Teaching Online

Don’t be afraid to change your syllabus. Decide on the most essential ideas/concepts/skills that students need to learn. Provide them a way to learn those ideas/concepts/skills. Ask them to demonstrate that learning.

Reallocate mandatory attendance points to other activities (such as discussion boards) so students can still “show up to class” and participate.

Consider changing group/team projects. Or at least ask your students if they’re realistically able to do group work remotely. If it will be overly burdensome or complicated (for you or for your students) convert those projects into individual projects.

Remove arbitrary time limits on assignments/assessments and give students more time to complete tasks. Remember that the overall goal is to have students demonstrate their learning; not to cause undue stress for students to complete tasks as if they were in a physical classroom.

If giving a timed exam/assignment, give more time than you normally would if given in class. The additional clicks, new format, distractions, etc. will cause students to slow down. Have at least one person test out your assessment in advance. Emphasize to students that they need to eliminate as many distractions as possible since the assessment is timed. Provide a way for students to get a hold of you (or your TA) if there are issues, other than just email. One option is Google Voice – this allows students to text or call without having to give out your personal cell phone number (and is free if WiFi is available). And, as always, have a backup if the technology fails.

If you’re teaching multiple courses, consider using the same teaching method in each course. It will make your life easier.

Maintain regular lines of communication with your students. Communicate clearly and concisely what you expect them to accomplish each week.

Send your students regular messages of encouragement and kindness. Be patient. Whatever obstacles you’re facing (access to technology, caring for family, etc.) your students are similarly facing. So much of good teaching is about caring, yet the value of caring is often under-acknowledged in higher education. Show your students that you care.

Videoconferencing Alternatives: How Low-Bandwidth Teaching Will Save Us All

Special Edition, Chronicle of Higher Education, Teaching Online

I Will Survive, Coronavirus version for teachers going online