Dear Deans, Department Chairs and Instructional Leaders,
The mission of the GW Libraries and Academic Innovation Instructional Core for Advocacy, Research, and Excellence (ICare) in Teaching and Learning is to support the instructional and learning enterprise of George Washington University.
You are receiving this email because you are designated as a key stakeholder in the Libraries and Academic Innovation Instructional Core’s COVID-19 Instructional Continuity Plan
This message is in direct support of the memo distributed by Provost Brian Blake to the Academic Deans stating,
“Our Instructional Core, in the library, has prepared training modules for faculty on how to use blackboard to create synchronous class sessions and other forms of instruction online…it has become clear that we need to step up our training efforts to make sure that all faculty are ready to move online if necessary” (February 28, 2020).
The Instructional Core has designed an action plan to ensure that all departments of the University can meet the expectation that all face-to-face course work can be transitioned to online learning opportunities by the close of Spring Break (March 15, 2020)
Below we outline the Communication Plan, Resources, and Opportunities that we ask you to consider as you develop your own strategies in your host school and department. Please distribute this plan to your instructors freely as it contains important information they will likely need in the next several weeks.
Communication Plan
Instructional Continuity Website. We recommend that faculty are made aware of this resource that has information and checklists for both students and faculty about how to transition with little effort to online learning utilizing simple tools available within Blackboard and supported by the Instructional Core. (https://campusadvisories.gwu.edu/instructional-continuity)
Instructional Core email. Direct access to ICare dispatch can be gained by using [email protected]. Faculty questions will be answered within any given business day and dispatched to any number of Instructional Core professionals who will provide swift support as needed.
Instructional Core departments. The departments and the services of the Instructional Core can be found on the LAI face page: (https://lai.gwu.edu/)
Blackboard Support. Blackboard is supported 24/7 through the Instructional Core team as well as through our vendor. Access to this support can be gained through calling 202-994-4948 in addition to using [email protected].
Resources and Opportunities
We will be providing several options for faculty training:
- Face-to-Face Gelman Training Sessions (Basement of Gelman B05)
- Face-to-Face School Training Sessions (Upon Request)
- Walk-In Gelman Consultations for Faculty (Basement of Gelman B05)
- Walk-In School Consultation (Upon Request)
- Webinars (Online)
- After hours Training Sessions (Basement of Gelman B05)
- Expanded Schedules for maximum participation. (Gelman and at Schools)
- Ongoing technical and pedagogical support (Walk-ins and Online)
- Self-help Resources (Online)
- Online Training and Consultation opportunities in the event of closure (Online)
Face-to-Face Gelman Training Sessions
Our general training schedule can be found here.
In addition to our regularly scheduled training portfolio, a special two/three-part series on instructional continuity has been designed that if utilized by instructors, we believe transitions to online learning will be fully achievable. Register here
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Large Enrollment Courses
Face-to-Face School Training Sessions (Upon Request)
We invite requests to provide face-to-face training sessions in your school. Special requests should be made through [email protected]. One of our professionals will arrange for a session that suits your needs and schedule.
Walk-In Gelman Consultations for Faculty
Walk-in assistance is available at Gelman Library at the Instructional Technology Laboratory between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm. Enter through the main Gelman entry and proceed to level LL via the elevators and walk straight ahead to the ITL. Professionals are there to assist.
Webinars
Registration is required for all webinars. You can register here
Tuesday, March 10 2 – 3pm
(Webinar) INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Thursday, March 12 11am – 12pm
(Webinar) INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Monday, March 16 12:30 – 1:30pm
(Webinar) INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Wednesday, March 18 11am – 12pm
(Webinar)INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Friday, March 20 12:30 – 1:30pm
(Webinar) INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Monday, March 23 3:00 – 4:00pm
(Webinar)INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Tuesday, March 24 3 – 4pm
(Webinar) INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Walk-In School Consultation (Upon Request)
We can arrange a walk-in period with an ICare professional at your school so as to make it easier for faculty to access services. Special requests should be made through [email protected] One of our professions will arrange for a session that suits your schools needs.
After hours Training Sessions
We have created an after hours training schedule to accommodate those who require it. We recommend suggesting adjunct faculty who may not be able to meet during the day to access these resources. You can register here
Wednesday, March 25 6 – 7pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Thursday, April 2 6 – 7pm
(Webinar) INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Expanded Schedules for maximum participation
We have expanded the general training portfolio of the Instructional Core. Consult our online schedule to access training times and locations.
Workshops Location: Gelman B05 (All scheduled face-to-face workshops will be delivered online in the event of a closure)
Monday, March 9 3 – 4pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Tuesday, March 10 11 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Large Enrollment Courses
Wednesday, March 11 12 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Large Enrollment Courses
Thursday, March 12 3 – 4pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Large Enrollment Courses
Friday, March 13 11am – 12pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Friday, March 13 12 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Monday, March 16 3 – 4pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Large Enrollment Courses
Wednesday, March 18 2 – 3pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Thursday, March 19 11am – 12pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Thursday, March 19 12 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Monday, March 23 11am – 12pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Tuesday, March 24 12 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Wednesday, March 25 12 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Monday, March 30 10 – 11am
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Getting Started with Blackboard
Tuesday, March 31 12 – 1pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Thursday, April 2 11am – 12pm
INSTRUCTIONAL CONTINUITY: Creating Online Lectures and Live Virtual Classroom
Ongoing technical and pedagogical support
As always, the Instructional Core provides technological and pedagogical support to instructors working in BOTH face-to-face and online settings. Assistance can be gained by contacting [email protected].
Self help Guides
We provide a variety of helpful self-help guides that faculty have found useful when creating online coursework. These step-by-step guides cover a wide variety of functions that lead to ease in constructing online activities.
Online Training and Consultation opportunities in the event of closure
In the event of a University closure due to COVID-19. The Instructional Core will continue its usual services through online and virtual communications. You will be kept aware of developments as they occur and in conjunction with university-wide announcements.
Preparation have been considered to accommodate both an “open” university plan and a “closed” university plan in the event that George Washington closes as a result of COVID-19. Below we provide communications and resources as they pertain to each plan.
| University Open | University Closed | |
| Communications |
Email [email protected] Phone 202-994-0485 |
Email [email protected] Phone 202-994-0485 |
| Support |
GWIT Provides Tier 1 support for faculty and students. This encompasses issues related to access to Blackboard (NetID), Banner (student enrollment, faculty assignments) and email issues.
Instructional Technology Laboratory Tier 2 support for faculty on the how to aspects of Blackboard and other instructional technologies.
|
GWIT Provides Tier 1 support for faculty and students. This encompasses issues related to access to Blackboard (NetID), Banner (student enrollment, faculty assignments) and email issues.
Instructional Technology Laboratory Tier 2 support for faculty on the how to aspects of Blackboard and other instructional technologies.
|
| Workshops |
By req |
|
| Online Tutorials | Faculty Guides | Faculty Guides |
We encourage faculty to take advantage of these opportunities, so they are prepared to move instruction online, should that become necessary. At anytime you can contact the Instructional Core at [email protected] or if needed feel free to contact Gaetano R. Lotrecchiano, EdD, PhD, Associate Dean for Innovative and Collaborative Pedagogy at [email protected].
The Instructional Core looks forward to working with you!