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The University of Winnipeg

Setting Up Your Course - Hardware and Software

 

Nexus

Nexus is the University of Winnipeg’s Learning Management System. It is used to securely deliver online course content for courses scheduled in the University's academic calendar. This content is available only to students registered for the specific course.

Instructors of registered course sites must fill out a request form to obtain a Nexus course site. The request and creation of live/official Nexus course sites can only begin once the timetable is posted to WebAdvisor. The final confirmed course delivery method/course code/section number are crucial to the course site creation process. Requests must be made on a term-by-term, course-by-course basis; course sites created in previous term(s) do not get automatically created for upcoming terms. 

 For more detailed information about the following Nexus requirements, procedures, “how to” documents and guides, view the “Preparing for the Fall Online Term” document which is available for download.

Enhanced Nexus Support:  To better respond to the increased volume of Nexus Support requests, the Centre for Academic Technology has leveraged our LMS provider’s (D2L Brightspace) End User Support service. Starting Friday, February 19, 2021, this service will be available to all Nexus users (students, staff and faculty), with 24/7/365 support for the majority of Nexus requests via Live Chat or by email. If needed, other requests will be escalated to the UWinnipeg Nexus Support team to be addressed during regular business hours.
Details for faculty/staff on how to access the new support service portal.

 

 Step 1: Request or use your UWinnipeg network (WebAdvisor) account and email account

Process:  Contact your Department Assistant for assistance, if required.

Step 2:  Request a Nexus Course

Pre-Requisites: 

  • Course is posted in the WebAdvisor timetable.  
  • Delivery method, course and sections numbers have been approved for the term. 
  • Available UWinnipeg network account. 

Process:  Complete the Nexus Course Request Form.

  • Requests for the current/upcoming term are processed within 3-5 business days and in the order they are received.
  • Instructors will receive email confirmation upon request completion, which will also include information regarding the earliest date that registered students will be enrolled into your Nexus course.

Additional requests for the following options may be added to the Comments section of the Nexus Course Request Form: 

  • Request an instructor “Sandbox” Site for preliminary development and testing of course design outside of the official course site 
  • Request enrolment to the Nexus Tutorials for Instructors with information and tutorials on the specific tools and functions that are currently available to instructors in Nexus

Step 3: Advanced Online Course Preparation

Course development can begin prior to the creation of your requested Nexus Course site. This includes collating course materials, arranging Library Reserve Readings, creating PowerPoint presentations, developing rubrics, creating assessments, planning and organizing your online course.

Step 4: Received Confirmation of Nexus Course Site Creation 

Once your live/official Nexus course site is created, you can start or continue developing your online course. If you have already developed some course content using a Sandbox site, you can easily copy or import the course content to your live Nexus course site.  Instructions on how to do so are available in the Nexus Tutorials for Instructors course.  If you do not already have access to this Tutorials course, contact Nexus Support.

The  reference guide “Preparing for Fall Online Term” also covers the following topics for assistance with course content:

This document continues to be updated by the Nexus Support team as processes and procedures change. Please check regularly for changes.

Virtual Teaching Tools

Tools that are available specifically to UWinnipeg instructors, such as Nexus and Zoom, can be found on Centre for Academic Technology - Virtual Teaching Tools Website.

Additional curated tools for teaching can be found at COVIDCampus Guide Tools Overview

NextCloud

NextCloud is similar to commercial collaborative web storage solutions.  It will allow you to upload and store course materials or video files on a secure University of Winnipeg server ir   share files or links to files with students. Shared files can be configured individually for viewing only with no download function.

Recording and Sharing Video

Zoom

A video conferencing service, Zoom is a service that can be used in a variety of ways, from very basic video meetings to utilizing the many advanced features that Zoom provides.  In the weblink below you will find information about hardware and connectivity requirements, Zoom account, user guide, lecture tips, recording and uploading Zoom Videos to Nexus, and Nexus-Zoom training module.

Zoom’s Terms of Service prohibit screensharing of copyrighted DVDs and streaming video.

Zoom - Self Serve Studio - Rm 2C17

Room 2C17 is available to the University community for Zoom pre-recording and upload of the resulting video in Nexus or Nextcloud. The studio features a fully configured workstation with microphone, video camera, ring light, and Zoom software. User guides and easy to follow instructions are provided in the room.

For access to this room, please note that all campus buildings are closed until further notice. Faculty and staff who need access to campus must be authorized by their department Chair/Dean or supervisor and check in with Security Services when coming to campus.

Recording a Powerpoint with Audio

An easy and familiar tool to use for asynchronous lectures may be PowerPoint, which also allows you to pre-record or record lectures as you give them: https://libguides.uwinnipeg.ca/c.php?g=715158&p=5098935#s-lib-ctab-16033307-2

Video Studios 1L10, 1L11, 1L12

The Studios are available to the University community for video recording sessions for teaching and research purposes.  1L10 features a three camera set-up, while 1L11 and 1L12 has a one camera set-up. The Studios offer a variety of input sources including a document camera, SMART Board and computer.  Changes in course delivery due to current social distancing needs can be managed by pre-recording lecture content ahead of schedule and uploading to Nexus for viewing immediately or later.

For details on booking either studio, please contact Warren McNeil.