Information Technology Services

Teaching over Winter Session? Check out these tips for making the fast-paced semester go as smoothly as possible.  

1. Check Your Internet Access and Make a Backup Plan. 
   If you are traveling, call your destination ahead of time and ask about internet access. The best-case scenario: you'll have unlimited access to a wired connection; second best: unlimited access to a strong wireless connection (check travel sites for WiFi reviews), or your own reliable hotspot. While you're on the road, let students know your internet access might be sporadic and give an estimate on your response rate during these times. This might seem like over-communicating but see the 3rd tip for more on why it's not.  
    
   Think about "what if" you lost your primary mode of internet connectivity (e.g. the power goes out at your relative's house). Search for a Plan B - a nearby library (note hours of operation), a personal hotspot, etc. - and keep that plan in your back pocket.
   
   
2. Map Your Course. 
   Do you need to transform an 8- or 16-week course into 3 weeks? If so, you're probably already planning this monumental shift. But if you need a starting point, consider using a course planning grid to ensure your core learning objectives are still reflected in the materials and assessments you select for the shortened format. Or see tip 7 for course mapping assistance.  Additional resources to assist with course design are available in the IDLT Toolkit.
   
   
3. Get Ready to Communicate ... A LOT. 
   A single day during Winter Session is equivalent to about a week of regular 16-week semester. Because workloads are heavier and deadlines are tighter over winter, even one day of unchecked email could have a significant impact on the course flow (from both the student and faculty perspective). To ease some of the day-to-day communication demands, faculty can pre-populate weekly announcements and reminders in Blackboard. For example, setting up announcements to go out each Sunday night that describe what students should be doing to start the next unit and wrap up the last unit is an easy way to front-load some of the standard communication in a course. Establishing a "Q & A" discussion forum is another helpful communication strategy that lets faculty answer common student questions in a central location. Download this guide for ideas on setting up "Q & A" and other forums. 
   
   
4. Organize Your Course. 
   The better organized the course, the smoother it will progress. Build weekly or daily folders that help students know what content is for which day(s). Make due dates clear on the syllabus and within the course. Write instructions on all the pieces of content. For example, if you have a journal article, tell students they should read it and what you hope they gain from it. Use rubrics and write all assignment instructions using the what, when, where, and why process. 
   
   
5. Grade Early and Often. 
   In an online course, feedback is the only way students will know how they are progressing. If assignments are due each day, students should have feedback on day 1’s assignment before submitting day 2. Also, let students know that feedback is available and where to find it.
   
   
6. Familiarize Yourself with Winter Drop Dates. 
   Students have a short window of time to drop a class with a W and an even tinier window of time to drop a class with full tuition reimbursement (it's the first day of class). Visit the Winter Session page to understand these dates and communicate them with students, especially students who might be struggling to fulfill course requirements in the first week of class. 
   
   
7. Contact an Instructional Designer. 
   Winter Session deadlines are just as tight for faculty as they are for students, with only a few days between the end of fall and the start of winter. Members of the Instructional Design & Learning Technologies group can help lighten the prep load a little by assisting in assessment creation, mapping course structure, or simply copying content from one course to another. Even if you're just thinking about what needs to be done for your winter course, now is a great time to reach out to IDLT and schedule a consult.