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Moving Courses to Remote Delivery

Moving Courses to Remote Delivery

Important steps:

  1. Develop a communication plan: Determine how you will contact your students. Choose one method (Course distribution lists, Canvas email, Canvas Announcements, or Remind.com) and remain consistent. Consider sending them our GCC Student Tips for Learning Remotely (pdf).
  2. Look at course outcomes and review your current syllabus and assignments: It may be necessary to review your current assignments and make changes and adjustments based on teaching remotely while still covering the course outcomes. Simplify where possible.
  3. Assess the current situation: Evaluate your comfort with the different options for teaching remotely. Do what is easiest, comfortable, and still covers the course content. Contact the CTLE for help deciding what remote teaching methods would work best for you.
  4. Focus on good enough: We will be online for the rest of the semester, so look for ways to make changes that aren’t too overwhelming to you or your students. It is important to meet the course competencies, but don’t put too much extra pressure on you or your students. Borrow what you can, create what you need, and ask for help.

Quick ways to move your current teaching methods to remote access:

Lectures or other presentations

  • What you can do:
    • Review available resources to see if there are videos or other materials that you can use to cover your content. Utilize quality resources that are already created to minimize what you need to create.
    • Record an asynchronous lecture using a screencasting tool like Screencastify. Walk through a PowerPoint/Google Slide or show a website while adding audio. We recommend creating multiple small videos instead of one large one to make the creation more manageable and not overwhelm your students. Once you have made your video, download an MP4 file and upload it to YouTube. If you have been notified by DRS about a student in your course who needs captioning, please contact them for next steps. YouTube automatic captioning is helpful in the meantime.
    • Present your lectures synchronously through a virtual meeting. These lectures should be scheduled at the same time as your class meeting. See virtual meeting options (below).
  • Technology needed:
    • A computer, webcam, and microphone
    • internet access
  • How to help students with limited computer and internet access:
    • Encourage students to attend synchronously by phone. Select a virtual meeting option that allows recording, and share the recording in Canvas for students unable to attend synchronously. See virtual meeting options (below).

In-class discussions

  • What to do:
  • Technology needed:
    • A computer, webcam, and microphone
    • internet access
  • How to help students with limited computer and internet access:
    • Encourage students to attend synchronously by phone. Select a virtual meeting option that allows recording, and share the recording in Canvas for students unable to attend synchronously. See virtual meeting options (below).

In-class tests or quizzes

Provide handouts or paper-based assignments

  • What to do:
  • Technology needed: Canvas
  • How to help students with limited computer and internet access: Students can complete assignments by hand, take photos of their work using their phone camera with a free app like CamScanner, and email a pdf of their assignment to you.

Virtual Meeting Options

You have at least three options, listed below. Please use the information below, or (New) this virtual meeting tool comparison chart, to determine what will work best for you and your students. If you are unsure which option to choose please contact the CTLE for guidance.

Screen Recording Options

These tools are good for recording an asynchronous lecture and making a video available to students. Walk through a PowerPoint/Google Slide or show a website while adding audio. Optionally, you can record your webcam so students can see you, which is recommended especially if they have been with you face-to-face until now. The free version of these tools do not allow you to edit your video. Both tools have a quick learning curve.

Resources available at the CTLE:

Additional workshops will be added, as needed.

Final Steps

  • Keep communicating your plan: Continue to communicate with students regularly. Set a schedule that includes sending weekly messages and course updates in a consistent way.
  • Have patience with yourself and with your students: Try to remain flexible, communicate with students, and look to your colleagues and the CTLE for support.