Academic Planning for H1N1: Strategies for Instructors at the University of Toronto

Transcription

1 Academic Planning fr H1N1: Strategies fr Instructrs at the University f Trnt As nted in the recent PDAD&C Mem (#8, dated 7 August 2009; the University strngly urges all instructrs t plan fr ptential situatins in which students, instructrs, and teaching assistants miss a number f classes/labs/cmmunity placements r are unable t cmplete/mark assignments due t illness. Given that this planning will likely require instructrs t make changes t their curse t accmmdate any interruptins, instructrs are advised t cnsider cntingency plans nw as they finalize the arrangements fr the delivery f their curses. In the event that ur cmmunity is affected by H1N1, it is pssible that ne f several scenaris may impact yur curses. Yu may find that several f yur students are ill r are caring fr ill dependents and require individual accmmdatin t ensure that they are able t cntinue with their curse wrk. Yu may fall ill and require alternative means f cmmunicating with yur students r f administering class activities. Finally, in a severe utbreak, it may be necessary fr the institutin t cancel ne r mre class sessins in which case yu might adpt alternative mdes f cntinuing curse instructin. In each f these scenaris it may becme necessary t adapt the delivery and administratin f classes and related academic prcedures (e.g. lectures/seminars/labs, assignments, grading, etc.). This might mst readily be dne thrugh technlgical means, sme f which may benefit frm early cnsideratin. The Centre fr Teaching Supprt & Innvatin (CTSI)*, in cnsultatin with clleagues frm acrss the University, will wrk t assist instructrs in the creatin f cntingency plans. We have develped a range f strategies that faculty may use in preparatin fr and/r during any utbreak n ur campuses. CTSI will cntinue t update these resurces ver the cming weeks and we encurage faculty t visit the University s Preparedness website regularly fr new infrmatin ( [*The Centre fr Teaching Supprt and Innvatin (CTSI) was created in July 2009 thrugh the amalgamatin f the Office f Teaching Advancement (OTA), including the Teaching Assistants Training Prgram (TATP), and the Resurce Centre fr Academic Technlgy (RCAT). CTSI prvides leadership in teaching and learning at the University f Trnt and prvides supprt fr pedaggy and pedaggydriven instructinal technlgy fr all teaching staff and graduate teaching assistants acrss all f the university s campuses and divisins.] PRE COURSE PLANNING Instructrs shuld speak with their departments/divisins prir t the start f their class regarding prcedures pertaining t the administratin f curses (e.g. grading and grade reprting plicies including imprtant dates, prcedures relating t instructr absences, etc.). Instructrs shuld cnsider the fllwing as they wrk tward finalizing their plans fr curses t be delivered in the upcming academic year: University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

2 Curse Syllabus: Be sure t have a curse syllabus prepared in advance f yur first class meeting. CTSI staff are available t assist in the develpment f curse/instructr prcedures that align with institutinal plicies. See als the CTSI tip sheet n develping a curse syllabus at: Include the fllwing statement n yur curse utline t direct yur student t relevant infrmatin abut H1N1 planning: Students are advised t cnsult the university s preparedness site ( fr infrmatin and regular updates regarding prcedures relating t H1N1 planning and individual student respnsibilities. Pst the syllabus n yur curse site (e.g. Blackbard) t ensure that students have nging access t this imprtant dcument. Cnsider apprpriate strategies that may facilitate the administratin f a curse during student r instructr absences r class cancellatins. In particular, yu may wish t develp r adapt prcedures abut: Excused absences. Sme instructrs assign a prtin f the curse grade based n participatin r attendance, r will nt accept late assignments except fr a verified medical emergency. Please keep in mind that during a pandemic students may be asked nt t visit the dctr s ffice unless their illness is especially severe, and therefre may nt be able t btain a dctr s nte dcumenting their illness. Yu may wish t develp alternative prcedures fr participatin, absences r late submissin f assignments that d nt require verificatin f illness. Assignment submissins. During a pandemic students may have limited access t campus because f illness r ther interruptins. Cnsider whether yu wish t allw fr alternative means f submitting assignments. Yur prcedures can clarify acceptable mdes f submissin (e.g. in persn, by , thrugh Turnitin) and any additinal details r requirements abut each mde. Fr example, if yu will be accepting assignments by , yu might want t specify acceptable dcument frmats. Cmmunicatin. Clear guidelines abut means f cmmunicatin can help ensure that students can reach yu and that yu can reach students quickly in the event f changes t curse schedules r requirements and that students can receive curse cmmunicatin if absent. Yu may wish t develp a plicy that clarifies yur expectatins fr student access t cmmunicatin frm yu fr example, yu might cnsider including the requirement that students regularly (e.g. daily) check their UTrnt address r Blackbard fr annuncements. Turnitin Turnitin incrprates a reliable means f accepting assignments electrnically. Even if yu dn t plan t use Turnitin, including the Turnitin disclaimer n yur curse syllabus wuld prvide yu with the ptin f using Turnitin t accept assignments electrnically later in the semester. Fr mre infrmatin n Turnitin, please see: University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

