Remote Learning Assessment and Student Support

Dear colleagues,

The past four weeks have been incredibly challenging for all of us. The quick shift to online and remote course delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly resulted in less than ideal situations for faculty and students alike.

As we near the end of this semester, it is important to assess how this shift in instruction has impacted our students. Our goal is to ensure that students can successfully complete the semester and stay on track for graduation.

I ask your help with this endeavor by completing a CONNECT progress survey to assess remote learning challenges. Faculty members will receive an email with a survey that displays student names from your class lists. We ask you to simply click the Yes/No button beside each student’s name to indicate whether or not you have a concern about this student. If there is a concern, you then choose one of three buttons to indicate if the concern is due to lack of activity, reduced performance or a remote learning issue.

As we begin preparing for final exams, I also ask you to continue to be flexible with students as many students are facing difficult situations due to current circumstances. If you plan to use online monitoring for your final exam, please ask your students in advance if they have the appropriate equipment (internet access, computer, webcam). It also is a good idea to create a practice exam to identify any technology issues. For students who are unable to use proctoring software, please create alternative assessments that are not proctored. Refer to these resources from the Center for Teaching and Learning for more guidance.

Thank you for your continued dedication and compassion as we navigate through this semester together.

Sincerely,

Joan F. Lorden
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs