As described in recent emails from both Dr. Walker and Dr. Maynard, UHCL is temporarily pivoting back to online instruction for the first two weeks of the semester. Most instructors have a year or more of "emergency" online teaching experience on which to rely during this disruption. However, for those of you who may want or need assistance with getting your course started in the online format, please know that the members of OIT's Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) team are here to assist you. Whether you have questions about online exam proctoring, holding virtual class meetings via Zoom, creating lecture videos and making them available in Blackboard via Echo360, or any other online teaching and technology concerns, please let us know how we can help. To request a virtual consultation with an IDT team member, please call or email the Support Center (supportcenter@uhcl.edu/281-283-2828) with your request. The Support Center staff will create a help ticket that will be assigned to the next available member of the IDT staff.
Below are a few recommendations from our team for this temporary transition back to online teaching and learning:
- Review your syllabus and schedule for the first few weeks of the semester and determine what content, activities, assignments, and assessments need to be transitioned to online delivery. Do you need to create a video recording of your "first-class day" presentation and/or your first few class lectures? Are you going to hold class meetings, at the usual day/time via Zoom (with the option of recording those synchronous meetings for later student review)?
- Clearly document for students your expectations for class attendance and participation during the start of the semester and share that in Blackboard via a document, announcement, discussion, email, video, or any combination of these. We recommend posting this critical information via multiple channels of communication.
- Implement a way to establish two-way communication and relationships with your students in the absence of the on-campus face-to-face setting. Synchronous virtual class meetings are one option, but there are other asynchronous options that will work, too.
- Don't struggle unnecessarily with technology issues/questions. Our team applauds the many instructional technology DIYers across the UHCL faculty. However, please remember that the IDT team is here to answer your questions, direct you to self-help resources, and project just-in-time training/support to anyone who requests our services. Don't have the time or inclination to DIY...contact the Support Center to reach the IDT staff!
For a more comprehensive list of ideas, consider reviewing Purdue University Northwest's document, PIVOT Ideas & Tips. Although it references their learning management system, Brightspace, instead of UHCL's Blackboard, much of the advice provided is relevant to university instructors anywhere.
