Online Ready at St. Mary's University

Online Readiness

In response to the emerging outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus, St. Mary’s is working to ensure the health and safety of our community. While we realize any possible disruption to the semester may be difficult for both faculty and students, we want to be ready to provide a high quality, student-centered educational experience. To that end, we encourage opportunities for inquiry, reflection, and interaction. Because these activities may look different in distance learning settings, Academic Technology Services (ATS) is available to support your efforts by offering office hours, web resources, webinars and meetings with groups or departments to prepare for any disruption. Students who feel scared or vulnerable in the event of a crisis may value the opportunity to process this experience as part of a community, so consider adjusting course plans to include opportunities for reflection.

Guides for Teaching Online

	St. Mary’s Online Readiness Ecosystem
	Getting started with Canvas
	Getting started with Zoom
	Getting started with Kaltura
	Getting Started with LockDown Browser
	Considering Accessibility Needs

Getting Started

In the event of a campus closure that would force classes online, it may be helpful to start considering how you might take the following 5 steps to ensure your course continues smoothly and effectively.

Step 1: Communicate with Your Students

Reach out to students as soon as possible – even if you don’t have all of the details or plans in place yet. It’s important that they hear from you and that you explain when and how you’ll be communicating with them throughout this period. Students will need to know how you plan to manage the course during this period and if there are any new or altered expectations that will be important to their success in the course.

Step 2: Set Realistic Goals

What do you think you can realistically accomplish online during this time period? Will it be possible for you accomplish everything that you had laid out in your syllabus and course schedule? It will be important for you to determine how best to continue forward with your class while understanding that serious changes may be necessary.

Step 3: Utilize Familiar Tools and Pedagogy

Moving a course online quickly can be challenging. While faculty are welcome to explore and utilize all available tools in support of their classes, it may be best to keep it simple and rely on tools and approaches familiar to you and your students. Introducing new and complex tools can add unnecessary stress during an already hard and ambiguous time.

Step 4: Check with Your Department

Your department may issue guidelines or details about their expectations for classes. Make sure you understand what is expected and required to ensure that you’re acting in accordance with your department.

Step 5: Stay Informed and Pass it Along

The University will surely be communicating throughout the closure period. Make sure you are reading these messages and communicating pertinent changes with your students. You don’t want to automatically assume that your students understand what’s expected of them during a closure or when the university is set to resume classes.