3 The Cnditins f Use gverning ur Turnitin license, including the required syllabus statement, are available at: Assignments & Grading: Instructrs are asked t prvide cpies f their tests and exams t the department/divisin in advance f their scheduled date. This will allw departments/divisins t administer the tests r exams in the event that an instructr is absent due t H1N1. In the case f a significant H1N1 utbreak yu may find that sme r all f yur class activities r assignments might be mre cnveniently administered remtely. Cnsider means f adapting assignments and activities s they can be delivered thrugh alternative methds (see Pssible Teaching Strategies belw fr sme suggestins) shuld this becme necessary. Identify whether these methds will require access t additinal resurces r infrmatin (e.g. technlgical slutins, student cntact infrmatin). Mst administrative and many pedaggical elements f the curse can be managed thrugh Blackbard (see belw fr a detailed listing f the range f tls available thrugh Blackbard). CTSI staff members are available t prvide supprt and resurces t assist in the design, adaptatin and implementatin f assignments. Instructrs are reminded f the University f Trnt Grading Practices Plicy which states that "Student perfrmance in a curse shall be assessed n mre than ne ccasin. N ne essay, test, examinatin, etc. shuld have a value f mre than 80% f the grade. " and "At least ne piece f term wrk which is a part f the evaluatin f a student perfrmance, whether essay, lab reprt, review, etc., shall be returned t the student prir t the last date fr withdrawal frm the curse withut academic penalty." The inclusin f multiple pints f evaluatin allws fr the pssibility f drpping and re weighting assignments if s required. Please keep in mind that the UfT Grading Practices Plicy states that after the methds f evaluatin have been made knwn the instructr may nt change them r their relative weight withut the cnsent f at least a simple majrity f the students enrlled in the curse. Any changes shall be reprted t the divisin r the department (II.2 b). Hwever, if an interruptin t the academic prgram is declared mre flexible prcedures may be implemented. Please see: fr the full Grading Practices Plicy dcument. Cmmunicatin Strategies: Cnsider hw yu will cmmunicate with the students in yur class if yu are ill r if large numbers f yur students are ill. This might be thrugh r the cmmunicatin tls n Blackbard. Identify the necessary infrmatin yu r yur students will need t be able t use these means f cmmunicatin effectively (e.g. hme access t a cmputer, addresses, familiarity with Blackbard, etc.) and ensure that there is a plan in place t discuss this infrmatin with students early n in the curse. Identify Clleagues t Prvide Instructinal Assistance: As yu review yur curse utline, identify clleagues r graduate students wh might be able t act as a substitute fr particular curse tpics. Make sure yu have their cntact University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

