Keep Teaching

Create a Teaching Back-up Plan

 

 

As any instructor will tell you, it is essential to have a back-up plan. Unexpected emergencies or inclement weather (ice-days, anyone?) can wreak havoc on even the most thought-out lesson plans. Instead of losing valuable class time due to campus disruptions, consider implementing a back-up plan for connecting with your students using Canvas.

Events like these are unpredictable and can last longer than expected. If you have special class sessions, labs or exams that are difficult to reschedule, it can prove challenging to quickly adjust your teaching schedule and communicate these changes to students. Take time now to brainstorm what you might do in the event that you or your students are unable to come to campus. Don't attempt to overhaul your entire teaching strategy. What few tweaks can you implement now to facilitate remote teaching? What is your "back-up plan?"

Why is Designing for Flexibility Important? Links to an external site.  (Georgetown University)

 

Hyperlinked Table of Contents

Install Canvas on Your Mobile Device  
Communicate to Your Class  
Hold a Class Discussion  
Hold a Real-time Chat with Your Class

Share Files with Your Students  
Post Your Updated Syllabus  
Create Online Assignments  
Create Exams and Quizzes

Customize Configuration Settings icon Features with this icon need to be installed by a UT Canvas Admin. Please contact Canvas@utlists.utexas.edu with your course unique # (or URL) and indicate the desired tool(s). Thank you!

Install Canvas on Your Mobile Device

If you haven't already, download the free Canvas Teacher Links to an external site. by Instructure app for your Android Links to an external site. or iPhone Links to an external site.. You can post Announcements, view and grade assessments, and send (Inbox) messages.

 

Communicate to Your Class

It's important to let students know how you will carry on with the course if circumstances prevent normal classroom attendance. Clearly outline where they should find information and how often they should expect to see updates. Here are some of the ways you can communicate with students through Canvas.

 

Hold a Class Discussion

Don’t miss a beat if you normally rely on student discussions in class. You can set up graded and ungraded discussion forums in Canvas.

 

Hold a Real-Time Chat with Your Class

  • Chat Links to an external site.can be used for real-time discussions within the Canvas course site
    • Chat has been added to Canvas, disabled by default. Go to Settings > Navigation tab > click the three dots to Enable > click Save.

 

Use Zoom to Teach

Zoom is a web conferencing tool that allows you to hold real-time lectures with up to 300 participants. Instructors can share screens (PowerPoint or Keynote slides), Chat with participants, and use Breakout Rooms.

Share Files with Your Students

In the event of a campus disruption, you may need to post files and information for your students to access online. You may already be sharing course materials via Modules and/or Files. Make sure your students know where they can find what type of materials. Here are some ways you can do that.

 

Post Your Updated Syllabus

The Syllabus Links to an external site. page makes it easy to communicate to your students exactly what will be required of them throughout the course in chronological order.

 

Create Online Assignments

Don’t get behind on student assessments. Students can submit their assignments online and you can provide feedback and grades through Canvas. You can also give quizzes and exams online.

 

Create Exams and Quizzes in Canvas

 

Grade Assessments

 

Customize Configuration Settings icon Features with this icon will need to be installed by a UT Canvas Admin. Please contact Canvas@utlists.utexas.edu with your course unique # (or URL) and indicate the desired tool(s). Thank you!