Empowering Your Teaching. Supporting Your Success.

Thank you for using the Zoom video conferencing platform at UAB. Please see Zoom information and resources specific to UAB below.

Students may be required to have specific equipment, software, internet access or digital literacy skills in order to be successful in their coursework. Click the buttons below to learn about each area of technology that may be required. Check your course syllabus or contact your instructor about any specific requirements for your course.

Equipment

• Required:
  • Computer
  • Speakers/Headphones
• Possibly Required:
  • Webcam
  • Microphone

See the computer requirements and recommendations specific to your College/School opens a new website.

Internet Access

Internet Speed

A high-speed internet connection is recommended to ensure that you can access all of the course materials and resources, particularly large file sizes as with streaming video.

• A minimum of 512 Kbps (Kilobytes per second) is required to navigate Canvas.
• If other technologies are utilized such as streaming video or video conferencing (Zoom, Teams, etc.) 1.5 Mbps (Megabytes per second) or greater is required.
• 25 Mbps or greater is recommended for for HD video streaming, web browsing, and collaboration.

Check your internet connection Opens an external link.

Web Browsers

It is highly recommended that Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is used to access Canvas and other technologies.

See full list of supported browsersOpens an external link.

Learning Technology

The technologies listed below are the most common technologies that may be used in your course. The links below to open pages containing tutorials, technical support information, and accessibility and privacy statements.

For information and guides on more of UAB's learning technologies, visit UAB's Learning Technologies page.

Minimum Technical and Digital Literacy Skills

To be successful in this online course, students should be able to perform the following tasks.

Technical Skills

• Use a keyboard and mouse
• Save, open, edit, and locate various file types on your computer (docx, pdf, excel, etc.)
• Open, create, send, and reply to Blazer email using Inbox in Canvas
• Attach/Upload and download various files (docx, pdf, excel, etc.)
• Click on and open hyperlinks
• Navigate the Internet
• Navigate the Canvas course environment
• Download and utilize software and/or plug-ins as specified by your instructor

Digital Literacy Skills

• Use UAB's online library and database resources to conduct research
• Use Microsoft Office 365 to store and retrieve files
• Conduct online searches to locate specific information for academic use
• Properly cite sources
• Communicate research findings in online environments

Learn about university policies. For additional UAB policies, visit One Stop Student Services: Policies opens a new website.

• Disability Support Services
• Title IX
• Academic Integrity Code
• Academic Policies
• Student Conduct Code
• Student Handbook

Disability Support Services (DSS)

DSS Accessibility Statement

Accessible Learning

UAB is committed to providing an accessible learning experience for all students. If you are a student with a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and/or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and you require accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services for information on accommodations, registration and procedures. Requests for reasonable accommodations involve an interactive process and consist of a collaborative effort among the student, DSS, faculty and staff.

If you are registered with Disability Support Services, please contact your instructor to discuss accommodations that may be necessary in this course. If you have a disability but have not contacted Disability Support Services, please call (205) 934-4205 or visit the UAB DSS website opens a new website or Hill Student Center Suite 409.

Other DSS Resources

View the DSS Documentation GuidelinesOpens an external link.

DSS Contact Information

• Phone (Voice): (205) 934-4205
• TDD: (205) 934-4248
• Fax: (205) 934-8170
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Examples of Qualifying Disabilities May Include

• ADHD and Learning Disabilities
• Mobility Impairments
• Sensory Impairments
• Medical Disabilities (migraines, diabetes, etc.)
• Psychiatric Disorders (anxiety, depression, etc.)
• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Temporary Impairments

Title IX

Title IX Statement

Read UAB's Equal Opportunity Statement opens a new website for more information.

Title IX Contact Information

• Title IX Coordinator: Kasey Thomas, JD
• Office: Administration Building 330
• Phone: (205) 996-1340
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Academic Integrity Code

The purpose of the Academic Integrity Code opens a new website is to support our academic mission and to maintain and promote academic integrity. All students in attendance at UAB are expected to pursue all academic endeavors with integrity, honor, and professionalism and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars.

Academic Policies

Student Conduct Code

The purpose of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (“University”) student conduct process is to support the vision, mission, and shared values of the University and the tenets of the University’s creed, The Blazer Way. Through a student-focused and learning-centered lens, the process strives to uphold individual and community standards; foster an environment of personal accountability for decisions; promote personal growth and development of life skills; and care for the well-being, health, safety, and property of all members of the University community.

