FAQs: Getting Help

FAQs: Teaching & The Classroom

What about office hours? The Academic Continuity information discussed elsewhere relates to teaching my classes.

Office hours should match the modality of the course taught: face-to-face classes can have face-to-face office hours, and classes using remote instruction need to offer virtual office hours. There are ways for you to hold virtual office hours and schedule instructor conferences using resources such as Zoom or Teams, so you need to “be there” for your students during some form of office hours unless you are ill.

Can I “teach ahead” so I’m ready if I get sick?

Of course. You’re encouraged to prepare as much as you can. The resources on this site point you to options for recording lectures that you can “bank” until you’re ready to post them.

I teach one or more classes that are not traditional lecture/discussion, what do I do?

All face-to-face instruction had to be approved by campus and Chancellor’s Office officials, and each face-to-face course has its own safety protocol to follow. There are many experiential courses such as dance, music, theatre, studio arts, student teaching practicums, science labs and so on that pose special challenges, so they were approved ahead of time. If you are teaching a course that did not receive approval to be taught face-to-face and you aren’t sure how to teach it remotely, the best thing you can do is talk with colleagues (including your department chair) about how to handle such circumstances, and/or get in touch with the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Now that most instruction is online, can I expect my students to do different work than they were originally required to do?

Yes. However, synchronous live and interactive virtual class meetings need to take place during the normally scheduled class time if one is listed in the class schedule, so that your students don't have more than one real-time class to attend at once. Please bear in mind that not all students have equal access to remote learning resources, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

FAQs: Student Support

What if I discover that a student doesn't have a laptop or other electronic device to access the resources needed to succeed with remote instruction?

IRT has established a means for students to check out electronic devices. In addition, the AIRC is remaining open for now so students can access resources.

Now that instruction is online, will all of my students have a means of participating? Where can I direct my students who need IRT support?

Check to determine if the AIRC is open for students to use to its facilities. If it is not, every effort will be made to provide students with access to a computer lab. Parking Structure 5 supplies free wifi, and parking permits are not required. The IRT service desk is available for technical and equipment support, so students can check out electronic devices while supplies last. More information can be found at check out electronic devices.

Now that I am offering virtual instruction, has anything changed for accommodations for students with documented disabilities?

No. Students with disabilities documented by the Office of Services to Students with Disabilities (SSWD) still require the accommodations specified in their letter from SSWD. If you have any questions, please contact that office, and generally do everything you can to ensure that virtual course materials meet accessibility standards. Information for how do to so can be found at the Accessible Technology Initiative and Center for Teaching and Learning websites.

I teach a course with a Service Learning component. What do I tell my students?

The health and safety of your students is of paramount importance, so if there is a way for Service Learning to be done online, you should convert typical service learning experiences to a virtual modality. Students can only be expected to engage in in-person Service learning if a course was approved by the Chancellor’s Office to be taught face-to-face. Please consult with the Community Engagement Center for advice on alternative learning experiences, and for further information on Service Learning and Academic Internships.

How do students find out about safety protocols for classes they are taking in person?

Faculty teaching face-to-face courses have been asked to include information about protecting health and safety in their course syllabus. More information can be found in a message sent to all faculty by Provost Perez. In addition, faculty will train students during class how to follow safety protocols, and Safety Ambassadors will be present in all buildings open for face-to-face instruction.