General Guidelines

Course Design

The principles of quality course design are the same whether the class is taught in person or remotely. Check out the Center for Teaching and Learning’s pointers on effective course design. BYU Teach Anywhere has considerations, tips, and technology for the classroom, blended, live remote delivery, and on-demand remote delivery teaching modalities. Also, here are a few considerations for teaching two audiences.

Accessibility

Not all of your students will have regular or reliable access to the internet. However, they should all be able to participate, contribute, and access course materials. Explore ways to engage each of your students.

Synchronicity

Live class sessions should be on the days and times indicated in the class schedule to avoid conflicts with other scheduled classes. Be sure to make recordings of class sessions readily available so that students unable to participate live can watch the lecture later. Keep in mind that lectures should not go beyond the time established in the class schedule.

Structure

Online students will do more of the course work on their own. A clear course outline will help a lot with this. Provide study guides for the readings, create scaffolding assignments, give examples of past work, and make due dates easy to find.

Communication

Contact your students consistently and frequently. For example, set up a regular email schedule and hold virtual office hours. Also, strive to return graded work promptly. Create a class blog or Learning Suite conversation where students can correspond with you and each other. Ensure that those who cannot attend live-streamed classes can reach you and share thoughts with the other students.

Consider Copyright

Can we show images or play video clips during remote class sessions without violating copyright law? What about distributing copyrighted articles or other reading materials to students? This Teach Anywhere training answers these questions and more.

Course Structures

Flipped Classroom

Students learn by reading, watching, or doing homework assignments outside of class. Class time is used for interactive discussion, practice, and questions.

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Learning Menus

The instructor generates a menu of possible learning activities. Students must select a certain number of activities from each category and complete activities outside of class. Class time is used for discussion, interactive practice, and questions.

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Individual Learning Contracts

Students propose personalized learning plans. The instructor approves learning experiences, creative product pursuits, and deadlines. Class time is used for collaboration with peers, interactive practice, and teacher consultation.

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Project-based Learning

The course is primarily based on a collaborative project that the students and instructor agree on. Students engage in sustained inquiry. The professor and students also participate in ongoing critique, revision, and reflection. This collaboration results in the development of a tangible product. Finally, the students share their product with a public audience outside of the classroom.

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Be Prepared

Although vaccines and treatments are well underway, Fall 2020 is not immune to the following COVID-19 related scenarios:

• A student tests positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, one or more of your students may either test positive for COVID-19 or live with someone who tests positive. The number of students who experience this scenario will depend on how large your class size is and how well your students practice social distancing. Consider including a section in your syllabus for how students should complete assignments and participate in your class should they (or a person they live with) test positive for the virus.
• You get sick. Older adults or those who have underlying medical conditions such as asthma, serious heart conditions, diabetes, and others are at higher risk for serious illness if infected with COVID-19. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare your materials in advance. Not only would this require preparing lesson plans, but it would also require that a TA or faculty member substitute and plan for your class if you become ill. Here are the university’s guidelines for employees, including a link to the self-reporting form you will need to fill out if you test positive for the virus.
• A general outbreak occurs. Although this is less likely than the previous scenarios, prepare for another general outbreak of the virus and a possible local, state, or country-wide lockdown. The more materials you can get online, the better.

Keep in mind that many people you come in contact with may not understand how the virus spreads. Check out this video essay that cites academic sources and provides a good demonstration of how the virus spreads as well as BYU’s COVID-19 updates for Fall 2020