The Student Conduct Code opens a new website (“Code”) describes the standards of behavior for all students and student organizations and outlines students’ rights and the process for adjudicating alleged violations. It is set forth in writing in order to give general notice of non-academic prohibited conduct. The Code should be read broadly and is not designed to define non-academic conduct in exhaustive terms. All students and student organizations are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Code. The current version of the Code, which may be revised periodically, is available from the Office of Student Conduct & Outreach or online.

Student Handbook

The Student Handbook opens a new website offers the University community information about a number of resources, services, policies, and procedures.

Welcome! This template has been provided in your sandbox to assist with preparing your course. Please follow the instructions below to customize your course. You may also reach out for assistance from an Instructional Designer.

Step 1 - Customize Modules

1. Go to the Modules tab in the course menu. Tip: You can right click Modules and open in a new tab or window to avoid leaving this page completely.
2. On the Modules page, you will see a Faculty Resources module (do not publish), a Start Here module, a UAB Policies and Resources module, and 1 content or weekly modules.
3. Review each page in the Start Here module. Click Edit and use the Rich Content Editor opens a new website to update content on the pages as needed.
   Note: You will not be able to edit the Tips for Online Success or the Netiquette activity. If these do not apply to your course, you can unpublish or remove opens a new website them.
4. There is one content module named Module 1.
   • Each page, assignment, discussion, and quiz within Module 1 contains sample criteria highlighted in yellow relevant to the Canvas assignment or content type. These serve as examples and can be edited or deleted as needed.
   • Duplicate Module 1 opens a new website to create the number of modules needed for the course.
   • Update the pages in each module.
5. Change the names of the modules opens a new website if desired.
6. Add assignments, discussions, and/or quizzes opens a new website to the associated module and include the due date for each assignment opens a new website, discussion opens a new website, and/or quiz opens a new website. You can also edit dates in bulk opens a new website.
7. Publish modules and items within modules opens a new website when they should be visible to students and lock them until the desired.

Step 2 - Customize the Syllabus

Option 1: Simple Syllabus Tool (Preferred)

1. In the course menu, click on Settings. Select Navigate.
2. Move either Simple Syllabus or Simple Syllabi to the top list. Use Simple Syllabi when you have a cross-listed(merged) Canvas course that needs to show syllabi based on section enrollment. Otherwise use Simple Syllabus. Move Syllabus to the bottom list. Save.
3. After you import your Sandbox content into your academic course, go to Simple Syllabus in the menu. You will not be able to edit it in the sandbox.
4. Edit your syllabus. View the UAB Simple Syllabus webpage for guides.

Option 2: Canvas Syllabus Tool with Word Document

1. Download the UAB Syllabus Template.
   • Go to your Downloads folder on your computer to find the document.
   • After opening the document, you may have to click on Enable Editing at the top of the document.
   • Update the syllabus document and save it to your computer.
2. On the Syllabus tab in your course in Canvas, select Edit.
3. Highlight the text "View full version of the syllabus" and hyperlink your syllabus document.
4. Update the content in the textbox. Click Save at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3 - Customize the Template Homepage

1. Go to the Pages tab in the course menu.
2. Click View All Pages on the top left.
3. Locate and click Template Homepage or eLearning Homepage from the list.
4. If using Simple Syllabus, edit the Syllabus button on the homepage.
   • Click on the Syllabus button and select Link Options.
   • In the pop-out on the right, you will see the link. Click in that box with the link and use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor to be before the word Assignments.
   • Delete “assignments/syllabus” and add “external_tools/139159” in that field. Save. The text of external_tools/139159 is what you will use for any course. That number is specific to Simple Syllabus and not specific to a course.
5. After making all edits, click Save at the bottom.
6. Click the three dots on the far right and click Use as Front Page to set this as your course homepage.

Step 4 - Import Sandbox Course into Another Course

1. When you are ready to copy the content from this sandbox to another course, go to the destination course.
2. Follow the Course Import Tool Guide opens a new website.

Welcome! We are glad you are using the UAB Canvas Course Template. Please follow the below instructions to customize your course. You may also reach out for assistance from an Instructional Designer.

