Faculty TipSheet Instructional Continuity
Planning for the unexpected
The importance of planning for the unexpected cannot be overstated. While there are times during inclement weather that it may be unsafe to come to campus, the university aims to continue functioning whenever possible. In that spirit, one of the university’s campus closing options with regard to classes is “in-person classes are canceled and follow instructional continuity plans.” Below are some tips for instructional continuity days.
Before the Semester Starts
- Add an instructional continuity statement to your syllabus. - "If in-person classes are canceled, you will be notified of the instructional continuity plan for this class by [mode of communication, e.g., @huskers.unl.edu email or Canvas]."
- Think through how the class could continue.
- Ask students to continue working on their own. This may be appropriate for readingheavy or experience-heavy courses (e.g., music lessons, labs).
- Hold class virtually via Zoom, Teams, or other mode. This may be appropriate (and necessary) for content-heavy courses with a packed syllabus. Interactive technology (e.g., discussion boards, digital whiteboards like Google Jamboard) can help facilitate virtual instruction. Be sure to meet at the regularly scheduled time and make a recording available in case students cannot attend (e.g., don’t have good internet access, have other obligations like children whose daycare/schools are closed).
- Reschedule for another mutually-agreeable time. This would only be appropriate for a very small class and should be respectful of students’ other commitments.
- Think through how course requirements could be affected.
- Could quizzes and exams be delivered via Canvas?
- Could some assignments be eliminated? Due dates be extended?
- Could student presentations be completed virtually (e.g., TikTok, Reel, Short)?
On Instructional Continuity Days
- If you are teaching an online course, you should continue without disruption.
- If you are teaching an in-person course, use the mode of communication indicated on your syllabus to notify your students of instructional continuity plans as quickly as possible. Include specifics about work they should do on their own, links for virtual class meetings, and/or changes to assignments.
- Whether you are teaching an online or in-person course, be gracious and kind to yourself and your students: inclement weather may have additional impacts, for example on internet access and childcare arrangements.