We understand that there is a great deal of effort needed to transition courses into a remote format. We also understand that a rapid transition to an online format will not result in a perfect class initially; we will do everything we can do provide online resources, in person training, and technological support to help you to adapt to this new situation. 

When and how am I expected to teach my scheduled classes?

Faculty are expected to teach remotely and synchronously using the Zoom platform in their assigned course time slots. You should record your Zoom sessions and upload them to Questrom Tools to make them accessible for students in different time zones.

What do I need to know about Zoom?

All faculty should master the basics of Zoom: navigating the platform, muting and unmuting participants, using the raise hands feature, and sharing your screen. Training is available on the following advanced features:

• Running a classroom discussion
• Creating small group breakouts
• Group and individual student presentations
• The white board feature
• Handwritten inputs

Can I use a platform other than Zoom?

We expect that all faculty will use the university-approved platform Zoom for live sessions. Our technology support teams are prepared to support Zoom and are preparing student training documents for this platform. We want to reduce the number of platforms that the students must learn in an effort to minimize the disruptions as they transition to remote learning. Therefore, no other platform should be used for instruction.

However, if there are significant pedagogical limitations to Zoom that can be fulfilled by another platform, please discuss your concerns with your department chair and with their approval petition Marcel Rindisbacher (c/o San Kim at sankim@bu.edu).

Where should I teach my sessions?

We strongly recommend that faculty teach their Zoom classes from their Questrom offices or their regularly assigned classrooms, which allows us to provide tech support for hardware and software problems and to react quickly should network bandwidth issues emerge. Your technology configuration is optimized for teaching in the office and the classroom. Anyone not teaching from Questrom are fully responsible for the delivery of their class and technical support.

As long as there is no shelter-in-place order issued that prevents faculty to teach from the office, we encourage you to continue to teach from your office, in particular, if you have concerns about support or face technological challenges at home. However, to prepare for a situation where the Questrom building is closed and offices inaccessible, please start to think about contingency plans for how you would teach from home or a place that remains accessible. As a shelter-in-place order can be issued without much lead time, please make sure that at any time you will have access to all the teaching material you need in order to switch to a remote delivery mode outside of Questrom. If you anticipate challenges, please inform your department chair.

Can I just pre-record my materials and have students view them asynchronously?

The preferred method of delivery for course content is during live Zoom class sessions. However, in the weeks to come as faculty become more comfortable teaching remotely, faculty may begin to think about recording short videos to deliver some of the more lecture-type of instructional content.

What should I do to prepare for teaching online?

Before your first class:

• Review your syllabus for any needed changes as you transition to online. Although you may need to modify the content, the process of teaching, and the way you evaluate student learning, the learning goals of your courses should remain unchanged.
• Anticipate that accommodations may be needed for students who are facing unique circumstances (for example, students who are in different time zones and may face temporal and technological challenges).
• Reach out to your students ASAP to provide details on how they will join the first (and future) online class meetings. Update them on any changes in course assignments, preparation, and/or requirements. Frequent communication with students about their remote learning experience will facilitate this transition.

What should I do in my first Zoom session?

Use your first session to show your students how you will use the Zoom platform and other technologies to deliver your class.

What modifications should I make for evaluating students?

If you change the way student performance is evaluated, assure that these changes are fair to your students and communicate them clearly. Given the circumstances, assume that students will collaborate, which means that effectively, all exams will be open-note, open-book, and unproctored.  Therefore, multiple choice exams are only useful as a check on comprehension and should not comprise a large percentage of the course grade. Short essay questions are recommended for exams. Make use of Turnitin (available on QuestromTools) as part of the upload process for written assignments and exams.  Timed exams are an option for assessment and could reduce the potential for collaboration. Include an honors pledge on each assignment (available on QuestromTools).

What resources are available to create online exams or quizzes?

Faculty can offer online exams and quizzes by using two tools available to all Questrom faculty: 1) the test feature in QuestromTools, and 2) ExamSoft. For more information about these tools contact Questrom ITS at questromhelp@bu.edu. In addition, check the Tech Quick Guides section of this site frequently for new training materials on these two tools.

Will BU move to pass/fail for the spring semester’s remote teaching and learning?

The question is a University-level decision and is actively under consideration by the University Provost and the Deans of the Schools and Colleges. Since this is a complex decision with potential impact on elements such as accreditation and students’ ability to apply for graduate programs, it is important that it is considered carefully and in partnership with the faculty of the University.

Currently, we have encouraged faculty to be understanding and flexible as they work with students to get through the remainder of the semester. We understand that there are, and continue to be, many questions related to grading for the spring semester. Please do be patient, and understand our top priority is ensuring that all students can complete this semester earning academic credit for their courses. We will communicate more information on this decision in the coming weeks.

Do I need to hold office hours?

Plan to offer office hours remotely as well, via Zoom, QuestromTools, or email.

What support is available for me?

Questrom ITS has developed a number of Zoom guides to help you with a variety of teaching issues:

• Zoom Set-Up Checklist
• Questrom Tools Setup Checklist
• Online Collaboration Tools
• Zoom: Screen And Audio Sharing
• Using Document Cameras/Tablets
• Zoom: Recording And Sharing Videos
• Zoom: Recording Attendance
• Zoom: Student Guide – Attending Remote Classes
• Zoom: Student Guide-Meeting In Teams

All of these guides are available at: https://questromworld.bu.edu/covid19/technology/tech-quick-guides/

ITS will continue to add guides as needed. In terms of both training and equipment needs, please contact questromhelp@bu.edu with your requests.  Finally, there will be more Zoom sessions next week but we have scheduled two sessions for this weekend focused on Case Teaching. Make sure to visit the Questrom IT and Questrom COVID-19 sites for more information on upcoming trainings.

If you have questions about syllabus changes or exams and assessments, email questromhelp@bu.edu to work with an instructional designer.  For additional tips and guidance, you might find This Inside HIgher Ed article helpful.