Step 1 - Customize Modules

1. Go to the Modules tab in the course menu. Tip: You can right click Modules and open in a new tab or window to avoid leaving this page completely.
2. On the Modules page, you will see a Faculty Resources module (do not publish), a Start Here module, a UAB Policies and Resources module, and 1 content or weekly module.
3. Review each page in the Start Here module. Click Edit and use the Rich Content Editor opens a new website to update content on the pages as needed.
   Note: You will not be able to edit the Tips for Online Success or the Netiquette activity. If these do not apply to your course, you can unpublish or remove opens a new website them.
4. There is one content module named Module 1.
   • Each page, assignment, discussion, and quiz within Module 1 contains sample criteria highlighted in yellow relevant to the Canvas assignment or content type. These serve as examples and can be edited or deleted as needed.
   • Duplicate Module 1 opens a new website to create the number of modules needed for the course.
   • Update the pages in each module.
5. Change the names of the modules opens a new website if desired.
6. Add assignments, discussions, and/or quizzes opens a new website to the associated module and include the due date for each assignment opens a new website, discussion opens a new website, and/or quiz opens a new website. You can also edit dates in bulk.
7. Publish modules and items within modules opens a new website when they should be visible to students and lock them until the desired.

Step 2 - Customize the Syllabus

Option 1: Simple Syllabus Tool (Preferred)

1. In the course menu, click on Settings. Select Navigate.
2. Move either Simple Syllabus or Simple Syllabi to the top list. Use Simple Syllabi when you have a cross-listed(merged) Canvas course that needs to show syllabi based on section enrollment. Otherwise use Simple Syllabus. Move Syllabus to the bottom list. Save.
3. Click on Simple Syllabus in the course menu.
4. Edit your syllabus. View the Simple Syllabus page for guides.

Option 2: Canvas Syllabus tool with Word document

1. Download the UAB Syllabus Template.
   • Go to your Downloads folder on your computer to find the document.
   • After opening the document, you may have to click on Enable Editing at the top of the document.
   • Update the syllabus document and save it to your computer.
2. On the Syllabus tab in your course in Canvas, select Edit.
3. Highlight the text "View full version of the syllabus" and hyperlink your syllabus document.
4. Update the content in the textbox. Click Save at the bottom of the screen.

Step 3 - Customize Template Homepage

1. Go to the Pages tab in the course menu.
2. Click View All Pages on the top left.
3. Locate and click Template Homepage or eLearning Homepage from the list.
4. If using Simple Syllabus, edit the Syllabus button on the homepage.
   • Click on the Syllabus button and select Link Options.
   • In the pop-out on the right, you will see the link. Click in that box with the link and use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move the cursor to be before the word Assignments.
   • Delete “assignments/syllabus” and add “external_tools/139159” in that field. Save. The text of external_tools/139159 is what you will use for any course. That number is specific to Simple Syllabus and not specific to a course.

In situations where instructors must teach remotely on short notice such as an extended weather event, instructors are expected to do what they can to ensure student learning and success despite the difficult circumstances. When you need to transition your face-to-face course to online delivery, many strategies can be implemented to provide an effective learning environment. The goal is to ensure that students continue to build knowledge, interact with the content, peers, and the instructor, and are assessed on their mastery of the course objectives.

Here are some resources for continuing instruction online when faced with a sudden switch from classroom to remote learning.

Synchronous, Live Class Meetings Online

One option is to continue meeting at your regular class time but doing so on Zoom or in Microstoft Teams Meetings. Learn more about using Zoom or Microsoft Teams Meetings Meet. See these strategies for synchronous online classes from Illinois State University opens a new website.

Using Canvas

When synchronous live class meetings are not possible, use Canvas to continue your course online. Every UAB course has a course shell in Canvas whether you are using it or not. If you are already supplementing a campus course with Canvas to provide things like your syllabus and grades, then you are well on your way to using it for remote learning. If you have not used Canvas for your class, you can still use it to provide extended learning for the duration of the emergency remote teaching needs.

Getting Started if you are not Currently Using Canvas

• Communicate your plan to students by emailing them and posting an announcement in Canvas about the plan. Instructors can send emails to their entire roster via BlazerNET. This option only allows text to be sent and cannot include attachments (files).
• Create a module to introduce the week’s topic and plans. You can upload documents your students may need, create a discussion assignment, and even create a quiz.
• Schedule an optional live Zoom class during your course’s scheduled time. You can do a lecture including presenting a PowerPoint presentation or simply use the time to answer questions about assigned readings or other activities.
• Consider providing virtual office hours in Zoom where students can drop in to ask questions and get support.

Canvas Login Opens an external link.

Canvas Announcements

Post announcements opens a new website with written or recorded messages opens a new website for your students. This is the fastest way to communicate with your entire class from within Canvas. Suggest to students that they check their notifications settings opens a new website to allow for copies of announcements to be forwarded to their email address. You will need to make sure your course is published for your students to see the announcements.

