We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
APRIL 16, 2020
The end of the semester can be stressful even under normal circumstances. We have outlined some tips and resources below, but please remember to give yourself permission to be flexible and to ask for help. We will make it through this together.
Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed. In addition to our regular communications each Tuesday and Thursday, you also can refer to our archive of previous messages, check out the ITS podcast and follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter for updates and tips.
Today’s topics:
• Faculty coaching
• Tips for finishing the semester well
• Discussions in Blackboard
• Reminder: Watch out for COVID-19 phishing scams
Faculty Coaching
Coaching is available to any instructor and might be especially valuable this semester as you adjust to the challenges of completing your courses online. Coaching takes many forms and can address issues of concern, including planning for the end of the semester, developing Maymester and summer course offerings, and planning for the fall semester.
Instructors who would like either a consultation or coaching can contact the faculty support team at help@syr.edu. This team includes representatives from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the Center for Online and Digital Learning, and Information Technology Services. The most appropriate support personnel will respond based on your specific question(s).
Tips for Finishing the Semester Well
In two weeks, we’ll complete this spring semester. Students will have to submit their final work to you and their other instructors. Everyone is working from home, which might not offer the optimal environment. How can we finish well together? Read these suggestions.
Discussions in Blackboard
As in a face-to-face course, instructors might want to engage their learners in discussions and group activities in an online environment. This requires planning. Read these tips for successful Blackboard discussions and then learn how to create a discussion board.
Reminder: Watch Out for COVID-19 Phishing Scams
The Information Security Department has seen increased reports of phishing messages that use COVID-19 as a pretext to get users to click on links. The emails promise government checks as part of the federal stimulus package or ask employees to click links to complete a “COVID-19 Payroll Adjustment.” Clicking on the links in the email usually results in a compromise of the user’s password or an attempt to download malware. Our students, faculty and staff are our best line of defense against phishers. Be extra vigilant during this time, and ask yourself these questions the next time you receive a suspicious email.
As always, we invite your questions, suggestions and success stories. Thank you for all you do for your students and for Syracuse University.
APRIL 14, 2020
We hope this email finds you well. Week in and week out, you are making a difference with your expertise and adaptability. Thank you for setting such a great example for your students as you help them navigate the remainder of the semester.
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This is not the semester that anyone envisioned. We realize that everyone’s situation is slightly different in terms of family, resources and more. Even so, please remember that you are not alone—we are all in this together. We look forward to helping you make the best of a challenging situation.
March 12, 2020
To support the transition to online course delivery effective at the end of the academic day on Friday, March 13, we will continue to send regular communications to ensure you have the most up-to-date information related to online teaching and learning. If you haven’t already, please bookmark the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit available at at Syracuse.edu/coronavirus/academic-continuity.
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