4 infrmatin, and cnsider canvassing their interest and availability in filling this rle, if necessary. In the case f an absence, yu may als want t create a substitute class plan that anther clleague culd fllw in the case f yur absence. This plan culd include a range f alternative learning activities and resurces that d nt demand any additinal preparatin n their part. Key Cntacts and Resurces: Knw wh t cntact in yur department r divisin and what prcedure t fllw if yu fall ill. Please als see Resurces belw fr links t additinal pedaggical and administrative supprt services. BLACKBOARD ABILITIES: The institutinally supprted learning management system, Blackbard, includes a number f tls that can assist faculty in the delivery f curse materials and cntent, can strengthen cmmunicatin between and amng instructrs and students, and can enable a range f engagement strategies. Within Blackbard, instructrs are able t: Pst curse materials Pst/link t readings Cllect/Dwnlad/Mark/Return assignments Cnduct discussins Create quizzes Cnnect students t library and departmental resurces Send s and materials Pst annuncements Cnduct ffice hurs Crdinate with teaching staff Prvide grup cllabratin space Fr best practices relating t the use f sme f these Blackbard tls, please see: practices THE FIRST CLASS Curse Prcedures: Spend sme time in the first class cmmunicating yur curse prcedures; including thse (described abve) that might be particularly relevant shuld students (r the instructr) fall ill. Identify the key dates in yur curse assignment deadlines, majr in class activities, test dates, etc. Let students knw hw yu will be cmmunicating any changes t these dates (e.g. by , thrugh Blackbard). Please keep in mind the restrictins n changing grading prcedures (as nted abve and defined in the Grading Practices Plicy). University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

5 If any f yur students have access t a persnal r departmental scanner, cnsider sliciting vlunteer nte takers fr the curse. Nte takers shuld arrange t scan and their daily ntes t yu r a TA t be psted fr absent students n Blackbard. This can be c rdinated with any requests fr nte taking received thrugh Accessibility Services r the equivalent ffice n yur campus (i.e. nte takers can submit a cpy f their ntes bth t Accessibility Services and t a TA r instructr). Student Curse Cntacts: The simplest and mst secure way t cntact students is thrugh the Blackbard Send feature, which is autmatically synced with curse rsters thrugh ROSI and sends cmmunicatin t a valid fficial (i.e. utrnt.ca) address. Blackbard annuncements can als be cpied directly t students addresses. If yu wuld prefer t cmmunicate with students thrugh , yu will need t cllect student addresses. If yu cllect student addresses n the first day, make sure that yu als btain the addresses f students wh add the curse after the first class. Ask students t identify ne r tw peer cntacts in the curse and btain their address r phne number (if yu wish, hand ut a frm r leave space n the syllabus fr this purpse). Express that yu hpe that students will supprt each ther (e.g. by cmmunicating class annuncements, sharing ntes) in the event f absences but that it is the respnsibility f the absent student t request such favurs ahead f the missed class and t arrange fr cnvenient means f btaining the relevant infrmatin frm their cntact. If students d nt wish t share this respnsibility they shuld refrain frm sharing their cntact infrmatin. Let students knw that they will benefit by verifying that they have access t the fllwing: Cntact infrmatin f ne r tw ther students in the curse A cmputer that is nt in a U f T lab fr example, in a residence rm r at hme UTrnt (nt frwarded!!) Blackbard curses Online library resurces Infrmatin n campus health services and pandemic infrmatin Als remind students t update cntact infrmatin n ROSI and any ther relevant system. DURING THE COURSE Instructrs are asked t encurage students wh are feeling ill with flu like symptms t refrain frm attending class r cming t campus. Similarly, instructrs shuld als remain at hme if they are experiencing flu like symptms. Instructrs are encuraged t find alternate methds fr administering curse materials n a regular and nging basis t students, in the event that they fall ill r need t remain hme t care fr family members. This may invlve the psting f materials n curse web sites r in Blackbard r the prvisin f materials t clleagues r departmental administratrs fr distributin t students. University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