Canvas Discussions

Setting up a Canvas discussion opens a new website is an easy way to allow instructors to discuss course content or assignments with students, or for students to share work or ask questions.

Syllabus

Upload your syllabus on the Syllabus page in your Canvas course or use the Simple Syllabus tool to create a syllabus or load an existing one. Make sure to include a message about new online components and expectations.

Course Content

Use Canvas Modules opens a new website to organize things like pages, files, assignments, and discussions in one place. Add Canvas Pages opens a new website to your module to present text, hyperlink to files or websites, and embed images, recorded videos, and YouTube videos. All files uploaded to your Canvas course can be seen via the file tab in the course navigation unless you hide this tab from your course navigation opens a new website. To avoid confusion and ensure students only see what you want them to see, we recommend hiding the Pages and Files tabs from students. Using the Modules, they will have all items needed in one place.

The UAB Libraries provides many Faculty Resources opens a new website. Contact UAB Libraries opens a new website for assistance in linking library resources to your Canvas course (view their Teaching resources opens a new website).

Create simple narrated PowerPoint slideshows by recording your voice narration over the PowerPoint and share with their students. To do this, click the Slide Show tab in the ribbon menu of PowerPoint, select the slide where you want the recording to begin, and then click Record Slide Show. Once you are done recording, you can save as PowerPoint Show (ppsx file) or a video (mp4 file). Share this with your students by uploading the file in Canvas, OneDrive, or Box. Videos can be also uploaded to Kaltura and embedded in module pages, assignments, or announcements. Find more information and instructions on recording voiceover PowerPoints opens a new website on Microsoft's website. View the Kaltura guides on our Kaltura page.

Assessing Student Work

• Add Canvas Assignments opens a new website to your course modules so that you can collect students' work and record grades in the gradebook.
• Add graded Canvas Discussions opens a new website to your course modules so that students can respond to a prompt with text, files, or video/audio.
• Add Canvas Quizzes opens a new website to your modules to provide formative or summative assessment. Multiple choice, true/false, matching, and fill in the blank question types can be automatically graded while short answer and essay can be graded in the Speedgrader.
• Instructors can use online proctoring services to increase academic integrity.
• Most assignments can be graded using SpeedGrader opens a new website. Or, you can navigate to the gradebook in your course space and enter scores directly by clicking on a cell and entering a number.
• Instructors can pull their grades directly into the Banner Student Information System (SIS) from the Canvas Gradebook during the Grading window.

Conducting a Class without Canvas

While you are strongly encouraged to use Canvas for conducting a course remotely, instructors who choose not to have other options by simply communicating and sharing files with students via email. You can send emails to your entire roster via BlazerNET opens a new website. This option only allows text to be sent and cannot include attachments (files). But you can use Outlook opens a new website or Outlook web opens a new website to send an email that includes links and attachments. Click the Course Roster icon in BlazerNET to see the names and emails of every student in your course. Scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on “Email Entire Class” to open an Outlook email to the students or click on the “Show Data in EXCEL” button to download the roster in Excel.

Smaller files can be attached to an email (less than 30 MB in size). Larger files can be uploaded to one of UAB's approved file storage options opens a new website and shared with students. Box opens a new website allows users to upload all types of documents and provide students access as collaborators opens a new website. You can give students read only access or give them permission to add files to a shared folder.

OneDrive opens a new website allows users to easily create new documents, spreadsheets, and presentations through Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You can also upload other types of files such as PDFs and media. You can then share those files with UAB faculty, staff, and students by typing in their emails or creating a sharing link.

Equity and Access

There are students registered with Disability Support Services (DSS) who require accommodations which have been tailored to meet their needs in the traditional “in-class” setting. In the event that the university decides to move toward a plan of “online only” classes, DSS will be available to consult with faculty to ensure students continue to have an accessible experience at UAB.

Please note, if the University has not made this change in format, but an individual instructor chooses to change their course to online, it is critical that faculty who have students utilizing certain accommodations, contact DSS to consult. For example, students with hearing loss who use interpreting services or captioning services in the classroom will need to access the online version of the course which will need to continue to be accessible. For example, if an instructor is using Zoom to conduct their class, and a student requires interpreting or captioning services, the instructor will need to work with DSS so we can ensure these accessibility features are included in the delivered format. For questions, please contact Disability Support Services at (205) 934-4205 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Academic Technology and Support

See all your support options on our support page.