Academic Continuity Strategies

• Know where to find and download student contact information
• Ensure teaching materials from college computer drives can be accessed from home. Upload to OneDrive or Blackboard
• Know how to remotely access college voicemail and access college email
• Ensure your students have the course syllabus and your contact information
• Have a plan for communicating course activity or meeting changes with students
• Discuss the MHCC RAVE notification system with your students
• Announce to your class where/when/how to find materials
• Include a closure statement in your syllabus (see sample below)

Customize this sample Closure Statement:

Should we experience a campus closure or event that requires us to change the format of the course, assignments, deadlines and grading percentages may be revised. Information about modifications in this course will be provided to you via college email.

If the course is not able to meet face-to-face, you should immediately log onto Blackboard and read any announcements. You are also encouraged to continue with assigned readings and other coursework as outlined on this or any revised version of the syllabus.

Some students may not have access to devices that allow them to complete activities modified for online delivery. Be prepared to offer extended deadlines or alternative formats to ensure equity for all students’ success.

• Open Blackboard and log in using your MHCC username. You can use the Forgot Your Password? link under the login form to reset your password.
• Here's info on how to personalize Blackboard if you choose
• Learn about editing in Blackboard

Asynchronous communications take place over time, with students responding to instructor prompts or each other at different times, sometimes over days. Synchronous communication takes place in real time, with students immediately responding to instructors or each other .

Asynchronous options

• Maintain Instructor Presence
  • Make a short Kaltura video
  • Set up an SOS Discussion Forum
• Blackboard Messages
• Blackboard Email
• Use Blackboard Announcements
  • Communication tools in Blackboard

Synchronous options

• Schedule Virtual Office hours with Zoom

You can deliver various types of course content, materials, and information through Blackboard.

Build Text Content in Blackboard

• Provide lesson details and assignment instructions within Blackboard template pages
• Assign readings, homework, etc.
  • Link to articles or other pages on the Internet
• Add your own original content, like lecture notes, explanations, etc.
  • Use Kaltura to create short lecture videos, introductions to weekly lessons, and so on.

Enhance Your Class with Online Tools and Content

• Use Zoom for online meetings or as a teleconferencing tool
• Link to publisher content (if available)
• Link handouts, worksheets in OneDrive
  • Be sure to Check documents for accessible format
• Use existing online videos as course content

Here's how...

• Create assignment drop boxes where students can submit papers and other files
• Create online quizzes, tests and exams
  • How to create a Test in Blackboard (4:46 min.)
  • Blackboard Testing Tool resources
• Create discussion activities
  • How to use the Bb discussion tool (4:02 min.)
  • Writing Effective Online Discussion Questions

Grade Center Overview

• Grade Center orientation: Navigate the Grade Center
  Or view Blackboard's help topic: Grade Center Navigation and Overview
• Set up your Grade Center

Grading Specific Types of Student Work

• How to Grade Discussions (2:31 min.)
• Using the Inline grader for submitted documents with video (1:17 min.)