Top Hat

 

Top Hat is an engagement and dynamic courseware platform that provides instructors with multiple ways to engage students, including online homework, interactive content and in-class activities and polls. Top Hat allows students to use any web-enabled device (i.e., laptop, tablets, smartphones) to participate.

Texas Tech University has partnered with Top Hat to provide their engagement solution to all students, faculty and staff at no additional cost. In courses where an instructor uses a Top Hat textbook or other content for a fee, students will be asked to purchase access during the registration process, and can  purchase directly from the institution’s bookstore.

Transforming Student Engagement

As you continue preparing for the Spring semester, here are some key Top Hat resources for TTU Faculty: 

Copy Content: In your course lobby, use the new course copy feature to transfer existing content into a new shell on Top Hat. If you’d prefer, you can email support@tophat.com for assistance with course creation/copying content. 
Please note, the course copy feature does not support Multi-Section courses. If you need assistance copying a Multi-Section course, please reach out to Support or your designated Top Hat Representative. 

Canvas Integration: Once you’ve created your courses in Top Hat, activate the integration with Canvas to enable one-click enrolment and grade synchronization. Review this step by step guide to get started. 

Syllabus Insert: Once you have established the integration, adapt this suggested syllabus language to help introduce your students to Top Hat. As a reminder, the student roster updates once every 24 hours; to ensure students are not dropped from the roster, they must access Top Hat via the direct link in your Canvas navigation at least once per course, per a semester. 

Have a question? Join a virtual office hours session where Top Hat experts will be available to answer any and all questions about the platform, Canvas integration and more. Use the links below to register: 

• Thursday, November 6th from 9:00am - 9:30am - Zoom Link
• Tuesday, November 11th from 11:00am - 12:00pm - Zoom Link
• Thursday, November 20th from 2:00pm - 3:00pm - Zoom Link 

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Getting Started

To get started using Top Hat, sign up and create an account at tophat.com/start. Login using your eRaider credentials, and for a more detailed overview, access this quick start guide. 

Integrate Top Hat with RaiderCanvas 

Top Hat seamlessly integrates with RaiderCanvas, enabling one-click enrollment and gradebook synchronization. Learn more about securely launching your Top Hat course from RaiderCanvas and how to activate the integration using this custom guide for Texas Tech University. 

Once you have connected Top Hat with RaiderCanvas, use this suggested syllabus language to walk students through the signup process. 

General Help & Support: 

Top Hat’s dedicated support is available to all faculty, staff and students and can be reached:

• Through the in-app live chat
• By emailing support@tophat.com
• By dialling (888) 663-5491
• By submitting the Support Contact Form

Dedicated Faculty Support 

Have a question? Contact TTU’s dedicated Services Manager, Sumi Voora at sumi.voora@tophat.com, schedule a 1:1 support session or sign up for an upcoming webinar to help you drive engagement in your courses before, during and after class. 

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Affordable Content 

There are three content areas faculty can explore in addition to the engagement tools available with our strategic partnership. 

1. Interactive eTexts: Top Hat’s digital textbooks include multimedia, diverse perspectives, and auto-graded assessments that integrate with RaiderCanvas. These low-cost or affordably priced titles can be accessed on Top Hat’s Content Catalog.  
2. Interactive OpenStax: Top Hat has partnered with OpenStax Publishing to enhance a number of titles with interactive features, including embedded auto-graded assessment, for a richer learning experience. These eTexts are available to all TTU students at no cost through the Top Hat platform. Learn more and review the list of titles.
3. Custom Solutions: Create tailored course materials with Top Hat’s instructional design and project management support, meeting your timeline and affordability goals.

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