Today@Dal

The Centre for Learning & Teaching (CLT) and the Dal Libraries’ Academic Technology Services (ATS) unit will be offering some support to instructors who need help setting up courses during the late December/early January break.

When is this sup​​port available?

Tuesday, December 29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Wednesday, December 30, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Thursday, December 31, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday, January 2, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (ATS virtual drop-in support only.)
Sunday, January 3, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. (ATS virtual drop-in support only.)

The IT Help Desk will also be available for basic IT support from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on December 29, 30, 31, and January 2 and 3.

What kind o​​​f support is available?

Limited support is available during this time, rather than the full suite of support for online teaching available during the academic term.

Services that will be available include course building support and virtual drop-in support (for technical questions about the suite of instructional tools or questions about course design). You can also book an appointment for small-group and one-on-one pedagogical consultations with an educational developer.

Online teaching supports that will not be available during this period include videography, captioning support, and classrooms for lecture recording.

Wh​​​y is this support available when the university is otherwise closed?

Some instructors are planning to set up their courses during the break and will benefit from this support. In particular, this support will help those recently appointed part-time instructors who may only learn in December of their teaching assignments. Having these supports in place does not mean that you are expected to work while the university is otherwise closed, but they will be available for those who need them.

How can ​​​I get support for my online teaching?

To benefit from the full suite of online teaching supports before the start of the winter term, please contact the Centre for Learning & Teaching (CLT) for pedagogical support and the Dalhousie Libraries’ Academic Technology Services (ATS) for technical support before December 23.

​Dalhousie’s online teaching community in Brightspace, Going Online Together, and the online teaching website are resources that can be accessed at any time. If you do not have access to Going Online Together, contact the CLT to be added to the site.
In the new year, full technical support through ATS and full pedagogical support through the CLT will be available starting January 4. The first day of classes in the winter term is January 6 and ideally, all classes should be activated in Brightspace by that date.

Wh​​at other resources are available during the break?

The physical spaces of the Dalhousie Libraries will be closed during the December break, but access to eResources is always available through https://libraries.dal.ca.
Branches of Halifax Public Libraries may be open for those seeking a space to work in; consult their website for information about their holiday hours and the latest COVID-19 restrictions in public libraries.

Borrow recordin​g equipment and get captioning support – plan ahead

If you want to borrow recording equipment during the break, please arrange to do so no later than December 23. Equipment borrowed between December 17 and 23 will be on loan to you until January 4.
If you need captioning support for your winter classes, please submit your request as early as possible.

I’m a recently appointed instructor. How do I get access to Brightspace and the Dal Lib​​​raries?

If you have not yet received your letter of employment, which will contain your Banner ID number (beginning with B00), you can get it by following these steps:

1. Please contact your faculty administrator and request that they complete a courtesy access form and submit it to the Payroll Department on your behalf.
2. Once you have heard from the faculty administrator that the form has been completed, contact payforms@dal.ca to request your Banner number.
3. When you have your Banner number, go to https://password.dal.ca/. Entering your banner number here will activate your NetID, which you should record and memorize. You will also have to set up a password at this time. If you need help with this step, contact the IT Help Desk.
4. Once you have set up your NetID and password, you can log in to Brightspace and get access to eResources through the Dalhousie Libraries. 
5. To be added to Going Online Together, the Dalhousie teaching community in Brightspace, contact the CLT.