6 Instructrs are asked t abide by set university plicies and regulatins in relatin t the administratin and delivery f their curses. Any change t divisinal r institutinal plicies will be cmmunicated thrugh the preparedness website, institutinal and divisinal memranda, and ther means f cmmunicatin. Instructrs are asked t regularly encurage their students t visit the preparedness website fr updates as this will be the primary means f cmmunicatin t the university cmmunity. In additin, instructrs themselves are asked t visit this site regularly fr updates. POSSIBLE TEACHING STRATEGIES Online Learning Activities: The fllwing is a list f n line activities that instructrs can use t help supplement their curses in the case f cancelled lectures r large numbers f absent students. If yu plan t adpt a tl that yu have nt taught with befre, such as a discussin bard, it is recmmended that yu plan t use it, at least in sme capacity, frm the beginning f the term. This allws yu and yur students t becme familiar with it early n, rather than requiring yu t learn the tl during a class interruptin. We als encurage yu t cntact CTSI staff fr assistance in implementing any f the fllwing tls r strategies. Discussin based Strategies Jigsaw Jigsaw activities are characterized by learners within a hme grup specializing in ne aspect f a tpic f study and then presenting back t their peers. Students can als meet with members frm ther grups wh are assigned the same aspect s that they becme experts. They then return t their hme grup t teach the infrmatin t the ther members in their grup. The gal is that all hme grup members master all aspects f the tpic f study. The grup learning can take place in face t face cnversatins, r thrugh nline discussin frums r thrugh mre frmalized writing, such as a paper r reflectin. Jigsaw activities can prvide pprtunities fr instructr, peer r self assessment. Resurces needed: Grup discussin frums r assignment submissin prcedure Tpics and guiding questins Access t apprpriate resurces and research materials Grup Presentatin/Mderatin Small grups prepare presentatins and supprting materials as they wuld fr a presentatin in a face t face class but the presentatin is dne thrugh a discussin frum ver a lnger time frame, i.e. a week. Presenters can als prepare a number f questins fr their classmates t help generate discussin. A number f presentatins can be cnducted simultaneusly in separate frums. Online cllabratin space fr each grup allws the instructr t wrk with each grup t help them cver the crrect cntent and identify apprpriate resurces. Resurces needed: Grup and class discussin frums University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

7 Tpics and guiding questins Access t apprpriate resurces and research materials Ask an expert (r Questin develpment) As a class r in small grups students develp questins fr a guest lecturer. The activity can be cnducted befre r after a guest lecture, r fr a fictitius r histrical figure. A fllw up exercise culd have the students researching and answering each thers questins r students culd research and play the rle f the expert. This activity can als be a great way t include members f the cmmunity wh cannt physically cme t class, fr reasn f lcatin r because f an interruptin f classes. The guest can recrd their presentatin and send it t the instructr fr distributin, the instructr can then send chsen questins t the guest, and pst the respnses back t the class. Resurces needed: Discussin frum A guest lecturer r expert Study Guide Develpment Using a discussin frum students develp and answer questins they wuld expect t see n an exam. The instructr can als develp sme sample questins t demnstrate the types f questins they are expecting. T help demnstrate the value f the activity the instructr can chse a handful f questins t use in an assessment. Resurces needed: Discussin frum Structured Discussin A structured discussin generally sets smewhat frmal expectatins fr student behaviur in terms f cntributins. Fr example, instructrs may ask fr three substantive psts a week: ne presenting a new idea, ne refuting a peer s idea, and ne supprting a peer s idea. Students cntribute t tpical r weekly based discussins that tie in with lecture cntent and readings. Instructrs can have prepared questins r tpics t guide the cnversatin and generally facilitate the discussin rather than answer student inquiries. Resurces needed: Discussin frum Other Strategies: Independent Study/Research Using nline cmmunicatin tls (discussin frums, , etc.) students wrk independently reviewing r researching tpics. Instructrs can interact with these students individually r in grups t help them cnnect what they are researching with curse utcmes. Students can als ask questins and discuss tpics with the instructr and peers electrnically. Resurces needed: Access t research materials University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

