COVID-19 News and Information for Faculty

The Provost asks all faculty to prepare Blackboard course sites that include the following minimum requirements:

1. An announcement area to inform students of developments in the course.
2. Instructor contact information, including phone, email, and when/how remote office hours will be held.
3. Course syllabus and other essential course documents.
4. Instructions on where to find additional course content outside of Blackboard (if applicable).
5. A general discussion board, monitored by the instructor, for students to post questions about the class.

• Be aware that not all students will have the same access to webcams, computers, and the internet. Design content and activities accordingly.
• Consider accessibility when creating course content and activities.
• Give students reasonable flexibility in completing activities and assignments.
• Focus on essential content and consider using sources from the Library or elsewhere rather than creating everything yourself.
• Most students carry a powerful computer in their pocket. Mobile apps for Microsoft Office, Blackboard, G Suite, and Zoom are available for free from iOS and Android app stores and work over cellular connections. (Students and faculty may install Microsoft Office on up to five devices, including phones and tablets.)
• The FCC has called on broadband and telephone service providers to promote connectivity for those impacted by pandemic. Many internet and cellular providers are responding by lifting data caps and offering other benefits for their customers during this time. Check with your provider to understand any additional benefits for your plan.

Boise State’s Center for Teaching and Learning has compiled an important resource guide for faculty that addresses pedagogy in times of disruption, guiding principles, conducting labs online, and much more:

Teaching Remotely at Boise State: A Guide for Faculty

While on-campus proctoring services are currently suspended, Review+ is a remote proctoring service available to Boise State students beginning March 30.

In addition to remote proctoring, Testing Center staff and others are available to consult with instructors about alternative assessment strategies.

Learn more about virtual proctoring, alternative assessments, and remote testing on the Testing Center website.

Contact the Help Desk for assistance with technical troubleshooting, information about upcoming workshops, hands-on drop-in sessions, and other opportunities to set up your course resources, or to connect you with the instructional technologists and instructional design consultants who can best provide the support you need.

Learning Remotely: The Office of Information Technology provides general information for students about tools and considerations for learning remotely/

Working Remotely: The Office of Information Technology provides general information about tools and considerations for working remotely, including forwarding work calls to your cell phone and accessing your desktop from remote locations.

Emergency Management and Continuity communicates accurate and timely information about emergencies affecting campus.