Learning Continuity Plan

To provide for continuity of learning, faculty should assume responsibility for the following items:

Communication with Students

• Ensure that you have students' CGI email addresses
• Collect an alternate form of communication (such as cell phone numbers, secondary email addresses, etc.)  While Populi may also have this information, it may not be possible to retrieve it in case of sustained system outage.
• If you post an announcement to the course, consider emailing it as well to reach students who may not be able to log in to the course.

Course Materials

• Download the PDF syllabus for your course
• Email the syllabus to students
• Provide instructions on how to download content from the LMS for offline use in case of sustained outage
• Download that content yourself as a backup plan and be prepared to email it to students.

Have a Backup Plan

• Keep to the original deadlines and expectations of the course as much as possible.
• Be familiar with the guidance that has been shared with students regarding their own preparations.
• Have a backup plan ready in case Zoom is unavailable.  Alternatives would include using Google Hangouts or Skype. 
• Remind students of alternatives.  If the library is unavailable, use Google Scholar.  If email is unavailable, connect via LinkedIn.  That old-school technology called a land line may still be available.  
• Provide students with your expectations regarding submission of work.  If you want them to hang on to everything, if you want them to email assignments to you, if late work will be okay ... communicate your expectations clearly to students.
• Create a backup assignment in case something that is dependent upon online access (such as a quiz) becomes unavailable.
• Ask for help.  This means not just Instructional Design (and we are totally here for you!) but also look to the students as sources of ideas and assistance.

Be Ready to Move

• In the event of a sustained outage (48 hours or more), determine what activities absolutely must continue so that learning is not interrupted (e.g. a quiz needs to be completed by Sunday, etc.)  Instructional Design will work with you to move those activities to a temporary, second location.
• Be ready to share adjusted plans and expectations with students.  While Instructional Design will do everything possible to assist you with retrieving content and information for offline/temporary use, the primary responsibility for obtaining and managing that content and sharing it with students will be the instructor's.