This document provides guidance for faculty on maintaining course continuity in the event of an extended absence from campus. It recommends having the course syllabus readily available online using platforms like Blackboard or a personal website. It also suggests planning for communication methods, adapting assignments for online submission and feedback, setting up online discussions, and grading remotely. Specific tips include using Blackboard tools for announcements, discussions and messaging students, as well as alternative options like email, personal websites, video conferencing and file sharing platforms when away from campus.

1. ACADEMIC
CONTINUITY
PREPARING YOUR COURSE TO COPE WITH AN EXTENDED
CAMPUS ABSENCE

2. SYLLABUS
The Easiest way to maintain your course is to have your
syllabi readily available for your students.
• Blackboard
• Email
• Personal Website (Blogger, Wordpress, etc)

3. WHERE TO START
• Decide on a method of communication with your
students.
• Adapt activities and assignments for web based
interaction.
• Develop instructions on how to submit and return
assignments.
• Develop a method for class discussion.
• Decide how you will grade and communicate grades
to your students.

4. COURSE COMMUNICATION
Have a communication plan in place for your course
• Utilize course messages in Blackboard to send mass emails out
to your roster.
• Create Blackboard Announcements.
• Find student email addresses in your course under users and
groups or within Banner.
• Use your own personal website to disseminate information.
• Utilize Blackboard IM and collaborate, Skype or Google
Hangouts for video meetings/chat with students.

5. COURSE ACTIVITIES AND ASSIGNMENTS
Have a substitute teacher mentality. Have a disaster unit ready
• Assignments
• Blackboard
• Email
• Lectures
• Record using Kaltura capturespace or a Narrated PowerPoint
• Post videos to My Media or Youtube
• Handouts/documents
• Post in Blackboard or your Personal website
• Share using Dropbox, Google Docs, or office 365
• Class Discussion
• Blackboard Discussions
• Blackboard IM and Collaborate
• Skype or google hangouts

6. GRADING/FEEDBACK
• Grade online in Blackboard
• Return and archive grades in Grade Center
• Email—less secure, but an option

7. BLACKBOARD ADVANTAGES
• Most secure option
• Viewable from mobile devices
• ADA compliant
• Consistent for students across all their courses
• Must authenticate through LEA

8. HOW TO GET CONNECTED
• Tablet, smartphone, computer
• iOS and Android apps
• Wifi Hotspots (Starbucks, McDonald's, etc)
• Personal 3G/4G Hotspots

9. RESOURCES
• Youtube http://www.youtube.com/
• Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/
• Wordpress http://wordpress.org/
• Blogger https://www.blogger.com/
• Google Hangouts http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/hangouts/
• Skype http://www.skype.com/en/
• Sacs Syllabi Upload https://sacs.lamar.edu/opa/syllabi/scripts/login_sacssyllabi.php
• Blackboard https://luonline.blackboard.com/
• Jing http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html