COMMUNICATE WITH STUDENTS EARLY AND OFTEN

From the good work of Keep Teaching UC Davis.

Early and frequent communication can ease student anxiety, and save you dealing with individual questions. Let students know about changes or disruptions as early as possible, even if all the details aren't in place yet, and let them know when they can expect more specific information.

• Let students know how often they can expect to hear from you (e.g., daily, weekly, etc.), and how (e.g., email, Canvas Announcements).
• Inform students of the expectations for attendance and participation under your modified remote teaching plan.
• Tell students how the class will operate during the period of instructional modification.
• Ask students what they need. Consider sending all students a survey to better understand their needs and preferences for remote instruction. Continue to check in as the course progresses. It may not be possible to accommodate all of their needs or requests, but the results can be used to inform the choices you make about remote instruction, and will help students to feel that you’re taking their personal situations into consideration.
• Tell students to monitor University Extension campus communication for updates.