Below we outline some tips and resources about making a quick transition from a
Below we outline some tips and resources about making a quick transition from a face-to-face course to an alternate/online environment. This guide is not meant to serve as an online teaching resource/program/training. Rather, it is designed to provide resources on how to quickly adapt a course and teach remotely under exceptional circumstances.
General Principles
- Prioritize compassion – students may be experiencing significant stress for many different reasons.
- Be flexible – Understand that unusual circumstances will require you to remain flexible in your teaching methods and activities. Strive for flexibility in your teaching methods and with your students.
- Remain calm and supportive in all your communications with students.
- Understand students’ unique situations – for example, international students in may be under significant stress (summer plans, anxiety about family back home, financial uncertainty or even an inability to return home).
- Access – keep in mind that not all of your students might have access to the technology or fast enough internet access to connect all the time. Accommodations may need to be made in these circumstances to allow everyone to complete the necessary activities.
- Be student focused – Remember that teaching is about student learning. Students are at the heart of what we do.
- Be proactive – Being prepared now will ensure that you are ready for any potential disruption.
- Go back to your outcomes – Think about what are the essential outcomes your students need to meet by the end of the semester.
- Keep it simple – An online course can take 18 months to design and prepare effectively. The goal right now is to help students meet the outcomes of your course.
- Consider Asynchronous Frist – Asynchronous may provide the most flexibility for you and your students. There are a number of ways to delivery content such as email, Moodle, discussion forms, etc.
What are you trying to do online?
Communicate with Students
- Talk early, talk often. Let your students know what you’re planning. Without creating panic, invite your students into your conversations about ways forward.
- Ensure students know how to contact you and that you have their proper contact details. Ensure students know how to contact one another. Consider making alternative modes of contact available.
- If you have an established pattern and channel of contact, continue to use that. If not, now is the time to establish this.
- Talk to your students about their level of connectivity and digital engagement.
- Consider that many students may be accessing content primarily or solely on their phones.
- Ideally, use Moodle announcements, discussion boards, university email. Using what’s already in place saves your energy for other tasks.
- Think about hosting virtual office hours.
Create a Communication Plan
Once you have identified communication channels for you and your students, their accessibility needs and type of communication asynchronous (not concur