All undergraduate courses will move from classroom instruction to online learning mode for the two weeks following Spring Break in response to the coronavirus. The university is offering a host of resources to help with the transition.
As Spring Break approaches, Elon University faculty are sharing plans with students about how their courses will take shape online in the coming weeks. In response to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the university announced on March 11 that all undergraduate courses will transition from classroom instruction to online learning mode for the two weeks following Spring Break (which begins March 14 and concludes March 22).
There are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus at Elon, and the university plans to resume normal classroom instruction on Monday, April 6. In the meantime, the university is working to ensure a smooth transition to online learning for faculty and students.
>> View full details of Elon’s plans to protect the community
Professors are individually updating their students about what to expect, since different courses will use different modes for online instruction. At the start of her COM 100 Communications in a Global Age class, Professor of Communications Janna Anderson told students they will continue their work via Moodle and email during the online learning period. Though her students don’t have to complete their work during the normal class time, they will have deadlines for tests and assignments.
“You’ll feel better, you’ll be more confident and you’ll feel more comfortable if you stay on top of all your studies just as if you were on campus,” she said.
Anderson’s students will take their mid-term exam and quizzes on Moodle. They will be able to log in during a window of several hours to accommodate students in different time zones, but will have a set amount of time to complete the tests once they log in. She will also email her complete lecture notes, links to required videos to view and assignment details the day before their regularly scheduled class time.
“We want to reassure you that we are maintaining the same level of rigor and quality that you normally experience in a classroom setting,” Anderson told her students.
The Faculty Resources page on Elon’s coronavirus website was built as a resource to assist faculty as they prepare to teach remotely. The page offers best practices for a successful transition, a guide to technology tools and services and a list of valuable campus resources.
“Teaching and Learning Technologies is partnering with a number of academic areas, as teaching online, just like face-to-face instruction, requires more than just using technology effectively,” said Kelly Reimer, director of Teaching and Learning Technologies. “We are partnering with the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Belk Library, Koenigsberger Learning Center, the Writing Center, Moodle Advisory Group Members, Kyle Altmann (IT’s Faculty Fellow for Technology) and other groups to bring holistic support and training to faculty.”
TLT will offer a number of in-person and virtual training sessions to help faculty quickly prepare to teach online. Faculty are encouraged to focus their efforts on using the Moodle learning management system and WebEx conferencing program as their primary tools to minimize potential challenges.
Upcoming sessions include:
- Moving to Remote Learning
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Belk Library 113 - Moodle: Overview & Basic Tools
Monday, March 16
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. - WebEx: Hold Virtual Office Hours or Class Live
Monday, March 16
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. - A Deeper Dive into Moodle Tools
Tuesday, March 17
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. - WebEx: Record a Lecture or Introduce a Topic with Video
Tuesday, March 17
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
3 p.m. – 4 p.m. - Thursday, March 19
Moving to Remote Learning
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Belk Library 113
>> View more details about training sessions here
In addition to the group training sessions, faculty will also have access to individual/course-specific consultations and topic-based support. TLT will continually update the Faculty Resources page, Reimer said, as well as evaluate needs and offer additional training, support and services as those needs emerge.
“We are here to assist and recognize that this is a challenging circumstance,” Reimer said. “We’ve provided extra training to our student staff to work with faculty. Some of our student staff will even remain here on campus next week to provide support. We’ve worked with our vendors and partners to make sure systems and services operate as normal, since there will be extra traffic on these systems.”
Other resources for faculty
- Faculty who would like additional help getting started with Moodle and WebEx and crafting a remote learning plan for their courses can schedule a consultation for a specific date and time with a member of the Teaching and Learning Technologies staff. TLT staff are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Faculty can also drop in to Belk Library 115 for impromptu support from Teaching and Learning Technologies. Staff are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Faculty can discuss ways to shift activities, assignments, experiential learning or other aspects of their courses for remote learning by scheduling a consultation with the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL). E-mail catl@elon.edu or call 336-278-5100 to set up an in-person, phone or virtual WebEx conversation.
- Faculty who have questions or experience technology-related issues should contact the Technology Service Desk at 336-278-5200. Staff are available to answer basic questions about Moodle, WebEx and other instructional technologies. If the question requires more in-depth knowledge or expertise, the question may be routed to a TLT staff member.