Concerning the big picture: my understanding is that we will be taking the next week to make the transition and then commence our in-person courses again, fully online, on Monday, March 23.
Here is the plan:
In short, we intend to have Canvas training/drop-in resources available 9-12, 1-4 every day next week. Sessions will be held mainly in Stafford 159 (PC Lab), but we will use adjoining rooms, as necessary.
Monday Morning: we suggest that you plan to meet in your departments, or as departments, to talk about a collective plan. Assess what steps you think you can take and what kinds of specific online techniques or features you need to work on for continuation of instruction. This will vary by department, and we understand that there are special situations that we are only beginning to assess. It would be helpful if you also take an inventory of available resources (e. g. who has laptops, where can you do work, etc…). I am told that we can locate a limited number of webcams for departments who wish to set up a way to make use of them.
We ask that department chairs communicate desired support in specific techniques/software or webcams to Sarah Chambers. Sarah and the Canvas support team will endeavor to offer specific training and help in those areas. We will publicize specific sessions as appropriate. Your department may wish to work together in a computer lab in your building, in which case we will make arrangements, as we can, for someone with some Canvas expertise to work with you at that location.
Here is the schedule:
Monday morning: Programs/Departments should meet to assess need and game plan.
Monday 1-4: Canvas help sessions focused mainly on “beginner skills” (e. g,. getting the course running, organizing information for students, working with discussion forums, assignments, and/or quizzes). Meet in 159 Stafford and we will plan breakouts as appropriate.
Tuesday 9-12: Sessions will be planned to meet department needs. Expected topics: Working with Zoom, using video files, storage on OneDrive.
Tuesday 1-4: Canvas workshop. Bring your laptop or work at a computer with support as helpful.
Wednesday 9-12: Sessions will be planned to meet department needs.
Wednesday 1-4: Canvas workshop. Bring your laptop or work at a computer with support as helpful.
Thursday morning: We are hoping to coordinate a campus-wide test of our use of Canvas. More details to follow.
Thursday 1-4: Canvas workshop. Bring your laptop or work at a computer with support as helpful.
Friday 9-12. Sessions will be planned to meet department needs.
Friday 1-4: Canvas workshop. Bring your laptop or work at a computer with support as helpful.
Rest assured that there is a growing team that is organizing to help you and your department. More details on that to follow. For now, we look forward to seeing you at the sessions or in your departments next week.
