During weather disruptions, faculty face uncertainty about whether it is possible to teach. Guidelines from the Office of the Provost encourage us to consider teaching remotely where possible while campus remains closed.
Here are some ideas to keep in mind if you are going to teach remotely while campus is closed due to weather delays:
Communicate Your Plans
Communicate with your students about your intentions for the campus closure period. Encourage and remind students to check their official olemiss.edu email often.
Consider Your Initial Format
Some classes have already undergone a good deal of transformation toward supporting remote teaching. Other classes remain more closely tied to a face-to-face format. How much shift do you need to create to make the most of the time you have this week? If you cannot reach all of your teaching goals due to the limitations of weather and technology, can you support partial progress toward your goals?
Design student participation as “opt-in” where possible
Students may not have regular access to technology, even if they live on campus. Indeed, you too may face problems with access to technology. Therefore think of this time before we return to “normal” operations as optional rather than required. What types of activities will support learning for those students who are able to participate, and not penalize students who are not able to join?
Postpone assessments and high stakes assignments
Given that not all students will be able to participate in whatever you design to accommodate the weather closure, assessments and high stakes assignments will not be possible without equitable options for students who are not able to participate. Consider delaying these if at all possible. If not, consider extending timelines for submission.
Design alternative options for those unable to join
Instructors who choose to use synchronous meetings for their classes should be prepared to offer clear options for those who cannot attend synchronously, for example, not counting absences against students unable to attend, making recordings available, and extending windows for completion of quizzes and assignments to overlap with campus reopening.
Limit Synchronous Sessions (Zoom) To Your Scheduled Class Time
If you plan on conducting opt-in Zoom sessions with students, be certain to restrict them to your scheduled course times as listed on the official schedule.
Consider low-energy solutions for teaching
Oxford Utilities has asked us to conserve electricity. Consider teaching options that take into consideration power shortages and having to limit electricity use.