Educational Continuity Plan

CMU - Educational Continuity Plan

CMU Educational Continuity Plan: A response to H1N1 or other disruptions

The flu season is upon us and soon we may be experiencing bad weather. There is the possibility, for a variety of reasons, that you may not be able to attend class, that some students will miss classes, or that classes will be canceled by the university. Now is the time for you to develop contingency plans to provide instruction in ways other than the usual face-to-face format. FaCIT can help you implement technology-driven instruction including Blackboard, Wimba, podcasting, and others.

Continuity Kit: Preparation for Distance / Mobile Learning

  1. You may rely on Blackboard (Bb) as your main course management tool.
  2. Contact FaCIT at 774.3615 / facit@cmich.edu, or sign up for FaCIT's workshops for help using the following tools in your class:
    • View the Blackboard tutorials for a variety of online tools that facilitate, for example, doing assignments, quizzes/exams, groups, an early warning system, and email communications;
    • Wimba - a synchronous online collaboration tool within Bb where you can chat with your class, use groups, a whiteboard, and insert your presence via video;
    • Chipcast - a user-friendly way to do a podcast for a lecture or guest speaker, or iTunesU (which you can insert into your Bb shell) can be used for posting and making your podcast available from anywhere, anytime.

What if you, the instructor, will miss class?

  1. With the above tools in mind, develop a contingency plan now, before you need it. You may wish to include an alternative assignment that will be posted on blackboard or delivered by e-mail, you may assign additional readings, or collaborate with a colleague to substitute for you in the case of an absence.
  2. Make a plan with students in advance of your absence so that they know what to expect. Be clear about how you will communicate with them and that they have a responsibility to check Blackboard, for example.
  3. Offer alternative assignments and delivery methods, for example:
    • Create an assignment based on readings that are on Blackboard. The assignment can be submitted electronically via Blackboard.
    • Pose a variety of questions and ask students to respond based on their research online.
    • Consider recording your instruction or a message to the class from another location if you are able. This content can be created and delivered as a podcast (using Chipcast) and posted into iTunesU which is easily accessible through Blackboard.
  4. As always, contact your department chair and office staff to notify them of your absence. They can post signs that can remind students to check Blackboard or their e-mail for announcements.

What if a student is absent?

  1. Be clear with the students that it is their responsibility to contact you by e-mail to notify you of their absence and to make arrangements to complete and submit missed assignments.
  2. As many students will not seek medical treatment, they will not be able to provide documentation of their illness. Please be sensitive to the situation and provide opportunities for students to make up missed work. On the other hand, there may be students who will take advantage of the situation. In that case, take actions that you feel are appropriate.
  3. Consider alternate mechanisms for test delivery. This might include allowing students to make up exams when they return to class or to take exams online. FaCIT can assist you with the creation of these assessments and in conducting them with as much dependability and security as possible.
  4. Review the university policies on prolonged student absences including incompletes, withdrawals and be prepared to share them with students when appropriate. Should you have any policy questions or want to explore options for a particular student, call Doreen Root (774.7247) or email her at root1dl@cmich.edu. Off-Campus instructors should contact their Program Administrator.

Being prepared for any emergency that interrupts classroom instruction is essential to minimizing the negative impact. FaCIT is here to help you deliver the most effective instruction possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance: