Instructional Continuity Policies
As we’ve learned over recent years, instructional continuity can be disrupted for a wide variety of reasons, and we need to be prepared to handle these occurrences when they happen. Informing students how to respond to campus closures reduces confusion on the days of closure themselves.
Below we've provided policy options, as well as rationale for using each of them—or not. Feel free to use the language below in your syllabus, and adapt as necessary.
Synchronous Continuity
Asynchronous Continuity
Synchronous Continuity
If an in-person meeting for the class cannot be conducted, class will be conducted over Zoom.
Sample Syllabus Policy: "If meeting in person is impossible for a given session (e.g., if the campus is closed due to weather), we will meet virtually at the Zoom link [here]."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| As we’ve learned, Zoom classes can be very productive. This approach may allow you to basically stick to your original lesson plan so that students don’t fall behind. | Technology failures are always possible. Students may also struggle to find a sufficiently private place from which to attend the Zoom session in a focused manner. |
Asynchronous Continuity
If an in-person meeting for the class cannot be conducted, class materials and assignments will be made available online via Canvas or other course-related technologies
Sample Syllabus Policy: "If meeting in person is impossible for a given session (e.g., if the campus is closed due to weather), I will contact you via email to tell you what activities you’ll need to do to keep up with class. This may involve Canvas discussions, emailed reading responses, collaborative work with other students in Google docs, or other activities, depending on the nature of the session that’s been canceled."
| Rationale For | Rationale Against |
|---|---|
| Allows students to find the right time and situation to best do the work of keeping up with class. Is less reliant on streaming technology. | Given that campus closures are unpredictable, this may require the instructor to come up with appropriate alternate activities on short notice. |
View current Instructional Continuity updates on the Instructional Continuity website.
