Types of Assignments or Exams

• Essay/Research Paper

  Your instructor will be able to provide instructions on where within iLearn to make your final paper submission. Your instructor will also notify you of any formatting requirements, ie., whether you can submit in Word or PDF formats. These specifications may be received in a number of ways: through correspondence sent by your instructor, in the syllabus, through an iLearn announcement, or within instructions on iLearn where the assignment gets submitted. Contact your instructor if you are uncertain about how to submit an assignment.

  • Submit Assignments in iLearn

   

• Presentation/Performance

  Your instructor may ask you to create, record, and submit a presentation, performance, or demonstration. This might require you to provide digital files like videos, slides, or links to other materials. There are a number of ways an instructor might accept the submission of your work. 

  You can upload your video to a storage site (e.g. Google Drive or YouTube) and add the link to iLearn in the text box of the assignment submission. 

  Recording a Video Presentation Or Performance

   

  Record your presentation, store the video file, and post the link in iLearn:

  1. Use a camera (a smartphone camera will work), webcam, or screen capture to film your presentation, performance, or project.
  2. Go to Google Drive (or YouTube or another video sharing site we can all access) and sign in with your UCR email.
  3. Once your video is posted, turn in the link to the assignment and (possibly) discussion board in iLearn. 

  NOTE: There are many ways to do this, but instructions on using Zoom for recording and Google Drive for storage are posted below. See this Webinar Recording on how to record directly in PowerPoint.

  ---

  1. Recording Your Video

  Using Zoom

  Before you begin

  • Open any documents, presentations, or websites you plan you show in your lecture. 

  Recording a session

  • Start a new Zoom meeting (with only yourself). Go to ucr.zoom.us and login with you UCR NetID. In the upper right corner, click Host a Meeting and choose With Video On from the dropdown. Once you start your session, the camera will display, along with a menu on the bottom of the screen.

  • Click the Share Screen button in the middle of the bottom menu bar (with the green arrow).

  

  • Applications you previously opened on your computer will display here. Click the application (e.g. PowerPoint) you want to display and then the blue Share button at the bottom right.

  

  • Push the Record icon on the menu bar to begin recording. NOTE: in your settings you can choose to store your recordings locally on your computer or to the Cloud. If you've already started, you can click the caret next to the Record icon to select Record on this Computer or Record to the Cloud*. (NOTE: If you've saved your recording to Zoom's Cloud, you can simply share that link in iLearn).

  

  • The red light appears at the upper left of the screen indicates you are recording; begin your lecture.
  • To stop sharing your screen, click the red Stop Share button.
  • When you are finished, you will click End Meeting (in red) on the lower right corner of your menu bar. You will need to wait while your video finishes rendering.

  Other Video Recording Alternatives

  There are alternatives to recording a video using Zoom. But whatever you use you must make sure that 1) the sound quality is acceptable and 2) that you upload your video to a cloud storage site so you can share that link in iLearn. 

  • Screencast-o-matic or similar tools. This is a very simple and user-friendly option that uploads directly to YouTube. See this instructional video by UCR Prof. Annie Ditta from the Department of Psychology. 
  • Camtasia or other screen recording/video editing software. If you have these tools, you can use them.
  • PowerPoint (Office 365, 2016, and 2013 versions). You can record a narrated presentation in the application itself and save it to your computer. You can then upload the file to Google Drive or YouTube to share. More information on this option can be found here.  NOTE: If you choose this option, please be aware that the video/audio quality of your recording may not be optimal; it is best to record a small (1-2 mins.) sample to upload to iLearn and then play the recording to personally gauge the quality for yourself.
  • Pre-recorded Webinar: Recording a PowerPoint Presentation
  • Google Meet is a Zoom-like alternative that auto-captions (captioning would still need to be reviewed and edited for ADA compliance). Please note that recording lectures in Meet is only available through July 1, 2020, and not turned on by default; place a work ticket with ITS to get this feature activated.  

  ---

  2) Storing Your Video

  Zoom's Cloud

  If you've saved your recording to Zoom's Cloud, you can simply share that link in iLearn. 

  Note that Zoom will save your recording for only 6 months (and even that might not be guaranteed during this busy time). If this is a video you don't want to save long-term (i.e., a live Zoom recording that you are providing for students who could not attend), then this will probably work for you. If it is a video that you want to keep longer, go ahead and download the video and store it somewhere else (e.g., Google Drive).

  Google Drive

  If your video file exists on your computer (or if you've downloaded the recording from Zoom's Cloud), you can then upload your file to Google Drive. This is our recommendation.

  1. Go to drive.google.com (make sure you are signed in with your UCR account information).
  2. At the top left, click New -> File Upload.
  3. Choose the video file you want to store. 
  4. When you're ready to share your video, don't forget to choose "only those with the link can view" (see more detailed instructions here).

  YouTube

  NOTE: You can also use YouTube for storage and captioning, but you must be mindful of both copyright and accessibility issues with that option. While we officially recommend Google Drive, here are some YouTube instructions as well.

  Create a personal channel for teaching with UCR account

  1. Sign in to YouTube on a computer or using the mobile site with your UCR R’Mail account (make sure that you’re not signed in with your personal Google account).
  2. Create a Channel: Try any action that requires a channel, such as uploading a video, and if you don't yet have a channel, you'll see a prompt to create a channel.
  3. Upload video: Check the details (with your Google Account name and photo) and confirm to create your new channel. At the top right, select Create a video or post.  
  4. Select the file you’d like to upload.
  5. You can now share that link in iLearn. 

  ---

  3. Putting your materials in iLearn

  Remember, you cannot upload your video files directly to iLearn. To give your instructor and fellow students access to your video recordings, paste the link into the appropriate content area in iLearn.

• Project

  You can take pictures or a video of your project with audio narration. Your instructor may ask you to create, record, and submit a presentation, performance, or demonstration. This might require you to provide digital files like videos, slides, or links to other materials. There are a number of ways an instructor might accept the submission of your work. 

  Record your presentation

  1. Use a camera (a smartphone camera will work), webcam, or screen capture to film your presentation, performance, or project.
  2. Go to Google Drive (or YouTube or another video sharing site we can all access) and sign in with your UCR email.
  3. Once your video is posted, turn in the link to the assignment and (possibly) discussion board in iLearn. 

  NOTE: There are many ways to do this, but instructions on using Zoom for recording and Google Drive for storage are posted below. See this Webinar Recording on how to record directly in PowerPoint.

  ---

  1. Recording Your Video

  Using Zoom

  Before you begin

  • Open any documents, presentations, or websites you plan to show in your lecture. 

  Recording a session

  • Start a new Zoom meeting (with only yourself). Go to ucr.zoom.us and login with you UCR NetID. In the upper right corner, click Host a Meeting and choose With Video On from the dropdown. Once you start your session, the camera will display, along with a menu on the bottom of the screen.

  • Click the Share Screen button in the middle of the bottom menu bar (with the green arrow).

  

  • Applications you previously opened on your computer will display here. Click the application (e.g. PowerPoint) you want to display and then the blue Share button at the bottom right.

  

  • Push the Record icon on the menu bar to begin recording. NOTE: in your settings you can choose to store your recordings locally on your computer or to the Cloud. If you've already started, you can click the caret next to the Record icon to select Record on this Computer or Record to the Cloud*. (NOTE: If you've saved your recording to Zoom's Cloud, you can simply share that link in iLearn).

  

  • The red light appears at the upper left of the screen indicates you are recording; begin your lecture.
  • To stop sharing your screen, click the red Stop Share button.
  • When you are finished, you will click End Meeting (in red) on the lower right corner of your menu bar. You will need to wait while your video finishes rendering.

  Other Video Recording Alternatives

  There are alternatives to recording a video using Zoom. But whatever you use you must make sure that 1) the sound quality is acceptable and 2) that you upload your video to a cloud storage site so you can share that link in iLearn. 

  • Screencast-o-matic or similar tools. This is a very simple and user-friendly option that uploads directly to YouTube. See this instructional video by UCR Prof. Annie Ditta from the Department of Psychology. 
  • Camtasia or other screen recording/video editing software. If you have these tools, you can use them.
  • PowerPoint (Office 365, 2016, and 2013 versions). You can record a narrated presentation in the application itself and save it to your computer. You can then upload the file to Google Drive or YouTube to share. More information on this option can be found here.  NOTE: If you choose this option, please be aware that the video/audio quality of your recording may not be optimal; it is best to record a small (1-2 mins.) sample to upload to iLearn and then play the recording to personally gauge the quality for yourself.
  • Pre-recorded Webinar: Recording a PowerPoint Presentation
  • Google Meet is a Zoom-like alternative that auto-captions (captioning would still need to be reviewed and edited for ADA compliance). Please note that recording lectures in Meet is only available through July 1, 2020, and not turned on by default; place a work ticket with ITS to get this feature activated.  

  ---

  2) Storing Your Video

  Zoom's Cloud

  If you've saved your recording to Zoom's Cloud, you can simply share that link in iLearn. 

  Note that Zoom will save your recording for only 6 months (and even that might not be guaranteed during this busy time). If this is a video you don't want to save long-term (i.e., a live Zoom recording that you are providing for students who could not attend), then this will probably work for you. If it is a video that you want to keep longer, go ahead and download the video and store it somewhere else (e.g., Google Drive).

  Google Drive

  If your video file exists on your computer (or if you've downloaded the recording from Zoom's Cloud), you can then upload your file to Google Drive. This is our recommendation.

  1. Go to drive.google.com (make sure you are signed in with your UCR account information).
  2. At the top left, click New -> File Upload.
  3. Choose the video file you want to store. 
  4. When you're ready to share your video, don't forget to choose "only those with the link can view" (see more detailed instructions here).

  YouTube

  NOTE: You can also use YouTube for storage and captioning, but you must be mindful of both copyright and accessibility issues with that option. While we officially recommend Google Drive, here are some YouTube instructions as well.

  Create a personal channel for teaching with UCR account

  1. Sign in to YouTube on a computer or using the mobile site with your UCR R’Mail account (make sure that you’re not signed in with your personal Google account).
  2. Create a Channel: Try any action that requires a channel, such as uploading a video, and if you don't yet have a channel, you'll see a prompt to create a channel.
  3. Upload video: Check the details (with your Google Account name and photo) and confirm to create your new channel. At the top right, select Create a video or post.  
  4. Select the file you’d like to upload.
  5. You can now share that link in iLearn. 

  ---

  3. Putting your materials in iLearn

  Remember, you cannot upload your video files directly to iLearn. To give your instructor and fellow students access to your video recordings, paste the link into the appropriate content area in iLearn

• Exam

  OPTION 1: 

  Your instructor will post your exam in iLearn. This may allow you to take the exam completely in iLearn, or you may be asked to submit a scanned version or photograph of your work.

  OPTION 2: 

  A few courses may use an online proctoring service. If so, your instructor will give you more information on how to proceed.

  ---

  Student Best Practices for iLearn Exams

  1. If you have been working in iLearn on other course work, close the browser down and start a new session before starting the test.
  2. Clear your browser’s cache (i.e., temporary Internet files and cookies) before starting an exam.
  3. Close all other applications; particularly instant message applications.
  4. Try to avoid waiting until the last minute to take an exam. If you experience technical issues, it may take some time to resolve the problem, so always allow plenty of time to complete the test.
  5. Once you have entered the test, do not leave until it is finished.
  6. If an issue arises during the test, immediately notify your instructor and Tech Support.
  7. Avoid using iPhone, iPod Touch, Netbooks, or other handheld devices to take the test.
  8. Maximize the browser window and do not resize or refresh it during the test.
  9. Do not use the browser navigation buttons; use the navigation buttons provided within the test.
  10. Avoid using the ENTER key, arrow keys, and mouse scroll wheel. Use the browsers' scroll bar and navigation buttons provided within the test.
  11. Do not double click test links or buttons (single click only).
  12. Do not click outside the test area. For example, do not click on Blackboard course menus links such as Assignments or Announcements.
  13. Do not answer any questions until the entire test has loaded. You can follow the download progress by monitoring the browsers status bar indicator found at the bottom of the page.
  14. Type answers to essay questions in WordPad or Notepad then copy and paste the answers into the text fields provided for each essay question. This way, you have a copy of your answers just in case you lose your Internet connection and need to re-take the test. DO NOT USE MS WORD! If you paste directly from MS Word, you will bring in some HTML coding that could interfere with the instructor viewing the answer to the essay question or the rest of the test.
  15. When the test questions are presented one at a time, do not click the save button, the answer is saved when you use the navigation buttons within the test.
  16. At the end of the test, make sure you click the Submit button, not the Save button. Only Submit will send the completed test to the instructor. Click the Submit button only ONCE. If your Internet connection is slow, you may think the test is not being sent, wait three to five minutes for a confirmation that the test was received.
• Scan a Document at Home
  • If you have an iPhone, the easiest way is to use the Notes app (which has a scanner) to scan your work and save as a PDF file. Here are instructions.
  • If you have a different smartphone, you can download and use the Google Drive mobile app (make sure you're using your UCR account). Here are instructions.
  • Theoretically, if you have no other option, you could simply snap a photo of your work with an external camera and turn in the photo file to iLearn. Note: the quality will be worse and might be hard to read or view. If you do not have access to a device with a camera, check in with the Loan2Learn program and inform your instructor immediately.
• Record a Video

  Record your presentation, store the video file, and post the link in iLearn:

  1. Use a camera (a smartphone camera will work), webcam, or screen capture to film your presentation, performance, or project.
  2. Go to Google Drive (or YouTube or another video sharing site we can all access) and sign in with your UCR email.
  3. Once your video is posted, turn in the link to the assignment and (possibly) discussion board in iLearn. 

  NOTE: There are many ways to do this, but instructions on using Zoom for recording and Google Drive for storage are posted below. See this Webinar Recording on how to record directly in PowerPoint.

  ---

  1. Recording Your Video

  Using Zoom

  Before you begin

  • Open any documents, presentations, or websites you plan your show in your lecture. 

  Recording a session

  • Start a new Zoom meeting (with only yourself). Go to ucr.zoom.us and login with you UCR NetID. In the upper right corner, click Host a Meeting and choose With Video On from the dropdown. Once you start your session, the camera will display, along with a menu on the bottom of the screen.

  • Click the Share Screen button in the middle of the bottom menu bar (with the green arrow).

  

  • Applications you previously opened on your computer will display here. Click the application (e.g. PowerPoint) you want to display and then the blue Share button at the bottom right.

  

  • Push the Record icon on the menu bar to begin recording. NOTE: in your settings, you can choose to store your recordings locally on your computer or to the Cloud. If you've already started, you can click the caret next to the Record icon to select Record on this Computer or Record to the Cloud*. (NOTE: If you've saved your recording to Zoom's Cloud, you can simply share that link in iLearn).

  

  • The red light appears at the upper left of the screen indicates you are recording; begin your lecture.
  • To stop sharing your screen, click the red Stop Share button.
  • When you are finished, you will click End Meeting (in red) on the lower right corner of your menu bar. You will need to wait while your video finishes rendering.

  Other Video Recording Alternatives

  There are alternatives to recording a video using Zoom. But whatever you use you must make sure that 1) the sound quality is acceptable and 2) that you upload your video to a cloud storage site so you can share that link in iLearn. 

  • Screencast-o-matic or similar tools. This is a very simple and user-friendly option that uploads directly to YouTube. See this instructional video by UCR Prof. Annie Ditta from the Department of Psychology. 
  • Camtasia or other screen recording/video editing software. If you have these tools, you can use them.
  • PowerPoint (Office 365, 2016, and 2013 versions). You can record a narrated presentation in the application itself and save it to your computer. You can then upload the file to Google Drive or YouTube to share. More information on this option can be found here.  NOTE: If you choose this option, please be aware that the video/audio quality of your recording may not be optimal; it is best to record a small (1-2 mins.) sample to upload to iLearn and then play the recording to personally gauge the quality for yourself.
  • Pre-recorded Webinar: Recording a PowerPoint Presentation
  • Google Meet is a Zoom-like alternative that auto-captions (captioning would still need to be reviewed and edited for ADA compliance). Please note that recording lectures in Meet is only available through July 1, 2020, and not turned on by default; place a work ticket with ITS to get this feature activated.  

  ---

  2) Storing Your Video

  Zoom's Cloud

  If you've saved your recording to Zoom's Cloud, you can simply share that link in iLearn. 

  Note that Zoom will save your recording for only 6 months (and even that might not be guaranteed during this busy time). If this is a video you don't want to save long-term (i.e., a live Zoom recording that you are providing for students who could not attend), then this will probably work for you. If it is a video that you want to keep longer, go ahead and download the video and store it somewhere else (e.g., Google Drive).

  Google Drive

  If your video file exists on your computer (or if you've downloaded the recording from Zoom's Cloud), you can then upload your file to Google Drive. This is our recommendation.

  1. Go to drive.google.com (make sure you are signed in with your UCR account information).
  2. At the top left, click New -> File Upload.
  3. Choose the video file you want to store. 
  4. When you're ready to share your video, don't forget to choose "only those with the link can view" (see more detailed instructions here).

  YouTube

  NOTE: You can also use YouTube for storage and captioning, but you must be mindful of both copyright and accessibility issues with that option. While we officially recommend Google Drive, here are some YouTube instructions as well.

  Create a personal channel for teaching with UCR account

  1. Sign in to YouTube on a computer or using the mobile site with your UCR R’Mail account (make sure that you’re not signed in with your personal Google account).
  2. Create a Channel: Try any action that requires a channel, such as uploading a video, and if you don't yet have a channel, you'll see a prompt to create a channel.
  3. Upload video: Check the details (with your Google Account name and photo) and confirm to create your new channel. At the top right, select Create a video or post.  
  4. Select the file you’d like to upload.
  5. You can now share that link in iLearn. 

  ---

  3. Putting your materials in iLearn

  Remember, you cannot upload your video files directly to iLearn. To give your instructor and fellow students access to your video recordings, paste the link into the appropriate content area in iLearn.