.IP, discussions may be held via video/audio conferences.
Tools and tutorials
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Facilitating independent study groups
Study groups in Stud.IP can be established by all Stud.IP users, including students. Stud.IP provides many tools that are utilised in conventional courses.
Tools
Contact Information and Support
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