Inform students of your continued plan for communicating and continuing the course, including plans and policies for when the college is closed and plans and policies for when the college is open, including expectations for absences.
Below is a sample initial announcement that you can edit and tailor to your needs.
Subject: This Course Will Now Be Conducted Online
During this time when students are unable to come to campus, this class will stay up to date with course materials and collaborate with one another online through Canvas. Access Canvas remotely through the MYVWCC portal or through this website: https://learn.vccs.edu.
Canvas will automatically send notifications about announcements and other updates for the course to your @email.vccs.edu email address. Please double check your notification settings in your Canvas profile to make sure that you receive important course updates. You can add a mobile phone number to receive SMS notifications from Canvas. Please see the following guides for help:
Course materials such as files, recordings, and assignments are located under “Modules” which can be accessed from the Modules button on the course home page or from the Modules tab in the course navigation menu.
Course requirements, deadlines, and grading schemes are subject to change. This may include alternative delivery methods, alternative methods of interaction with the instructor and/or classmates, additional class materials, revised attendance policies, and revised schedules.
Take note of the updated schedule for when and how to connect online over the next few weeks and let me know if there are any questions. I will hold office hours this week via Zoom [insert personal meeting room link] and can be reached via email [list email here] or through the Canvas Inbox.
For questions or assistance with Canvas or other instructional technology, click on the Student Resources button on the course home page or send an email to elit@virginiawestern.edu
For additional campus-specific information, please refer to:
We recommend polling your students to find out what type of technology they have access to at home. This can inform your decisions about the types of instructional activities to use in your class.
We have a created a brief survey that you can copy and modify as needed. It is located in the Canvas Commons. Search for "Student Technology Survey"
Since the survey is located in the commons, you can import it directly into your course.
Campus WiFi will remain operational, and students are welcome to use outdoor spaces to access internet on campus. Many public hotspots have also been opened up near existing businesses. Providers are also offering deals for residential service. Not all providers serve all parts of our region.
Some cell service providers are suspending data limits/caps and waiving late fees for bills for the next 30 days. Check your provider’s website to see if your data limits have been extended. If you have a data plan on your mobile phone, you may be able to turn your phone into a hotspot and connect your laptop. See this article for instructions: https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-turn-your-phone-into-a-wi-fi-hotspot
When students lack ready access to internet connectivity, you may need to create downloadable materials that can be accessed in a location where a student can access the internet and then worked on in a different location offline.
Identify materials and resources that students can use offline.
Brown Library
3095 Colonial Ave. SW
Phone: 540.857.7303
