At its most basic definition, "instructional continuity" means that in the event of any interruption of college operations, academic and instructional progress would continue.
Instructional continuity is the responsibility of all instructors of record, including full-time faculty, adjuncts and teaching associates.
The checklist is by no mean exhaustive or prescriptive and is meant to help you address issues that may arise in the event of college closure or widespread absences. You may also want to consider how these suggestions could be adapted for single absences (such as one student's prolonged absence due to illness).
| Issues to Address | Possible Solutions |
|---|---|
Establish a mode of communication to use in case of an emergency.
|
Email Canvas Microsoft Teams |
| Make your syllabus available digitally. | Email Canvas Google Docs Microsoft Teams |
Decide how you will distribute documents and readings during a disruption.
|
Canvas Library Permalinks or E-books Google Drive Microsoft Teams |
| Designate a centralized place to collect student submissions. | Email Canvas COS One Drive Microsoft Teams |
| Think about how you would continue class discussion in the event of a disruption. | Canvas Discussions Google Docs ConferNow (Zoom) Microsoft Teams |
| Consider capturing your lecture content for students to watch remotely. | ConferNow (Zoom) Microsoft Teams |
| Identify an option for holding class and/or office hours virtually. You can fall back on your chosen option if it is expected that several class periods will be missed. | ConferNow (Zoom) Skype Microsoft Teams |
| Think about how your methods for evaluating student learning could be moved to a digital space. | Google Docs Canvas Assignment Canvas Quizzes |
| Settle on an option for providing students with grades and feedback on their work in the event of an emergency. | Canvas Assignment Google Docs Microsoft Teams |
Information for Faculty and Academic Staff Regarding Academic Continuity
We live in a region where we are at risk for extended campus closures due to weather and fire, and now we are systematically preparing for a potential health related pandemic, COVID-19. Preparedness plans help the institution to identify ways to provide temporary remote instruction and to identify instructional support needs for instructors, staff, and students.
Faculty should work with Distance Learning staff and identified faculty mentors who can provide Canvas assistance and ideas for the range of activities needed to support learning during a period of temporary remote instruction, including:
In order to scale up support for faculty in this situation, while the campus remains open, Distance Learning staff will be:
Faculty may also contact Distance Learning staff or identified faculty mentors to discuss how to ensure academic integrity. Faculty should hold office hours online, via Canvas, Zoom, or similar, just as they would have on campus. Students may also sign up for office hours online using Google Calendar, Canvas or by sending an email to their instructor with a request for an appointment via other means such as Skype.
Please see the links below for additional resources:
(Aug. 11, 2020) All Faculty teaching remote via Zoom or online via Canvas are required to be online certified. Please note, if you cannot produce proof of online certification and/or your course has not been locally DE approved by Dec. 31, 2020, you will not be able to teach online or via Zoom starting Spring 2021. No exceptions will be made. The College is currently working on a plan that will provide faculty with the opportunity to complete DE Certification requirements by the indicated deadline.
Faculty will need to ensure that everything posted in Canvas/Online is accessible. For guidance please see the 'Guidance on Accommodations for Students with Disabilities in a Pandemic' document (*Note: this document was developed by Mt. SAC and revised to reflect COS information).
Also, there is a strange phenomenon that has ascended, ZOOMbombing. It’s when uninvited individuals enter Zoom Meetings and disrupt the discussions with vulgar and uninvited language. This typically occurs after a Zoom link has been posted publically. Follow these tips to prevent your lecture and/or meeting from being Zoombombed: How to Avoid the Zoombomb
(Aug. 11, 2020) All employees/students returning from travel, or relocating from, outside Siskiyou County must provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test taken after August 1, 2020. In the case of an individual who previously tested positive, clearance to enter campus must be obtained from a medical professional and, prior to being allowed on campus to begin in-person instruction, the individual should isolate for 14 days if prescribed by the Siskiyou County Public Health Department. Area of Commute is excluded from mandatory testing while conducting normal activities.
Employees are directed to follow COVID-19 guidelines and practice social distancing, as recommended by the State of California, the CDC and Siskiyou Public Health.
(Aug. 11, 2020) When you arrive to campus, you will be required to:
Employees will be provided with a wristband. Employees who have walked or bussed to the Weed campus can check-in at the TRIO Center after 8AM or at lot “A” prior to entering any other building on campus. Employees who have walked or bussed to the Yreka campus can check-in at the Welcome Center.
Please inform your students to:
For more information, feel free to direct your students to the Student FAQ page.
A move to instructional continuity will not affect Faculty compensation.
Faculty can first use The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) prior to using accrued sick leave. For more information and available leave hours through the FFCRA, visit The Department of Labor website.