Instructor FAQ

What is “remote instruction” and how does it differ from “teaching an online course”?

“Remote instruction” applies to the emergency online delivery of an in-person course as part of the campus COVID-19 emergency response. An online course is a course that has been approved by COCI for online delivery in a typical, non-emergency semester. On this distinction and its implications see also COCI’s Statement on Fall 2021 Instruction

How can I best prepare my course and my students for a power outage, particularly one which disrupts a scheduled exam?

Do your best to plan ahead and provide clear messages about how you will handle power outages and related disruptions. Let students know how you plan to communicate with them in the event of a disruption, with a method that is as robust to power outages and disruptions as possible, keeping in mind that there may be inevitable delays in sending and receiving these communications. Let students know how you expect them to handle assignments, exams, and access to course materials in the event of a disruption. Include these plans in your syllabus. Announce them verbally on Day 1...

How should I approach the teaching of my course if the Air Quality Index from wildfire smoke forces campus to close?

As we did in fall 2019, if campus is forced to close because of fires, you should conduct your class remotely.

Teaching my course remotely worked out well for the students. If I prefer to teach online rather than in person not just in Fall 2021 but permanently, what do I need to submit to COCI and by when in order to get the course approved as an online course?

When you submit your course modification proposal in CMS, you will need to provide information about what is expected of students in the online version of your course. COCI has provided guidelines that should be considered when proposing an online course in COCI Handbook 2.5 Web-based and Online Courses. The schedule for COCI review can be found here

If my class is approved for in-person delivery, can I expect a “normal” semester of classroom instruction?

No—along with public health guidance regarding safe use of shared spaces, it will be important to bear in mind that you will need to retain a plan for moving back to remote instruction at any time if developments relating to public health (or other emergencies) render it necessary. For example, if classroom buildings are closed for a period due to smoke from a wildfire, you may be able to shift your class to remote instruction for one or two meetings.

I’ve been assigned a classroom for in-person teaching that has no windows that open and has poor ventilation. Can I get a different room assignment?

As noted on April 23, 2021, “the planned return to full in-person operations for the fall semester assumes that a high percentage of our campus population is vaccinated and that there are low case rates. If this is the situation, we will return to pre-pandemic use of all buildings, classrooms and other spaces regardless of ventilation status.”

When will 25Live be enabled for Fall 2021 room reservations?

25Live is now open for both student and staff reservations.

If I am teaching from my on-campus office, what is the status of the wifi? In the past, it has been spotty at best and certainly not capable of a sustained zoom session.

If you are teaching a class that must be remote and you do not have adequate wifi from your on-campus office, first speak to your department chair or professional school dean. Most departments and schools will be able to resolve wifi challenges. Chairs and deans who are not able to address locally inadequate wifi problems should contact Jenn Stringer (Associate Vice Chancellor for IT and CIO).

I teach a large-enrollment class in which many students attend asynchronously by accessing the Course Capture. If my course enrollment is over 199, will I be able to teach in a large on-campus classroom while still having the students attending remotely?

Probably not. There are some classes that are being taught remotely but are using the large-enrollment classrooms because of particular needs (chemistry needs equipment that is in Pimentel, for instance). If there is particular equipment you need that can only be found in an on-campus classroom, contact your department scheduler asap. But keep in mind that there are only 4 large-enrollment GA classrooms (greater than 300 seats). If you need a recording space but not necessarily one of the large-enrollment classrooms, that may be an easier request to fill. See the next...

If I am teaching a class that must be remote, can I have on-campus space in which to teach? I do not have my own office on campus and/or to be effective in teaching, I need access to facilities that can’t be duplicated in my home or campus space.

If you are teaching a class that must be remote and you do not have a suitable space from which to teach, first speak to your department chair or professional school dean. The EVCP has asked the dept chairs to "consider designating some underutilized, departmentally-controlled spaces for use by lecturers, GSIs, or other instructors who may not have private offices, for recording remote lectures or engaging in virtual office hours." Most departments and schools will be able to provide suitable space. Chairs and deans who are not able to accommodate the...