We will update this page with new communications throughout the semester.
Table of Contents
Past Updates
MAY 14, 2020
We hope your week is going well. While each instructor faces a different set of circumstances this summer, we will strive to provide information that helps you leverage technology to strengthen the courses you teach and the research you conduct. As always, we invite your questions, suggestions and success stories. We are here to help.
Today’s topics:
- Online course transition survey
- Re-imagining hands-on courses online
- Setting expectations for students
- ITS accessibility workshops
Online Course Transition Survey
The Office of Academic Affairs invites faculty who taught one or more courses that transitioned online after Spring Break to share their perspectives and experiences via the Online Course Transition Survey. If you have not responded yet, please check for an email from Chris Johnson and LaVonda Reed that includes a Qualtrics link to the survey. Another survey was sent to all students taking at least one face-to-face course this semester. Together, these surveys will provide useful information for planning in academic operations.
Re-Imagining Hands-On Courses Online
As recently discussed by Inside Higher Ed, it is a challenge to modify hands-on courses for the online environment. Comprising staff from the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, the Center for Online and Digital Learning, and Information Technology Services, our faculty support team can help you develop ways to implement hands-on courses. Contact help@syr.edu for assistance.
Setting Expectations for Students
To help your students succeed in any course, it’s important to explain your course expectations, rubrics and policies from the outset. For example, if there will be required synchronous components, provide the dates and times for those as soon as possible. Also be sure to explain why those particular components need to happen synchronously and what effect missing a synchronous component would have on a student’s grade. Learn more about creating a community in your online course.
ITS Accessibility Workshops
ITS accessibility workshops help you understand technology accessibility, put it into practice and support the University’s efforts to create a more accessible, inclusive campus. You can view recordings of past sessions on Answers.
Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed. In addition to our regular communications, you also can refer to our archive of previous messages and follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter.
Thank you for all you do for your students and for Syracuse University. Go Orange!
MAY 12, 2020
Whether you are teaching a summer course or preparing for the fall semester (or both), we will continue to provide updates and tips to help you create the best learning opportunities possible. Please continue to visit the Academic Continuity Resources toolkit, which we will update as needed. In addition to our regular communications, you also can refer to our archive of previous messages and follow ITS on Instagram and Twitter.
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When designing online tests, it’s important to consider such issues as academic integrity, learning objectives and resource availability. Read these best practices for testing in an online environment.
ITS Accessibility Workshops
ITS accessibility workshops help you understand technology accessibility, put it into practice and support the University’s efforts to create a more accessible, inclusive campus. You can view recordings of past sessions on Answers.
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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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