Learning & Development: Virtual Delivery

Deliver, Engage, and Educate Online: Virtual Communication Tools

UC ANR employees can enhance their virtual event, webinar, and online course delivery skills with the resources on this page. Topics include app selection, course design, remote work, and tools like Zoom and Google Workspace. Additional guidance covers naming web assets, avoiding Zoom fatigue, and creating engaging virtual learning experiences. Explore strategies for blogging, social media, and podcasting to communicate effectively.

On this page:

Apps & Collaboration
Blogs - Tap UC ANR's Blogs
Integrated Web Platform
Photography
Podcasting
Social Media
Working Remotely
Vendor risk assessment
Virtual events & Webinars

Apps & Collaboration

Should I Create an App? A guide to app development timelines and costs. Read more: App Development Fact Sheet (PDF)
Navigating Google Workspace: Tutorials and troubleshooting for Google services. Visit Google Suite Support
Integrated Web Platform (IWP): Best practices for online course accessibility. Learn more about IWP

Blogs - Tap UC ANR's Blogs

Writing Effective Blog Posts: Learn how to create engaging and shareable content. (U of Wisconsin Web page)
Sharing Your Blog Stories: Strategies to amplify your reach.

Example Blogs:

Food Blog
Green Blog
Healthy Communities Blog
Spanish Blog

Submit Story Ideas: contentpipeline@ucanr.edu

Video (53:06) Fact sheet (Strat Com)

Rose Haydn Smith series: Communicating Your Story

For Blogs and More (webANR) (53 min)

Tip Sheet 1

Powerpoint PPT

Bibliography

Blogging Notes ; PPT

Virtual Events & Webinars

Using Zoom: Tips for effective Zoom usage. (UC ANR Web page)
Create and Implement Engaging Webinars: Strategies for making webinars interactive and impactful.
Facebook Live Streaming: Leveraging Facebook for live virtual events. (Slide deck).

Resources:

Adult Learning Principles (UC ANR Web page)
Virtual Consultation Tips (PDF)

Working Remotely

This collection of resources offers guidance for telecommuters, covering various aspects of working remotely. It includes safety tips for home offices, such as computer ergonomics, and strategies to avoid Zoom fatigue during virtual meetings. The materials also provide advice on using technology effectively, including Zoom and other virtual tools, and creating engaging webinars. Additional resources focus on preparing remote teams in counties and RECs, ensuring smooth and safe telecommuting practices while maintaining productivity and engagement. For details read more here - Working remotely (Web page).

Virtual Delivery - Information Technology

Navigating Google Suite: Access your Google Account through UC Davis (log in required)

The Google Workspace support page for users provides help with managing Google services like Gmail, Drive, and Calendar. It includes tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and detailed articles on productivity tools within the Google ecosystem. Users can find instructions on using features, handling account issues, and setting up different services. The page is a central hub for accessing all resources related to Google Workspace functionality and user management. Learn more here - Google Suite of Tools (Web page).

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Web Development

Should I be worried about what tool I choose and the Integrated web Platform? Using multiple tools for online learning can be beneficial. Whatever the tool, the path to making online courses discoverable and accessible is through the Integrated Web Platform.

When naming assets like files, pages, directories, and images for the internet, it's essential to use descriptive and clear names. This practice helps both users and search engines understand the content, improves organization during website preparation, and enhances the accessibility of the site. Thoughtful naming makes it easier to manage files and contributes to better website performance and user experience.

Web technology (Website)

Google Analytics with SiteBuilder (Video)

How to Evaluate A Website (Fact Sheet)

Vendor Risk Assessment (VRA)

Note that a vendor risk assessment (VRA) must be conducted before you use a virtual collaboration platform. This is a list of vendor or other third party services ad products for which a vendor risk assessment is either underway, has been completed, is on hold, or has been canceled.

The UC ANR Vendor Risk Assessment (VRA) Request page is used for logging in to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) portal. It provides access for users with ANR accounts, offering features such as password recovery and Single Sign-On for UCANR staff. It is a portal for managing internal resources related to UCANR programs. Use the Vendor Risk Assessment Form (Web page) to evaluate your new requests.

Regardless of whether a Vendor Risk Assessment has been performed on a potential service provider Procurement must still complete the standard Procurement process to ensure that agreements (e.g., contracts) comply with IS-3, when applicable and all other required University policies. UC Davis – Software Related Services Form (PDF) for Software and Related Services.
Ensure platforms comply with UC policies.

This is a listing of the risk assesssments that have been completed by UCANR IT. You will find the approved protection level, which indicates the level of protection that the vendor provides, as determined by UCANR IT along with the required level of protection for the use case included in the original request. Find out if your new app has already been approved UC ANR Risk Assessments Completed (Web page).

Blogs

Writing an Effective Blog Post: Blogging allows writers to share opinions, ideas, and engage in conversations with readers. Unlike journalism, blogs foster interaction and feedback on evolving ideas, building communities through comments. Key elements like clear headlines, engaging images, and strong opening lines help attract and maintain an audience. Learn about blogging best practices here - Writing an Effective Blog Post (University of Wisconsin Web page).

Share your Blog stories more widely. Increase the reach of your blog posts - get help in writing and share them through the widely read UC ANR blogs.

Choose a relevant blog. For example:

Food blog (covers ag, nutrition, food safety);
Green blog (covers natural resources, climate change resiliency);
Healthy Communities blog (covers information/outreach from Statewide Programs and UCCE to make people/communities healthier);
News blog (breaking news or new research findings)
Spanish blog (information of interest to the Latino community).

Submit your questions or story ideas to contentpipeline@ucanr.edu.

On-line Courses

Hacks to create equity in online instruction (Amand Crump et al)

Training Modality Options (PDF)

How to Design Environments that Optimize Blending Learning - Zoomtopia 2020 (Video 18:31)

Checklist - online minimum standards (Fact sheet)

Checklist (UC IPM)

Beginner considerations - Fact Sheet (UC ANR)

Tips on development:

Tips from UC IPM

Tips from UC CalFresh

Top 10 rules web (Magna)

On-line platform to deliver courses: currently our best option seems to be eXtension.org

Effective Strategies for Creating Engaging eLearning (PDF)

Distance Learning Technology and Learning Apps (Anna Jones and Lyn Brock)

Slides ; Recording

Uploading your course to eXtension (pdf)

Book resources: The Systematic Design of Instruction (Seventh Edition) Amazon (Rec P Kosina) ; Essentials of Online Course Design- A Standards-Based Guide (Second Edition) (Rec Lauren Snowden)

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Photography

Link for Photography Tips.

Podcasting

Podcasting as a tool - an introduction (Blog post - Milliron & Gordon)

Podcast tips (Fact sheet - Milliron & Gordon)

Podcasts as an Extension method (Video - 54 min)

Sample disclaimer

Social media plays a vital role in extending information, connecting with stakeholders and colleagues, reaching new audiences, engaging with media and advocacy. More here.

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