When in-person class activities are disrupted due to emergency closure of the College or widespread absences, instructors may need to use alternative instruction methods, such as moving your course materials and learning activities online.
To support Minnesota State faculty and staff with their academic continuity planning, the system office has alternate technologies available at no additional cost (D2L Brightspace, Kaltura MediaSpace, Zoom, Office 365).
We recognize teaching online requires preparation, training, and ongoing professional development. However, there may be events that do not allow you to get training prior to teaching online.
Here we recommend supported technology tools to help you transition your courses online quickly.
D2L Brightspace is the learning management system software we use at Northland. Brightspace has a broad range of features that can help faculty make their courses more efficient and more effective whether it is face-to-face, hybrid/blended, or fully online.
D2L Brightspace Sign-In »D2L Support & Professional Development
For additional D2L support and professional development, please:
Helpful Links
Zoom is an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems.
How can I get help with Zoom?
There are many ways to get assistance with Zoom video conferencing.
Helpful Links
Communication is always key, and it's essential to keep in touch and interact with students, no matter where you are. While email is always an option, we offer additional tools that help you keep communication manageable, quick, and personable.
D2L Brightspace offers a variety of document types and it is easy to link documents from your OneDrive account.
You can still quiz students, hold in-depth discussions, and collect essays and papers in D2L Brightspace.
If you want to hold virtual office hours or maintain your face-to-face class schedule, Northland's online meeting tool, Zoom, can help. Communicate early with your students to determine their level of technology availability (computer, webcam, internet speed) and comfort before requiring online meetings.
Video provides your students with a substitute for your in-class lectures, gives them a sense of your presence in the online classroom, and offers them an alternative to traditional assignments such as presentations.
If you have tested positive and/or been in close contact with someone, please contact covid@northlandcollege.edu.
Members of the news media should contact Northland Marketing & Communications with any questions about Northland’s response to COVID-19.
Chad Sperling
Director Of Marketing & Communications
(218) 793-2436
chad.sperling@northlandcollege.edu