ATUS offering new resources to support hybrid and mixed-modality instruction
In light of the need to support hybrid and mixed-modality instruction, ATUS and its affiliates have prepared a number of new and relevant resources online and in our classrooms.
Flexible Modality Toolkit
Looking for recorded tutorials, handouts, and walkthroughs for managing online classroom and online technology? The Flexible Modality Toolkit provides a variety of recorded and text-based materials that cover classroom technology-related topics such as setting microphones correctly, use of document cameras, videoconferencing using Teams and Zoom, Panopto lecture capture, and much more.
Main categories include:
- Technologies for all teaching modalities
- Technologies for in-classroom/mixed modalities
- Strategies for online synchronous teaching
- Strategies for mixed modality teaching
- Instructional media management
The Flexible Modality Toolkit is available at the Teaching & Learning Co-op website, a collaborative collection of resources with contributions from ATUS, CIIA, OCE/WesternOnline, the Library, and faculty..
Classroom Equipment
To record your classroom presentations or to conduct a videoconference from the classroom, all general-use classrooms (GUCs) have been equipped with a camera and microphone. Traditional GUCs (fewer than 50 seats) received a standard web camera equipped with a built-in microphone or external lapel microphone.
For more sophisticated classroom videoconferencing needs, most of the larger GUCs (more than 50 seats) now have an Owl camera, which features a multidirectional 360-degree view and automatic zoom that responds to who is talking.
Most large GUCs (more than 100 seats) are now equipped with a wall-mounted pan/tilt/zoom camera, while several large GUCs were equipped with a powerful microphone array.
Specific equipment for each classroom is listed at Classroom Details | ATUS.
For more details and support for classroom equipment, please contact Classroom Services at 360-650-3300 or classroomservices.forms@wwu.edu.
Classroom and Lab Software
Every general-use classroom is equipped with standard University-supported software including the Microsoft Office suite, Teams, Zoom, and Panopto.
For a complete list of additional Windows software available in all general-use classrooms and labs, please see Software Available in All General University Labs & Classrooms – WINDOWS.
Implementing Disability-Related Remote Participation Requests
If students cannot attend in person and want to request a disability-related accommodation, they must submit a remote participation request and contact the Disability Access Center. If the student has been approved, the DAC will reach out to faculty prior to the start of the term to initiate discussions and plans for how to accommodate the student. The DAC will get a sense of the course objectives and outcomes, what equipment is available and what will be needed, and then will set off to remediate content or procure any equipment through ATUS that may be necessary. Both the student and the instructor will receive ongoing support throughout the term.
All disability-related remote participation requests will come through the Disability Access Center (DAC). All non-disability related remote student participation requests will go through the Office of Student Life.
For more information on how students request remote participation due to disability, visit the DAC website.
Ongoing In-class Assistance
Some hybrid or hyflex classroom situations may benefit from ongoing, in-class facilitation. These situations may require routine support from individuals such as teaching assistants. ATUS can provide training and support for your TAs. If you seek additional funding to hire classroom TAs, please see your department chair.
Where do I get general support?
For questions and additional support, please contact the ATUS Help Desk: