UBC’s Faculty of Education uses many open learning technologies to support online courses.
Etherpad | Kaltura | Mattermost | Other UBC Tools
Get to know Etherpad
- Etherpad is a synchronous document editor, similar to Google Docs, that can be used for collaboration.
- Etherpad supports multiplayer editing, where multiple collaborators can edit either synchronously or asynchronously.
- Users can join a document (or “pad”) using their name, a pseudonym, or by remaining anonymous.
- Etherpad is easy to use and includes all the text formatting options found in a typical text editor.
- Students do not need to create an account to access a pad. They can join a document simply by clicking through a shareable link.
- Etherpad is open source. It is hosted through OpenETC’s BC-hosted Sandstorm server.
- Etherpad is FIPPA compliant (it follows provincial privacy policy) and all data is stored on EduCloud in Canada.
- In Etherpad, you can: collaborate on a document, leave comments with suggested edits, check which contributor wrote what, communicate in a chat panel, share your document through email/shareable link, edit your display name.
Tip:
Etherpad is an example of a low bandwidth learning technology. Learn more about low-bandwidth teaching » and its benefits to your students.
Tip #2:
On the OpenETC Sandstorm server you can access and use over 70 open source web applications.
Learn about the OpenETC’s code of conduct and terms of service. The OpenETC is not an official UBC service.
Get help with Etherpad
- Learn more about Etherpad with an ETS educational technologist or learning designer. Schedule a meeting with one of us, we’re here to support you.
- Start using Etherpad by creating an account on the OpenETC Sandstorm server with your UBC email address.
- Sign in, select Apps, create an Etherpad Grain and make a Pad. Review more detailed instructions for getting started.
- Accessibility and Keyboard Shortcuts are listed on the Etherpad wiki.
Get to know Kaltura
- Kaltura is a media platform where you can upload, manage, and share videos. Audio files and images are also supported.
- Kaltura is integrated with Canvas. Any place that has a Rich Content Editor like a page, assignment, or announcement can have a video embedded.
- Kaltura supports screencast recording, where you can record your webcam and screen at the same time.
- Kaltura has unlimited data storage, so you can upload your lectures and other media and keep it secure.
- Kaltura supports captioning for accessibility. You can request automated captions and quickly fix mistakes.
- Kaltura is FIPPA compliant (it follows provincial privacy policy) and all data is stored in Canada.
- With Kaltura, you can: upload media, record screencasts, edit your videos, share using a link or in Canvas, create a course media gallery, make interactive videos quizzes.
Tip:
You can also log in to Kaltura outside of Canvas. The videos you upload and manage from this portal will still be accessible inside Canvas.
Get help with Kaltura
- Start using Kaltura from any of your Canvas courses. Just look for the rainbow icon button anywhere you see the Rich Content Editor.
- Enroll in the self-paced Using Kaltura in Canvas course to learn how to use its many features and options.
- Learn how to record a lecture from Canvas, with no standalone software required.
- See how others create media on the UBC Media Makers and DIY Media websites.
Tip:
When using Student View in Canvas, your Kaltura videos may not display. This is normal. Your real students will be able to see them.
Get to know Mattermost
- Mattermost provides a secure chat community for any of your courses. It is group chat similar to Slack or Microsoft Teams.
- Mattermost is anytime text communication. It is asynchronous, but can also be real-time. It does not need a webcam or microphone. It works well on slow connections.
- Mattermost is CWL-authenticated and stays in sync with your classlist.
- Mattermost is open source. UBC contributes to the codebase. We host it ourselves.
- Mattermost is FIPPA compliant (it follows provincial privacy policy) and all data is stored in Canada.
- In Mattermost, you can: make a discussion community, create public channels and private groups, chat directly with someone in your course, share files and images, use emoji and emoji reactions, participate in threaded discussions.
Tip:
Make sure you set your notification preferences the way you want them. Learn how in OpenETC’s email notifications resource »
Tip #2:
You can download the Mattermost app » on your mobile device.
For more about copyright, privacy and respectful environment policies, visit the ETS Mattermost Policies page ».
Get help with Mattermost
- Learn more about Mattermost with an ETS educational technologist or learning designer. Schedule a meeting with one of us, we’re here to support you.
- Request a team for your Faculty of Education course by filling out our Mattermost request form.
- Explore how others have used Mattermost to support online community on our Mattermost Case Studies page.
- For help getting started, read this Mattermost User Guide created by UBC PhD candidate Liam Doherty.
Mattermost has been in use at UBC since 2016, and went through an extensive pilot.
Explore findings from the Mattermost evaluation report, including instructor and student feedback.