Preparedness

As NWACC is preparing for a possibly severe outbreak of both the seasonal and H1N1 flu, one of the more pressing concerns is how to maintain continuity in teaching and learning when students or faculty are not able to come to campus.

Listed below are several technology tools for faculty to be aware of in case of a voluntary or mandatory dispersion of students or faculty. Faculty are urged to work with students who may have a severe illness and consider accommodations on a case-by-case basis

NOTE:  Most of these suggestions are not intended for classes that already use one of the online systems [such as Blackboard], but rather for classroom-based courses that need to remain functioning for a short time in an unusual circumstance.

1.  NWACC Email

All NWACC students have an email account provided by the college.  This can be both an effective communication tool and a vehicle by which students can submit assignments and receive feedback.  Due to FERPA requirements, student grades should never be sent to any non-NWACC email addresses. 

If you plan to use NWACC email during an “emergency” situation, communicate with your students beforehand to make sure all your students know how to access and use it, and let them know that this will be your communication avenue in case of a class disruption.  Have students with NWACC email problems contact Student Records – 479-619-4398 -- for assistance.

You may also wish to create an Outlook contact distribution list.  Please see the PDF document HERE for instructions on how to do this.

2.  Course Studio

All courses at NWACC have automatic access to a part of My NWACC Connection called Course Studio.  Course Studio contains many of the same functions as Blackboard – email, chat, discussion area, file area, etc. 

A tutorial on the basic functions of Course Studio can be located HERE. 

A PDF tutorial on using email inside Course Studio can be found HERE.  The first 4 steps will only be needed by those who have courses that are also using Blackboard.   

3.  Other tools

There are many other ways to remain in touch with students outside of class if needed:

• Find out how to access the messages left on your office phone.  Call IT Tech Support for information – 479-619-4357

• Blogging, tweeting, wiki, a Facebook group, etc.  There are many tutorials available on the internet for these tools.  Just remember that most of these are not secure or private, and you must be aware of FERPA compliance in their use.

For more information on emergency preparedness at NWACC, contact:

Steve Pelphrey

Executive Director for Risk Management, Compliance and Ethics

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Office: 479-619-4127

spelphre@nwacc.edu

For questions/comments on this content, please contact dl@nwacc.edu

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