8 Cmmunicatin tls t distribute instructins and answer questins Virtual Office Hurs Instructrs, TAs r ther teaching staff can prvide assistance t r virtually meet with students via nline cmmunicatin tls withut requiring a face t face meeting. Simple tls like r a discussin frum allw ill students t send cmmunicatin when they are capable, and synchrnus chats allw instructrs t still maintain their ffice hurs. Resurces needed: , Discussin Frum, r Chat OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS TO ASSIST INSTRUCTORS A number f technlgical slutins will be made available fr instructrs t assist them in the delivery f curses impacted by H1N1. Mre detailed infrmatin regarding hw these ptins can best be used fr teaching purpses is frthcming. [Please nte: there may be csts assciated with sme f these technlgies. We recmmend that yu cntact CTSI staff fr mre infrmatin prir t implementatin.] Audi cnferencing Instructrs f small curses (with a maximum enrllment f 20) may wish t use the University f Trnt s audi cnferencing system, rganized thrugh an agreement with Bell Cnferencing Services. This allws instructrs t cnduct live discussins with students ver the telephne. Participants are prvided with a phne number t call thrugh which they will be linked tgether fr the grup audi cnference. There are charges fr this service fr which the instructr will be respnsible. Please see: fr mre infrmatin. Webinars Webinars cnnect participants ver the phne and prvide shared access t the instructr s desktp (n which instructr s can shw curse materials, slides, etc.). Students will be prvided with a phne number and web site address and access cde t participate in a Webinar, administered by Bell Cnferencing Services. It is recmmended that this ptin nly be used fr grups f 20 r less. There are charges fr this service fr which the instructr will be respnsible.. Please see: fr mre infrmatin. Lecture Capture Sftware The university will be prviding Camtasia lecture capture sftware that allws instructrs t recrd lecture audi and sync this recrding with presentatin sftware. Recrded lectures will be upladed and made available t students thrugh web streaming frm a central library server. There will be n charge t use this sftware, thugh limits n uplading and streaming may need t be impsed based n demand. Tip sheets and training materials will be made available shrtly and cntact infrmatin fr individuals wh can prvide technical and pedaggical supprt will be made available n the University Preparedness web site at: University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

9 Instructrs wh wish t take advantage f this ptin are reminded t cmply with Canadian laws in relatin t the use f cpyrighted materials. Fr mre infrmatin, please see the Cpyright FAQs fr University f Trnt Instructrs guide available at: r cntact Pam Gravestck in the Centre fr Teaching Supprt & Innvatin at with mre specific questins. Studi Recrdings In sme cases, instructrs will be able t have their lectures recrded and made available thrugh web streaming t students. Limited access t this service will be available n a besteffrts basis, and sme charges may apply based n instructrs affiliatin with the unit ffering the service. A number f lcatins acrss campus will be identified fr this purpse. Mre detailed infrmatin is frthcming. Videcnferencing In sme cases, videcnferencing may be a viable ptin fr the delivery f lectures/seminars. Interested faculty shuld cntact CTSI staff t discuss needs, t determine suitability f this methd f delivery, and t review available lcatins and technlgical requirements. Additinal infrmatin is available at: andcllabratin/vide cnferencing.htm. Skype T cnduct meetings with small grups f undergraduate/graduate students r t hld ffice hurs, instructrs may wish t use Skype, a free prgram. An installatin guide is available at: and cllabratin/vide cnferencing.htm. University f Trnt (18 September 2009)

10 RESOURCES Services and Supprt ffered thrugh the Center fr Teaching Supprt & Innvatin (CTSI): Faculty are welcme t cntact CTSI fr assistance with any f the fllwing (cntact infrmatin prvided belw): Blackbard accunt and set up Pedaggical advice regarding the use f Blackbard tls Advice n assignment design, syllabus cntent and the establishment f curse prcedures Advice n apprpriate technlgical alternatives fr class delivery r cmmunicatin with students Infrmatin n relevant academic plicies Phne: ctsi.teaching@utrnt.ca Web: Additinal supprt is available thrugh: Centre fr Teaching & Learning, UTSC Clare Hasenkampf, Directr Phne: hasenkampf@utsc.utrnt.ca Web: Office f the Vice Principal Academic and Dean, UTM Lynn Snwden, Assistant Dean Phne: lynn.snwden@utrnt.ca Cnducting Online Discussins Cnrad, R. (2004). In Dnaldsn J. A. (Ed.), Engaging the nline learner: Activities and resurces fr creative instructin (1st ed. ed.). San Francisc, Calif.: Jssey-Bass. MacKnight, C. (2000). Teaching critical thinking thrugh nline discussins. EDUCAUSE Quarterly, 23(4), Pallff, R. M. (2005). In Pratt K. (Ed.), Cllabrating nline: Learning tgether in cmmunity (1st ed. ed.). San Francisc: Jssey-Bass. University f Trnt (18 September 2009)