We're in this together- How are others dealing with this crisis?

How are others dealing with this crisis?

Ever feel a little better when you hear that others are in the same situation?
And how they are dealing with it?
The challenges? Hurdles? Victories?
Does that "Can do" gear (self-efficacy) kick in?

Tuesday, April 7, 3pm (CDT)

How Colleges Should Respond to the Coronavirus
Join this webinar (free)
Register here

Wednesday, April 8, 1 pm (CDT)

What Colleges Should Not Do in a Recession

Register Here: Free webinar from Chronicle of Higher Education. 

Educause recording its webinar- Transformation in a Time of Crisis: Changing  Courses Venues in Midstream.

What Students Want Colleges to Know About COVID-19
Recording featuring 3 college students who share their stories and advice for education leaders.


Thursday, March 26 | 1:00p.m. - 2:00p.m. ET | Online
Transformation in a Time of Crisis- Changing Courses Venues in Midstream

Additional Resources:

How to Make Your Own cloth face mask in 45 seconds
CDC shows how to use material you have on hand to make face mask.

Sustaining Higher Education in the Coronavirus Crisis
What is the best way to pivot to emergency online instruction?
How can colleges ensure students have access to the tech needed for remote learning?

COVID-19 Resource Page- Educause

Guide to Services Now Free (or Discounted) in Response to the Coronavirus

Developing Instructional Continuity- The New March Madness- Priorities

Yep- this is March Madness. 

Normally that term is reserved for post-season college basketball. 

Today March Madness has taken on new connotations- that few of us ever anticipated. 

(I have known this kid's parents for over 40 years, so I just had to:)

In this March Madness currently affecting us and the rest of world, institutions that are staying open are moving almost all classes online. (You know what I'm talking about, Willis)

• Where do we start?
• What tools are available for instructors?
• For students?
• What support is needed for instructors? Students?
• What have other institutions created?
• What lessons can we apply from other colleges' experiences with other national challenges? 911? Katrina? 
• What are common themes that institutions have addressed?

Enough already??!!!

Priority #1- Welfare and Safety of Students, Faculty, and Staff

Since the original March Madness has been cancelled, I have been looking and listening for what academics are doing. Twitter, listservs, email have been my go-tos.

From instructors who teach for Duke University in China to a president who lead his university back from Katrina, people and caring for their needs was at the top of everyone's list.

Resources:

Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus

How to Lead in a Crisis- Disaster advice-Former Tulane President during Katrina

Dear Students-Letter noting Personal, Academic, Social Challenges

Teaching Effectively in Times of Disruption-Stanford

In the Beginning- KISS

More the a Rock and Roll band in high heels and makeup.

KISS- Also a 4 letter acronym
(Keep It Simple Sam)

I am borrowing from Kevin Gannon of Grandview University (Des Moines, IA)

The following is from his article in the Chronicle of Higher Education
https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-to-Make-Your-Online-Pivot/248239/

Good Teaching is Good Teaching

"Good pedagogy requires:

• Regular, effective, and compassionate communication with students.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Transparency in course materials, like tests, assignments, and activities."

Keep it as simple, and accessible, as you can.

There are a lot of tools out there. Now is the time to use what you are familiar with. There will be time to learn the nuances of new tools. Keep in mind- any new tool you learn to use is one your students may need to learn also. 

Expect turbulence, change your flight plan accordingly.

Online doesn’t have to mean impersonal.

Talk to the the camera lens, not the computer screen.

In the beginning, KISS:

• Determine your finish line.
• Get to the starting line.
• Use what works for you and your students.
• Take care of yourself.

Getting to the Starting Line- Adventure into some Unknown and Known

All adventures start with the first step, Eh!

I can still picture myself sitting on Highway 61. North of Duluth with 6000+ of my best friends. The 4 from Thunder Bay ending each sentence with "Eh".

Getting ready to stand up and head to that starting line of Grandma's Marathon. Putting our best foot forward. Just  26+ miles until beautiful Duluth harbor and the end line. That first step was going to be followed by many more, eh!

Marathon and COVID-19? What do they have in common? Where are they different?

• We can't run away from this one.
• being in crowds is not good for this one. 
• Both take preparation. Preparation for instructional continuity as well as caring for the well-being of our students, our families, and equally important- our selves.
• There will be surprises. 
• Can you imagine someone running a marathon with his back aimed at the finish line? (Seen it) A week ago could you imagine not getting your haircut (feel fortunate that you have that challenge)? Or that you might not see your current students, seated in front of you? Crazy to imagine. There will be more surprises. How we react to them will be crucial. We cannot control everything on this adventure but we can control our reactions to it.
• Accept help and seek help when needed.
• Thank goodness for the folks handing out water and vaseline. (One for inside, other for outside). In this crisis we are here for you and your students. Call, email, Zoom. 
• Share what helped you.
• Keep the finish line in sight. 
• Forces will attempt to pull in many directions. There will be a finish line in this challenge. Seeing it now is the same as trying to see a finish line 26 miles away. It's there. Trust me. Just hard to see from here.
• There will be time to celebrate, just not now in groups larger than 10.
• We will be tired but I don't think too tired. This crisis is a big one. Might be the biggest some of us have faced.  
• What would a celebration of March Madness, Ides of March, Pi Day, St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo and more be called? (What da got?)  Can't wait to know the name, date, place, time. You're all invited.

SCC Instructional Technology Services in the COVID-19 Era

Between March 23 and when this dang thing is over, 

Instructional Technology Services will be here with the first mindset.

This mindset will get us much further (IMHO):

This one? (Maybe not so much):

Our concern is you and your students. We are here to help with:

• Zoom- webconferencing service for remote learning and teaching
• Apple computers, iPads
• recording video for your classes- equipment as well as training
• phone service- will a staff member need to perform regular work functions involving making/receiving/routing phone calls but from home

For assistance contact:

Bruce Huddleson bhuddleson@scciowa.edu x5080

Clay Huston chuston@scciowa.edu x5081