Academic Affairs Pandemic Information

Explanation of class formats (Dr. Theresa Cullen) - September 21, 2020

A video explaining the different class formats (Face-to-Face, Synchronous, Asynchronous, Hybrid/Mixed)

Classroom Technology and How to Use It - August 19, 2020

Classrooms and conference rooms at Arkansas Tech are equipped with a variety of technologies from projectors and screens for displaying information in a live class to cameras and document cameras for capturing and recording lectures for later viewing. Below are two resources to help identify which technologies are available in which rooms, and how to use those technologies to present your course content.

A comprehensive list of rooms and which technologies are available in each.

A video presentation by Director of Technology Learning Resources, Alex Manly, explaining the operation of the various classroom technologies.

Quick-start Guide for Webex Teams and Meetings - August 19, 2020

Quick-Start Guide to using WebEx Teams and WebEx Meetings (PDF)

Blackboard Expectations (Detailed Guidance) - August 17, 2020

This document reinforces the PowerPoint presentation of the same name on August 14th. This document contains annotations to each process, as well as expanded language regarding "regular and substantive" interaction.

Blackboard Expectations (Detailed Guidance) (PDF)

Adjunct Faculty Meeting, Fall 2020 - Dr. Barbara Johnson, Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr. Barbara Johnson's presentation to the members of the adjunct faculty on August 11, 2020.

Adjunct Faculty Presentation (PDF)

Infographic: Using Video to Assess Student Attention in Virtual Class Meetings

This one-page infographic describes best practices for interacting with students during virtual synchronous sessions (and why they matter).

Virtual Classroom Guide (Word)

ATU Online Quality Guidance - August 11, 2020

In the document linked below, please find guidance drafted by the Online Quality Committee during the 2020 spring semester for your consideration. As was discussed during development, this document provides both guidance and a process for departments and faculty members to consider when conducting a departmental or self-assessment of an 100% virtually-delivered course. The requirements of the Higher Learning Commission and our participation in NC-SARA (which allows Arkansas Tech to deliver online programs nationally) requires a means to assessing virtually delivered courses.

Please note this method of assessment is not a required method, but a framework available to the faculty. Colleges, departments, DPTCs, and faculty may use other means of assessing online courses (e.g., Quality Matters, the Online Learning Consortium rubric, or a locally developed methodology) at their respective discretion and under the primacy of the faculty.

ATU Online Quality Guidance (Fall 2020) (PDF)

Student Blackboard Quick Start Guide - August 11, 2020

Appropriate for sharing with all students, this one page guide provides students with the necessary information to facilitate a successful start to the Fall term.

Student Blackboard Quick Start Guide (PDF)

Academic Contingency Planning Meeting Notes - August 5, 2020

August 5 Meeting Notes (Word Document)

Student Notification of Schedule and Course Modality Adjustments - August 3, 2020

Students with schedule or course modality adjustments for the Fall semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic received an informational email this morning jointly developed by the Office of the Registrar and the Academic Advising Council.

Student Notification of Schedule and Modality Changes (PDF)

Introducing Blackboard Ally - August 3, 2020

The addition of Blackboard Ally to our learning management system will help Arkansas Tech University instructors improve the accessibility of course content and support our institutional commitment to an inclusive campus," said Alex Manly, director of technology learning resources in the ATU Office of Information Systems. "Learning materials will work better on mobile phones and tablets as well as with assistive technologies. With this addition of Ally to ATU’s virtual learning environment, students will also have the capacity to retrieve course content in an accessible, alternative format meeting their individual needs without assistance from an instructor. For example, an ordinary print document can be converted by Ally to a mobile-friendly version, an audio file, electronic Braille or ePublication. Improving the accessibility of course content will not only help ensure students with disabilities can access materials, it will also improve the learning experience for students who use mobile devices as well as who want to engage with the material in a different way.

Video Introduction: Blackboard Ally for Courses

Blackboard Ally Instructor Support Package (PDF)

Online Teaching Quick Start

Quick Start Guide to Remote Teaching on Blackboard (PDF)

Academic Contingency Planning Group (ACPG)

Meeting Minutes - July 29, 2020
Technology Update - July 29, 2020

Classroom student expectations - July 28

The linked PDF document, entitled Classroom Students Expectations Memo, includes the language to be used in your syllabus or course materials to establish the expectations of the behaviors of students while in any instructional space (classroom, lab, studio, etc.) to foster safety in these settings.