Resources for College Practitioners

Prepare Remote Operations for the Long Haul

(A. Solano)
June 21, 2020

Guidelines to transition to face-to-face operations are not plans. They're general recommendations lacking specifics. Unfortunately, many guidelines are being called plans. We're in uncharted territory. For the sake of students (and you and your family), we should prepare ourselves for remote operations for the entire academic year (or longer).

Let's not do this.

Here's a reality check:
- Social distancing and any regular mask will not guarantee that the virus won't spread in classrooms, labs, hallways, libraries, cafeterias, etc.
- We haven't figured out the ventilation system problem.
- We don't have adequate safety measures for large groups of people to go to and from a campus.
- IF we have a vaccine by January, it won't be ready for distribution for months.

The "plans" that you're hearing about or reading are mostly coming from the four-year universities. Many of their admissions yield rates are down from previous years. They're doing all they can (understandably) to save enrollments. Their plans have backfired though so Insider Higher Ed is tracking reversals on college reopening plans (visit here). Therefore, prepare for to remain remote and do it well.

Here are five meaningful actions college leaders should consider ASAP:
1. Formally announce that spring 2021 remote operations is a possibility. Mentally prepare people for this potential reality. 
2. Expand and take instructional technology and pedagogy training to the next level. Faculty need to rethink how they teach and assess student learning. Using the entire face-to-face syllabus for online environment will more than likely produce low student success rates. 
3. Resource allocate funds for technology upgrades.
4. Expand and deepen community and corporate partnerships to help provide resources (food pantry stocking/pick-up, more laptops, wifi access, etc.).
5. If your college is part of a district, don't wait for district plans. If you're a part of a district, don't wait for state plans. If you're a part of a state agency, don't wait for federal plans. Using the process of Discover-->Develop-->Implement-->Evaluate-->Communicate/Report, there's no reason why a college can't engage in Discover and Develop phases to plan how to remain remote for an entire year. Unfortunately, many educators are saying: "We're waiting to hear from X entity before we plan." Well, X entity doesn't have the answers. No one does. You know your campus better than any external entity. Do what you can to plan at the local level. This way, if the district and state formalize plans, you can help to inform their planning.

We're living history. When we look back years from now, can we say we did all we can to prepare to support students and ensure their success with an equity lens?

Lastly, here's a summary of all of the resources I have created since COVID-19 hit that can help colleges operate remotely.

Transitioning & Remaining Online/Remote

Teaching Online/Remote
Inclusive approaches, college-generated resources, science simulations, and more.

Free Downloadable Canvas Shell with Weekly Structure
Each module has the same content structure:
- Weekly Class Overview (what we are doing this week)
- Content (reading assignments; films links, etc.)
- Assignments (assigned readings; homework; discussion post)
- Discussion Post (student posts moderated by professor)
- Summary (overview of what was covered in the module and transition into the next module)

Focus on the Basics: Doing Online Teaching Well
- Getting Started
- Online Pedagogy & Assessments
- Developing Faculty Support Systems

Institutional Planning & Implementation

Settings: Operating a College in Times of Crisis
Learn how two colleges used the concept of settings to address the daily challenges of COVID-19.

How to Prepare to Remain Virtual
Learn how to use logic models to plan to remain virtual.

Guided Pathways Checklist (Yes, During COVID)
Students need guided pathways with an equity lens now! What has your college accomplished and what's the outcomes-based plan of action for 2020-2021?

Virtual Student Success Teams
Learn how to consider planning and implementing virtual student success teams.

Webinars
Student Success Strategies | Institutional Planning & Implementation

Onward...this is our moment to shine.

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