Academic Continuity During a Campus Closure
The purpose of developing an academic continuity plan is to be prepared with an alternative method for delivering instruction during a temporary campus closure. Remember that the goal of developing an instructional continuity plan is to identify a workable method or combination of methods for continuing your class in the event that you and your students are restricted from coming to campus for a week or longer. CLEAR offers these general tips for getting started with a continuity plan:
- Start planning early. It is important that you have made your plan ready well in advance of a closure.
- Keep it simple. Remember that you are planning for the possibility that the campus could be closed for a relatively short duration.
- Know your technical skills. If you are completely unfamiliar or uncomfortable with a technology, it may not be the best alternative for you to include in your plan.
Download CLEAR's Guide for Developing an Instructional Continuity Plan (PDF) here.
Find out about training opportunities here.
The Role of Web-based Technologies in Academic Continuity Planning
The CDC notes that web-based learning technologies may help institutions to promote self-isolation at home by non-resident faculty, students, and staff. The University of North Texas supports two technologies that offer academic departments with potential solutions for keeping in touch with students and continuing course activities during a campus closure.
- Blackboard Vista is a web-based course management system that allows instructors to communicate with students, post materials, and deliver and receive assignments within a secure, password-protected environment.
- Wimba Live Classroom is a virtual classroom space designed for live communication and collaboration. Wimba is available as a tool within every Bb Vista course site.
Academic departments may wish to include these tools in their instructional continuity plans. The Center for Learning Enhancement, Assessment, and Redesign (CLEAR) offers quick start guides, group training, and consulting for any UNT faculty member or department upon request.
Using Blackboard Vista as Part of an Instructional Continuity Plan
It is important that faculty members develop a campus closure back-up plan for delivering their courses as early as possible. Each instructor will need to:
- Request a course section on Blackboard Vista.
- Become familiar with the basic course management system tools and Wimba classroom by viewing demos, quick start guides (below), or by attending a training session.
- Identify and organize materials that need to be made available to students online. (It's a good idea to upload those materials in advance. The Part I: Preparing Your Content & Computer Settings guide provides step-by-step procedures for getting materials organized.)
- Examine the major assignments, activities, and assessments that would normally take place in the classroom and determine what could be moved online or what changes would need to be made to the original course delivery plan.
- Revise current syllabus or develop an alternate syllabus that will reflect the campus closure back-up plan should it need to be implemented.
CLEAR's instructional consultants (http://clear.unt.edu/go/ic) are available to consult with faculty and advise on a campus closure back-up plan that will meet their needs and the needs of their students. Please contact your instructional consultant or call 940-369-7394 to be referred to one.
Blackboard Vista and Wimba Quick Start Guides
CLEAR's instructional consultants have prepared the following guides to help faculty get started with the process of moving materials to Blackboard Vista and using the tools to manage assignments.
- Part I: Preparing Your Content & Computer Settings
This guide will tell you how to organize materials in preparation for uploading and will show you the steps to preparing your computer for using Blackboard Vista.
- Part II: Uploading Content & Creating Assignments
This guide provides instructions for:- Uploading a syllabus
- Creating folders for organizing handouts and other materials
- Uploading PowerPoint presentations, Word Documents, or PDF files
- Creating assignments using the assignment tool
- Posting announcements
- Sending course email
- Adding web links to your course
- Using Wimba Live Classroom
[for meeting live online with your students]
This guide provides an introduction to using Wimba Live Classroom. You will learn how to:- Use the Wimba Wizard to set up your computer
- Add a Live Classroom to your Blackboard Vista course
- Use the microphone to talk
- Upload a PowerPoint
- Present your slides
- Share your desktop
- Archive your session
Training
In order to help faculty prepare for a potential campus closure, CLEAR is offering hands-on training for departments and small groups.Contact Michelle Farley (michelle.farley@unt.edu) at 940-369-7670 to arrange a training session.
Upcoming Training Sessions |
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Online in Wimba Classroom: Download Pandemic Preparedness Training flyer. |
Ask your instructional consultant or contact Michelle Farley (michelle.farley@unt.edu) at 940-369-7670 to arrange a training session. |
Support
In the event of an extended campus closure, CLEAR will continue to provide faculty support on Blackboard Vista and Wimba Classroom by phone and through email.
Email: vistafac@unt.edu
Phone: (940) 369-7394