PREPARE AND PRACTICE:
- Prioritize course requirements
- Become proficient with appropriate technologies, and digitizing course material on Canvas.
- Become familiar with our video conferencing and lecture tools.
PICK TOOLS AND APPROACHES THAT ARE FAMILIAR:
Try to rely on tools and workflows that are familiar to you and your students, and roll out new tools only when absolutely necessary. If a closure happens this may be already taxing, introducing a lot of new tools and approaches may leave even less energy and attention for learning.
ADDRESS EMERGENCIES AND EXPECTATIONS UP FRONT:
Students should know what will happen if classes are cancelled, including procedures you will implement. Consider doing this each semester, so you are ready in case of an emergency.
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR STUDENTS:
Even if you don't have a plan in place yet, communicate with your students as soon as possible, informing them that changes are coming and what your expectations are for communication (i.e. email, Canvas)
CONSIDER REALISTIC GOALS FOR CONTINUING INSTRUCTION:
- What do you think you can realistically accomplish during this time period?
- Do you think you can maintain your original syllabus and schedule?
- Do you hope students will keep up with the reading with some assignments to add structure and accountability?
You will want to keep them engaged with the course so think about how you are going to accomplish this.
REVIEW YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE TO DETERMINE PRIORITIES:
- Identify your priorities during the disruption
- providing lectures,
- structuring new opportunities for discussion or group work,
- collecting assignments, etc.
- What activities are better rescheduled, and what can or must be done online?
Give yourself a little flexibility in that schedule, just in case the situation takes longer to resolve than you think