2020 Flexible Teaching

​​Greetings and welcome back to our weekly teaching blog. I hope that everyone has been able to rest, relax and perhaps find a bit of time to catch up on teaching research (pre and post COVID). Since faculty reading this blog are located in different parts of the world, which now have different teaching modes, I will try to provide a broad sense of teaching approaches for your consideration.

As we prepare for the upcoming term, chances are high that we are considering how we might integrate flexibility in our teaching, since some of us may be starting the term face-to-face (F2F), then transition; or perhaps the opposite (beginning online, then migrating to F2F instruction). In either case, I would like to share a few ideas to consider when updating your course syllabus.

The California State University reminds us to address Alternate Assessments, Equity, Privacy and Disability Accommodations. They share the following resources:

• Cal Poly Options for Virtual Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation

• Rutgers Alternative Assessments (Take at home assessments, Annotated bibliography, E-Portfolio, Non-Traditional Projects, Infographic)

• UC Berkley Alternatives to Traditional Assessment

• How Can Students Generate Evidence of Their Learning in a Remote World? Recording of the April 2020 by the Association for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-Based Learning.

Syllabus ideas from Rochester Institute of Technology and LSU suggest considering:

• Course modality (online, hybrid, blended, hyflex [2D, 3D], F2F, other) - session format, a/synchronous

• Participation expectations as related to modality

• Attendance expectations as related to modality

• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) expectations (Face covering specifications)

• Maintaining Community Safety Best Practices

• Continuity of instruction for faculty

• Continuity of learning for students

• University Computer Use

• Netiquette (videoconferencing details)

• If our University is forced to close

• Technology in and outside of the formal classroom

• Student Health (use of the Daily Tracker System and what do to if you experience symptoms)

• Key dates (our semester dates have changes)

• Inclusive, Accessible learning environment

• Accessing computer lab software remotely

• Articulation of how office [virtual] hours will be conducted

• How to reach the instructor outside of class

• How to join the class remotely

I hope that these brief updates add a bit to our on-going pursuit of teaching effectiveness. I welcome further topics, questions and ideas.