Teaching

For all students:

You will be teaching from inside the scheduled physical classroom. Some students may be present in the physical space, while others may be participating remotely from outside the classroom. To accommodate all students, you will need to conduct your class via Zoom*.

For students participating inside the physical classroom:

Students should bring laptops to the classroom and log into the Zoom* session to access digital content (e.g., course slides). Participation in discussion, lecture, Q&A, etc. can happen live, in real-time. To minimize audio feedback and interference, students may wish to bring a headset or mute their Zoom* audio settings.

For students participating outside the physical classroom:

Students will participate in scheduled class sessions via Zoom* from a location of their choice outside the physical classroom (e.g., home, dorm, library, study room, etc.).

Technology

Instructors are strongly encouraged to record class sessions and make them available on Canvas.

Zoom Overview
This Pitt IT page provides a comprehensive overview of the features and functionalities of Zoom.

Recording a Zoom Session
This short video demonstrates basic steps on how to record your Zoom meetings to the cloud.

Using Zoom in Canvas
How to set up synchronous online class meetings with your students directly through Canvas using Zoom web-conferencing.

Best Practices for Recording Class Zoom Sessions in Canvas
This video describes how to set up a Canvas course with Zoom and Panopto and have it available for students to view in Canvas.

Broadcasting Zoom in the Physical Classroom
Using your laptop, Zoom, and existing audiovisual equipment in the physical classroom to broadcast a live in-person lecture to remote students.

Storing and Editing Zoom Recordings
How Zoom recording are automatically transferred to Panopto for storage, and then deleted out of the Zoom Cloud. You can then edit, use and share these recordings in a number of ways, both in and outside of your Canvas courses.

If you have questions about technology or the configuration of your classroom, please reach out to Classroom Services in the Teaching Center.

COVID Safety Measures

Pitt’s Health Rules
As the pandemic has evolved, so has the University’s response. Based on the the latest data and public health guidance, the Healthcare Advisory Group has revised our Standards and Guidelines and implemented the following rules for all Pitt campuses.

COVID-19 Standards and Guidelines
The University’s Standards and Guidelines, which provided a standardized set of requirements and expectations for activities and behavior, are available here. This set of rules and guidelines became effective on Aug. 9, and will be reviewed and updated periodically, as needed.

Instructor and Staff Scenarios
This website provides a variety of scenarios and solutions for instructors to use when dealing with students, faculty, and/or staff are not wearing face coverings properly inside University buildings.

Power of Pitt
As the University of Pittsburgh responds to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, this website provides the latest updates on steps Pitt is taking to protect the health of undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and community members while maintaining Pitt’s core teaching, research and service missions.

Student Communication

There are a variety of recommended statements you can add to your syllabus and/or post in your Canvas classroom, including one focusing on health and safety.

You should consider posting or sending an announcement to your students regarding the Remote Access to Courses for the first two weeks of the term.

Important issues to address include:

• Inform students if you will be teaching remotely or in the assigned physical classroom.
• Describe your students’ options for participation (i.e., remote or in the assigned physical classroom).
• Remind students to bring their laptops to with them if they are participating in the assigned physical classroom.
• Remind student that the class will meet synchronously, at the schedule class times.
• Advise student to contact you as soon as possible if they are in quarantine, isolation, or become ill.
• Emphasize to students that the remote access to courses option will end on Sept. 13, 2021 and subsequent classes will meet face-to-face, in the assigned classroom.

Instructor Office Hours

During this time, we suggest you consider conducting office hours virtually.

Other Considerations

We learned a great deal over the last several semesters. Some important valuable practices to continue include:

• Monitor and acknowledge your students health and well-being.
• When appropriate, be flexible and adaptive.
• Build a sense of community and shared identity among your students.
• Recognize that uncertainty, unpredictability, and change can be stressful for everyone.
• Consider adjustments you may need to make to your courses(s) when moving between a physical classroom and remote environment.
• As always, consider accessibility and inclusion.

* Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or other video conferencing platforms.