Instructional Continuity
Resources for Fall 2021
When transitioning back to on-campus instruction this fall semester, we have a number of resources to help both instructors and students.
Key considerations and resources are outlined below, and additional resources are available through our Instructional Continuity menu, Instructional Resources Site, and Technology Resources Site.
Instructors
Teaching with a mask
With the expectation that instructors and students will wear a mask when in indoor places on-campus, there are some key considerations that can help instructors maintain an effective teaching practice.
Using Brightspace to Maintain Teaching and Learning Continuity
Activating and using your Brightspace site to support your on-campus instruction is a great way to share information and course resources with your students. Additionally, should you need to shift to remote instruction for any reason, you will already have an online presence to build upon.
- Using Brightspace to Maintain Teaching and Learning Continuity
- A Guide for Designing Online Learning & Increasing Instructional Use of Brightspace
Using the course syllabus to set student expectations
A course syllabus is a critical document for setting expectations for students registered in a course. The university established a working group to identify statements and strategies that you can incorporate into your syllabus to help address some of the exceptional cases you may experience while teaching this Fall.
Recycling material from remote courses
Over the past 16 months, instructors developed course materials using alternative methods for remote courses and these materials and methods remain valuable to support on-campus teaching.
- Copy Components from another Brightspace site
- Self-Service Video Hosting
- Recording Lectures: Protecting Privacy
Reviewing Assessment Strategies
Some students will require alternative form assessments for the fall semester due to policies and guidelines related to COVD-19. There are some important considerations in creating alternatives to achieve learning outcomes.
- Assessments Balancing learning, feedback and workload
- Assessment Guides: Quiz tool, Assignments, Student Presentations
- Creating personal and flexible learning opportunities
Managing the workload
Making the transition back to on-campus teaching can impact instructor and student workload. Managing the workload will be key to a successful semester and better learning for all. Having a complementary Brightspace site is an effective way to manage communication with students, accept assigned work, create a community amongst students and share relevant content and learning material.
- Managing Workload and Communications
- Guide to Preparing your Brightspace course site
- Creating Community in your course site
Other services to help:
- Academic Support Representatives (ASRs)
- Classroom Studio
- Teaching and Learning Exchange (TLX)
- Learning Technology Coaches
- Fall 2021 Instructor Series
For your Students
While the Academic Success Centre is available to guide your students, we are also sharing some resources that you may wish to share with your students to help have a smooth start to the semester.
Managing Time
Managing your time effectively and efficiently is a key component of academic success. Reviewing course syllabi to make note of important dates and deadlines on a central calendar, creating a weekly schedule, and using prioritized task lists can help you stay on top of your work without falling behind.
Developing a routine
As you adjust to a new schedule, creating a routine that includes scheduled classes, study time, and regular breaks can help you set yourself up for success. Trying different study spaces and strategies can help you discover how you learn best, both on and off-campus.
Staying connected
You’re never in it alone at Memorial. Asking instructors for help during office hours or forming a study group with classmates are easy ways to stay connected in any course. Take advantage of the many resources available to help you succeed – in the classroom and beyond.
Learning with Brightspace
Whether your course is on-campus, online, or remote, your instructor will likely use Brightspace to share content or communicate important information. Course offerings at Memorial are as diverse as the faculty who teach them, so each experience may be slightly different as instructors use different strategies and tools to help you learn.
Tackling assessments
From assignments to presentations to exams, your instructors may include different assessments in each of your courses. Planning your time and breaking down assignments and study materials into smaller, more manageable chunks are key for effectively preparing for assessments.
- Exam strategies
- Brightspace guide: Preparing for an online quiz
- Brightspace guide: Submitting an assignment
Other resources to help: