MARCH 13: COVID-19 Update
Faculty Update from the Center for Learning & Teaching
Dear Faculty,
The Center for Learning and Teaching is ready to assist you with the transition to remote instruction! Classes will resume via remote instruction on Monday March 23 (please do not resume before then).
Please read this email carefully. It contains information and links to resources you may find helpful. Reviewing these materials, starting with the CLT website, should be your first step as you move your courses online. We will be updating the website multiple times a day to add new resources.
Teaching Continuity – Coronavirus Response is the main resource on the CLT website for the present situation. Wondering where to start, especially in the first week? This page is the “on-ramp”. It provides an overview of top priorities for moving courses online and is applicable to any course. We emphasize keeping the course on track through content, interaction, and assessment, and provide strategies that are straightforward and accessible for people with all levels of familiarity with Canvas.
As we develop more resources, this page will direct you to the following:
- Specific guidance for effective remote instruction
- A template you can add to your Canvas courses to streamline the transition to remote instruction
- Enhanced self-service resources for using Canvas and video conferencing via Google Hangouts/Meet
- Schedule and sign-ups for upcoming webinars on remote teaching and Canvas tools
- Information about one-on-one consultations with the CLT or other Canvas support volunteers.
- The Office of Accessibility’s Remote Instruction Accessibility Guide
- Further resources to be determined
We understand that each faculty member’s needs are different. In order to dedicate our resources appropriately, we ask that you fill out this very quick survey, created in collaboration with Dr. Ellen Zeman and Dr. Roz Whitaker-Heck, so we can assess campus needs. If you do not feel that you need assistance, please fill out the form anyway; it helps us know that we are not missing anyone. If you need individual assistance, please use the tools on the CLT website to seek additional help.
You should also be aware that remote instruction may change your responses to your students’ accessibility needs. Meeting these needs is essential. The Office of Accessibility writes:
In light of the recent move to remote instruction, we created a Remote Instruction Accessibility Guide to support you in ensuring all students will have access to your courses and materials. Access the guide here. The Office of Accessibility is your first stop for any and all questions related to remote instruction accessibility, so please contact us so that we may assist and support you:
Email: accessibility@champlain.edu
Phone: (802) 865-5764
Please note that the letters of accommodation that you received this semester are still active. If there are any changes to a student’s accommodations, the Office of Accessibility will contact you directly or send a new letter of accommodation. We look forward to working with you and please let us know if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Erin Ferrara, Associate Director
Anna Kreigh, Accessibility Coordinator
As always, we are available to help you individually. A large team of staff and faculty from the Library, Academic Technology, and Academic Support are coordinating to help you and your students. You can ask a question or arrange a consultation by emailing us at clt@champlain.edu. Due to the current closure of the Library, and in recognition that many people may prefer to confer remotely, we ask that all consultations be scheduled in advance. Please do not hesitate to contact us!
We know many faculty have specific questions related to the use of campus labs, student internships or placements and more. We are working on developing answers to these questions for you. For now, please refer to The View’s FAQ page which is updated regularly.
Thanks,
Rebecca Mills, Freddy Angel, and Caroline Toy
Center for Teaching and Learning
