[Faculty] Additional suggestions for converting courses to online delivery and minimizing bandwidth issues

Tue Mar 17 12:14:19 MST 2020

Everyone,

We've become aware of potential bandwidth constraints on Zoom class meetings once classes start tomorrow.  Here are some resources for you.  Importantly, Lisa Elfring from OIA has the following advice:

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Hi Mike,
I have had that bandwidth situation relatively frequently at home, and even (rarely), when Zooming on campus. I do try to shut down video when that happens in either location—it really varies in whether it helps or not.

My strong recommendation for instructors as they begin this process is EMPATHY: thinking about using a strategy that can be accessed asynchronously (ie, even lecture notes put on D2L, but ideally Panopto recordings of lectures), supplementing with Zoom as technology is available to have class meetings that are recommended or not required, or scheduling several class meetings a week but only requiring one or none. Some students may not have internet bandwidth to participate in synchronous meetings (and of course, time, as discussed toward the end of Gary’s email).  If they have kids at home, or small siblings, that will also limit their ability to engage synchronously. And let’s remember that there will soon be many sick people in the community—some students, but also family members for whom they may be caring.

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Note that Lisa's advice revolves around a shift in thinking about how you'll deliver the course the rest of the semester, at least it was a shift in my thinking.  Rather than view this as offering your class synchronously at the scheduled time each class day, she suggests thinking in terms of making Panopto recorded lectures available 24/7 and then having synchronous meetings for discussion that are optional, or perhaps once per week.  You can adapt this strategy to your own courses, and you can shift to it if you aren't ready to go this week.  This could take a lot of pressure off both the IT network and students who may be juggling multiple constraints from home that they would not have had on campus.

I believe Jim Hunt and Melody Buckner will address this in today's Dial the Dean meeting at 2:00pm.

Also, please have a look at the attached Powerpoint deck that was sent over by John Pollard in the Honors College.  Some of you may have seen this already.  There are many helpful suggestions in here.

Please let me know (and copy your Unit Head as well) when and if you encounter technical problems with your course delivery.  We don't know quite what to expect once the entire campus is teaching online at the same time, so if you can develop a Plan B or even Plan C as Lisa suggests, it may turn out to be really helpful in keeping your course on track and lowering stress levels for all.

Stay healthy!

Mike

Michael Staten | College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Bart Cardon Associate Dean for Career and Academic Services
Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics
The University of Arizona
Forbes Hall, Room 211
The University of Arizona
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
PHONE: 520.621.1932
statenm at email.arizona.edu<mailto:statenm at email.arizona.edu>
www.mikestaten.com<http://www.mikestaten.com>

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