Remote/Distance Learning Instruction Preparation

Check your remote teaching plan - what are the essential components for week one? What are your goals for this week, and do any of those goals rely on material that need to be converted to a digital format?

• Canvas Training for Faculty course
• Ask the library if they offer digital versions of your articles, books, or videos
• Draft an email with essential documents attached (i.e.: syllabus)

Send your "first-pass" message to students to inform them how you will communicate throughout the term, through what medium, and how often.

• Download the Outlook list for your roster through Bobcat
• Communicate to students directly through Canvas: How do I use the Inbox as an instructor?
• Post an Announcement in Canvas - How do I add an announcement in a course?

*Rosters are subject to change until 5PM the Friday before classes begin. You may wish to send this message more than once to include newly enrolled students.*

In your Welcome message, consider including this short survey to students. While this will not ultimately be the determinate of how you teach, having a better idea of where your students technology capabilities are can inform important decisions you need to make.

Student Remote Readiness Survey

For example, if less than half of the class has reliable home internet, requiring synchronous sessions on Zoom might not be successful and an asynchronous option should be considered.

By now you have completed a review of your course content for the first week or two of class, considered how you will deliver your essential content, and communicated critical information to your students. (Take a deep breath.)

Before the class officially opens, consider the information you have gathered. Is there anything glaringly missing? Are there stakeholders (your chair, admin, eLearning staff) who you need to contact for any information? Remember that you can control the availability of your course by clicking into your Canvas course, click Settings, click Course Details, then scroll down to set the course start and end date. 

To comply with COCC's Attendance Policy you'll still need to take attendance. Unlike a standard f2f attendance check on specific class days, you'll need to use an asynchronous attendance activity such as:

• Replying to your welcome email
• Participation in an online discussion board
• Submitting a short assignment, such as proof of completing the Orientation for Online Classes

*For remote and online courses, the date for your Attendance Requirement is flexible, as long as rosters are submitted to Admissions and Records before the Friday deadline.

As usual, there is likely to be much shuffling of students during the first week of term. If a student approaches you requesting a late add to your course, you will need to electronically approve them to register in Bobcat web (no blue slips!).

If you have students who are struggling to technology and access, you can refer them to Admissions and Records and/or eLearning.

Hopefully by day two or three of term you can start diving into the real curriculum of the course. Remember that there are best practices, pedagogical recommendations, and more tech resources available on the Tools and Resources for Faculty page.