Crisis and the Classroom

Unprecedented Teaching

Unprecedented times called for unprecedented teaching skills and unwavering commitment from the amazing Chemeketa faculty, who quickly adapted to a remote learning and work environment.

As we continue to adapt to an evolving and uncertain landscape, it is important that we sustain a level of teaching that promotes equity and the inclusion of every student. This is no ordinary challenge as we consider the many obstacles we experience as well as our students.

It is my hope that you find some helpful information from the resources below because - we are truly in this together.

Sincerely,

Vivi Caleffi Prichard
Chief Diversity Officer

Maintaining Equity & Inclusion in Virtual Environments

During this time of uncertainty and change, allow some flexibility for yourself and your students. Remember to seek support and assistance for yourself, as you work with students in this challenging environment.

Equitable Teaching in a Remote Learning Environment

This document lists a few tips for transitioning your class to a remote environment.

5 Important Considerations for Equity and Inclusion

by Kara Stone, Equitable Pathways Specialist
Vivi Caleffi Prichard, Chief Diversity Officer

The following suggestions for supporting equity and inclusion in remote learning environments are mainly sourced from San Diego State’s excellent online resource Maintaining Equity and Inclusion in Virtual Learning Environments and Rice University’s article Inclusion, Equity, and Access While Teaching Remotely. Additional resources can be found within each of the 5 considerations listed below.

  1. Ask Students

Consider a survey to better understand students’ needs.

TIP: Find examples of survey questions from Dr. Danya Glabau (NYU Tandon School of Engineering) and Dr. Lance Gravlee (University of Florida, Department of Anthropology)

When you ask students:

  • Be transparent in how you are able to respond. Offer referrals to resources.

  • Even if you can’t accommodate all their needs or requests

    • Students’ responses can inform how you shape your remote instruction.

    • It helps students feel that you’re taking their personal situations into consideration.


2. Be Accessible

With the shift to remote learning, students may need accommodations they had not previously requested, or need adjustments to their prior accommodations.

Accessibility Issues May Be Multidimensional

  • Physical impairments that may create challenges for reading/ seeing/hearing digital files and content

  • Psychological and/or learning differences that need accommodations such as extra time to process materials or additional exam time

Limited access to computers or reliable internet service

Tip: See Chemeketa’s Accessibility Resources and “Accessible Teaching in the Time of COVID-19” by Aimi Hamraie for accessibility guides and checklists.

3. Be Flexible

Students may experience physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or financial challenges that can impact motivation, learning, and concentration.

Keep in mind

  • Even when people are not directly impacted by a serious crisis, it can still impact their health and stress levels.

  • Some students may not be comfortable sharing with you how they are being impacted.

Considerations for Flexibility

  • Policies: Reassess grading weights, late policies and other course policies to give students some grace and transition time

  • Activities: Think of different options for how students can engage with the curriculum. Keep in mind that when the student signed up for your class their life circumstances were very different, they may no longer be able to dedicate the same time for a lecture, even when happening remotely

  • Assessments: Consider alternative methods for how students can show you what they have learned

Tip: Consider reviewing your syllabus based on this protocol from the Center for Urban Education at University of Southern California.

Sign up for the Chronicle of Higher Education's "5 Week to a Better Semester" newsletter. You will receive articles that will provide different perspectives about everything teaching-related: from syllabus construction to grading practices.

4. Be Identity-Conscious

In equity-minded practice, we acknowledge that students come to us with a range of different experiences and identities, vulnerabilities and needs.

Foster an Inclusive Environment Where Students Feel Supported

  • Be aware of your own bias by conducting a self-assessment. Within this article from The Chronicle of Higher Education, you will find information about a study that show the affect of unconscious bias on instructors' interactions with online students.

  • It is important to be aware that the COVID-19 situation impacts communities in different ways.

  • Be cognizant of the different needs of students.

    • Address issues of access to remote learning resources; some students may face risks at home.

  • Be alert to the racism and xenophobia issues that have been on the rise with COVID-19 news, in particular anti-Asian bias and harassment.

  • Address microaggressions in the online environments where students interact.

Tip: This one-hour webinar on Navigating Virtual Hate provides clear tips for instructors on how to address racism and xenophonia in the world of Zoom and virtual teaching.

5. Build Relationships and Community

In a remote learning environment, it is especially important to build interpersonal relationships with students and create an inclusive learning community.

Connecting with Students:

  • Be proactive and reach out to students; be alert to early warning signs that a student is struggling

  • Provide social connection opportunities and give timely feedback; this is more essential in remote learning environments than in-person classes

  • Provide a consistent class structure, methods of communication

Tip: This article from the Chronicle of Higher Education provides more ideas on how to connect with students.

Accessibility and Inclusion Resources

This document created by Heather Mariger, Chemeketa's Instructional Accessibility Advocate, lists several resources for making your online teaching more accessible.