Consider what is a realistic goal for teaching your course. Students will look to faculty for guidance and assistance. In your communications, be timely and specific about changes in schedules, assignments, procedures, and broader course expectations.
To help getting started, we recommend you keep three principles in mind.
1. Keep it simple. It may not be the time to launch a virtual reality simulation or attempt complex projects. Everyone’s definition of keeping it simple will be different, but we’re encouraging you to choose activities and approaches that you can manage and IT can support.
2. Expect disruptions. During these times things may not go as planned. Technology may falter. Students may have access challenges. Expect things to happen.
3. Be honest, open, and compassionate, as you always are. Communicate with your students about the challenges. Let them know what you’re trying to do and ask for help, from them, from us, from your colleagues.
Initial Considerations
- Sign-up for campus alerts at https://my.framingham.edu
- Obtain your students' phone numbers from Starfish.
- Establish a mode of communication to use in case of emergency (with your students and department).
- Share your syllabus in a digital and accessible format on Blackboard.
- Communicate expectations, including how you will communicate online, share course documents, class lectures, hold discussions, collect student work, grade their submissions, and hold office hours.
- If you need support, direct general support questions to IT@framingham.edu.
- Email eto@framingham.edu for assistance with educational technology.
Minimum Technology Requirements
Testing the technology in advance of the semester start is always advised. Making sure your laptop meets the technical requirements below will ensure a more seamless experience when using Zoom, Blackboard or classroom technology.
- Laptop with a Windows or Mac operating system
- Microphone built into your laptop, or an external device such as a USB microphone or headset
- Built-in or external webcam
- Internet connection– either commercially provided (ex. Comcast, FiOS), or a wireless hotspot through your mobile device
- Chrome and Firefox internet browsers installed on your laptop