Montana State University has five course delivery modalities: face-to-face, internet or online, video conferencing and blended. You can find descriptions for each modality on the Office of the Registrar's website.

Video Conferencing Lectures (synchronous, real-time, live) 

WebEx

WebEx is available for conducting live class sessions and can be accessed by all students and faculty. To make WebEx live synchronous class sessions go smoothly and be more effective for your student's online learning, follow these tips and strategies:

  • Schedule these synchronous live sessions during the days and times when you would have met for the course.
  • Record the session and post a link for students who can't make it.
  • Run a test session to ensure that WebEx runs properly on your computer and to become familiar with its tools and features.
  • Connectivity problems can happen. If students are experiencing difficulties, let them know it's okay, and they should rejoin when possible.
  • Use a microphone or headset. These tools' audio quality is typically better than your computer's built-in options.
  • Control background noise. Ask your students to stay muted unless they are going to speak. Encourage students to use earbuds or headphones and refrain from typing unless they are muted. Instructors can also mute all participants. NOTE: Due to campus-based emergency circumstances, students may not always be able to find quiet space and control interruptions by roommates, spouses, children and pets.
  • Consider using WebEx's Chat feature or keeping the video feed off. This frees internet bandwidth, allowing students to listen without worrying about their appearance.
  • For synchronous (real-time) video conferencing sessions, be aware that students have invited you into their home. Please practice respect and understanding.

Visit MSU's WebEx website to get started with WebEx.

See the Classroom Lecture Technology page to use WebEx in an MSU centrally managed classroom.

For assistance with WebEx: helpdesk@montana.edu or 406-994-1777.

Online Lectures (recorded, asynchronous)

Panopto

Panopto is a basic lecture capture software for recording screens and narrating over a PowerPoint, document, image or website using a device’s microphone. You can edit and upload Panopto-produced recordings to a Brightspace/D2L course for your students to view.

To create effective recorded lectures for your student’s online learning, follow these tips and best practices:

  • Length: Provide short mini-lectures that are 5-15 minutes long. Aim for bite-sized chunks of information that target one or two pieces of content at a time. Students are less likely to watch a 45+ minute recording online. You can break up longer lectures into parts where you introduce new topics or concepts, i.e., Part I: Concept A, Part II: Concept B.
  • Composition: Avoid including large amounts of text on a screen that students will have to read while listening to audio. Audio narration over images and a few keywords or bullet points is more effective when learning with recorded lectures.
  • Tone: Try to communicate in an informal, personalized way. Research suggests students are less likely to pay attention when instructors use a more formal, robotic style.

How to Embed a Panopto Video in D2L/Brightspace.

See the Classroom Lecture Technology page to use Panopto in an MSU centrally managed classroom.

For assistance with Panopto, contact Carter Dorsett at MSU Academic Technology and Outreach at carter.dorsett@montana.edu or 406-994-6812.

Teaching, Learning and Technology (TLT) Studio

The TLT Studio is available to all faculty interested in developing additional digital course materials. The TLT Studio offers access to a small lecture capture recording suite. The studio provides a contained space with computing and recording equipment for developing video and audio content through Panopto and other tools.

Additionally, the TLT Studio hosts the LearningGlass, where instructors can create high-quality videos that record directly to a personal USB storage device with a single button push. Visit the TLT Studio website to view example videos made with the LearningGlass.

You can check availability and request time in the studio here

For assistance with the TLT Studio, contact Carter Dorsett at MSU Academic Technology and Outreach at carter.dorsett@montana.edu or 406-994-6812.