Below are some updates and reminders related to fall classes, resources for instructors and students, and University testing plans.
Fall 2020 Classes
- The Provost’s office will be sending regular email updates with information for faculty/instructors related to the start of the Fall semester. This series is called Sprint to the Finish: A Guide for Instructors to Launch Fall 2020 Teaching. Pay attention to these updates.
- Per an email from the Provost on August 7, neither course delivery mode nor room assignments shall be changed at this point.
- Students will be assigned their designated days to be on campus for blended courses by Registration Services and instructors should not change these assignments as one goal is to minimize the number of students who need to be on campus on a given day. These assignments are expected to be completed by August 26. Efforts are ongoing to address the issue of where commuter students can go between classes while on campus.
- Instructors are strongly encouraged to reach out to the students on their class rosters to introduce themselves and provide an overview of what the class will look like for the Fall semester and what they should expect (share the syllabus if it is ready). This can go a long way in putting minds at ease over the next couple of weeks. It can also be an opportunity for instructors to gather some information about their students relevant to online learning and what challenges/concerns the students foresee (e.g., internet access, technology concerns, time zone difference, etc.). Students want to be prepared for the beginning of classes and this contact will help them do so.
- There is an expectation that classes will switch from online to hybrid on September 21—except for classes that are listed as online classes in iROAR.
- Students have the opportunity to request all online classes for the Fall semester due to COVID-19 and these requests will be granted. These requests are being managed with the Accessibility Information Management (AIM) system through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Students are being instructed to request letters be sent to their instructors about this accommodation, along with other accommodations. Instructors can view the students in their classes that have accommodations by going the SAS Faculty Resources page and clicking “AIM Instructor Dashboard” at the bottom. A list of students with approved online accommodations will be updated regularly and shared with departmental student services staff (undergraduate and graduate).
- Instructors should be aware that some students may be in different time zones while taking classes online, which may present some challenges for the students if they have early or late classes. I was speaking with one advisor who has a student who lives in Hawaii and will be taking online courses this semester. Instructors are encouraged to work with their students and provide some flexibility. This may be as simple as recording synchronous classes, but it is also important to engage with these students outside of asynchronous instruction. Remember that students were not planning for online or hybrid learning when they originally registered for classes and they want to get the most out of their courses.
- Students will start moving back to campus during the week of September 13. Some will be traveling from long distances, which may take multiple days plus move-in activities. Instructors are asked to keep this in mind when planning their courses. There will be logistical challenges with scheduling that week and students will be dealing with the stress of moving. Therefore, we ask that instructors make this a relatively light week with no major assignments, projects, exams, or other major assessments due that week.
- Final exams and common exams need to be online throughout the semester since classroom size is not sufficient to accommodate in-person exams for all students at the same time while also maintaining physical distancing.
- If instructors wish to designate the final week of classes (Nov. 30-Dec. 4) as online instruction, they may do so, but it must be communicated to students early on in the semester and included in the syllabus. The University will still be open after the Thanksgiving break. This will include campus housing, dining facilities, classrooms, and other University facilities.
- All classes must be prepared to pivot to online instruction at any point during the fall semester if conditions call for it.
- Develop contingency plans in case an instructor falls ill during the semester.
Instructor Resources
- Instructors should refer to the Instructional Playbook for Blended Learning website for a number of resources to help prepare for classes. This site also includes a link to the Faculty Resource Center. This site is updated regularly.
- The Undergraduate Class Regulations and Graduate Class Regulations were sent to faculty at the end of July. Please be sure to review these documents as there are some significant changes to the regulations this year in response to COVID-19. These documents also include language to include in course syllabi.
- Instructors have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new classroom technology during open houses August 12-14 and 17-18. Instructors should only visit their assigned classroom during their assigned class meeting time. During these times, instructors can test out the connections, camera use, check the sound, etc. It may be a good idea to have a colleague or graduate student on the other end to get a feel for the sound and video quality. Information and instructions about the classroom technology is available in the Faculty Resource Center. You can view the Clemson Online Summer Quick Hits session on Classroom Video Technology, which was useful and well received by the faculty who attended live. A list of the classrooms and technology can be found HERE. Instructors should report questions or issues to CCIT, so the issues can be documented and addressed.
- Instructors may use their assigned classroom during their assigned time to teach and record their classes during this initial online period of instruction. This will help them become familiar with the technology and help the students become familiar with the interface.
- Clemson Online offered a series of 30 minute sessions throughout the summer on specific topics of interest to instructors preparing for the fall semester. These sessions were recorded and can be accessed HERE.
- OTEI recently hosted a webinar titled Assessment (Re)Design and Academic Integrity, which focused on the topic of alternate methods of assessment of learning in online courses. This webinar and others can be accessed HERE.
- Clemson Online and OTEI will continue to have events in the coming weeks and throughout the Fall semester. Click HERE for more information and dates.
Student Resources
- The Academic Success Center has a variety of resources available for students related to success in online classes, tutoring and course support, academic coaching, and success workshops.
- Course support services will be available to students online through the Academic Success Center (ASC), PEER/WISE, RISE, and General Engineering. Schedules will be posted soon.
- In-person student services should not be available to students until September 14 when students are allowed back on campus for move-in.
COVID-19 Testing
- The University updated the testing schedule and information for employees on August 5. This can be found on the Healthy Clemson website and scrolling down to Employee Testing Procedures. Information about student testing procedures is also available on this site.
- Employees shall upload their COVID-19 test results using the COVID-19 Test Result Upload Tool located on the Healthy Clemson website. Employees must receive a “Clear” sign to be able to access and use Clemson facilities.
Other
- The General Faculty Meeting will be held on August 18 from 4:00-5:00 pm. The link to the meeting and more information can be found by clicking the hyperlink. Staff may also be interested in hearing the reports from the President and Provost during this meeting
