Rowan Instructional Continuity Plan

Rowan Instructional Continuity Plan

Rowan University Instructional Continuity Plan

Rowan University’s Campus Closure Guidelines

This web page contains resources for Rowan University faculty in the event that classroom instruction is disrupted. It has been developed by The Faculty Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in collaboration with the Division of Information, Resources and Technology and has been endorsed by the President’s Office.

Possible reasons for instruction to be disrupted include:

  • Inclement weather
  • Personal illness of instructor
  • Unsafe conditions on campus
  • Pandemic illness
  • Natural disaster

Faculty members who intend to require students to meet work deadlines via electronic submission, even if such deadlines fall during periods of University closure, may want to consider stating this expectation in their syllabi.

Note: It’s important to understand the differences between emergency remote teaching online versus the design and delivery of a course that was always intended to be delivered online. There are similarities and best practices that can be followed in either situation.

In case of emergency, natural disaster, illness, or travel, etc., below are steps to help instructors through the process of preparing to teaching a course remotely and links to helpful ideas and tools. 

Steps for Instructors to Follow

Step 1: Notify Chair/Head
Faculty who are impacted should notify their department chair/head before moving their in-person class to alternate instructional activities, including but not limited to using their preferred mode of remote instruction. 
Step 2: Notify Students

Contact them as soon as possible, even if you do not have a plan in place yet, and establish how you will communicate with them...email, phone/text, Canvas.

(See resources for suggestions)

Step 3 : Review Syllabus and Class Schedule

Do any changes need to be made? Are there new expectations? Will students need extentions? 

(See resources for suggestions)

Step 4: Set Realistic Goals for Continuing Instruction

What can be accomplished during this time? What tools (Canvas, Word, Google Docs, Zoom, etc) will be used? How will lectures be provided? How will classwork be turned in? 

(See resources for suggestions)

 

Step 5: Create Any New Content and Materials (if needed)

Will lectures have to be recorded? Where will these be available? Are there other resources that can be used to replace material that is not accessible?

(See resources for suggestions)

Step 6: Distribute New Content and Materials

How will material be distributed to students? Email, in Canvas, from third party products? How will assignments turned in to the instructor?

(See resources for suggestions)

Step 7: Continue to Communicate with Students

When should students check in with the instructor? When should they expect communication from the instructor?

(See resources for suggestions)

Resources

Rowan Resources and Suggestions for Emergency Remote Teaching

This page provides resources that are supported by IRT. The page has been divided into the following sessions: General Resources, Communication, Class Meetings & Office Hours, Assignments, Discussions, Lectures, Feedback & Assessment, and Q&A Sessions.

Pedagogical Recommendations for Emergency Remote Teaching

This page promotes pedagogical best practices and strategies for emergency remote teaching. It has been divided into the following topics: Teaching Options, General Tips, Communication, Class Meetings, Office Hours, Assignment Management, Assignment Ideas, Discussion Management, Discussion Ideas, Lectures, and Feedback & Assessment

Non-Rowan Supported Teaching Tools for Emergency Remote Teaching

This page contains links to tools can be used for emergency remote teaching, but are not supported by IRT. It has been divided into the following topics: General Tips, Communication, Class Meetings, Office Hours, Assignment Ideas, Discussion Ideas, Lectures, Feedback & Assessment, and Other Resources

Updated 2/2/23