In addition to the resources below, faculty may also want to consult the “Keep on Teaching” site curated by the Faculty Development Center (FDC).
As UMBC prepares to offer all SU2020 courses in an online format, DoIT’s Instructional Technology team is pleased to introduce Planning Instructional Variety for Online Teaching (PIVOT), a new professional development program for instructors who wish to take a more deliberate and holistic approach to preparing their courses for remote, synchronous and asynchronous, online instruction.
Whether classes are postponed due to weather, illness, utility and infrastructure, or other emergency, DoIT offers many resources beyond Blackboard to support academic continuity and getting students connected online. Know which instructional technologies you can use in your Go Online (GO) Kit to maintain academic continuity when your class cannot meet in person.
View the GO Kit webinar recording from March 11, 2020.
Read our GO Kit series on myUMBC. Get virtual drop-in supportStay informed: Visit UMBC’s COVID-19 website for updated information & guidelines.
Preparation Checklist
Before the first snow storm or emergency cancels your class, think about how you can work around disruption. Use our handy GO Kit checklist to prepare your course and instructional materials.
- QUICK TIP! View our Academic Continuity Essentials guide. These simple steps will help you maintain your classes even when the University is closed for an extended period.
- FYI: Check out three three new REX reports to assess if and how frequently students are engaged online.
Engagement Strategies
UMBC offers a number of ways to communicate with students. Review your options and pick one or two that will work best for you and your course. Also, you can steer them to DoIT’s Student Technology Resources for help getting online.
Assessment Tips
Adapting your assignments for online may be easier than you think!
Available Tools & Resources
Blackboard is just one tool available in your GO Kit. UMBC offers cloud storage, web conferencing, video recording and streaming, and assessment security among many other software downloads.
Examples from Faculty
Have you found a way to keep your students on track when classes cannot meet? Share your tips, suggestions, and lessons learned with your colleagues. Identify your Academic Continuity Ambassadors.
Getting Help
Find out where to help for your technology questions or how to take your course online to support your student learning in an emergency.
Check for information about inclement weather & emergency delays/closures:
- UMBC homepage
- myUMBC
- Call 410-455-6789
- e2campus alert system
- Review the inclement weather policy (pdf)
Stay informed: Visit the UMBC COVID-19 website for updated information and guidelines.