Outages

Right now, we are experiencing an Internet outage at PPCC.  (I'm piggy-backing on the student wireless network.)  So, while I'm on my laptop at work dealing with a slow connection, it came to mind, how do we deal with outages in our classes?

The unique thing about CCCOnline is the probability of everybody being down is very low.  Then again, it seems we always hear the line 30 minutes before and assignment or exam is due, "My Internet was down."  So, how do you balance this?

Personally, I'll give a student 48 hours for any reason.  They just have to contact me in advance of the due date.  What do you do?

Spring Break Issues

I know many of us are fully aware of the Spring Break issues.  However, if you are new at CCCOnline, here's some things to remember.  First, CCCOnline does not take any time off for Spring Break.  While it might be nice to take a week off and sit in the sun, we just don't do it.  (If you know why CCCOnline doesn't take Spring Break, I'd be curious to know.)

Secondly, at least one of your students doesn't know CCCOnline isn't taking Spring Break.  So, how do you prevent this issue?  You could give a week where nothing is due and put twice as much work the following week.  Then again, to me, that's just another name for taking Spring Break.  I would go back to making sure you are mentioning it in your News items and maybe even in your Discussion area.

Lastly, even if CCCOnline isn't taking time off, students (and instructors) will still be traveling.  Any time you are traveling, make sure your students know when you are going to be away from the class, so they aren't waiting for replies.  Also, make sure to communicate what the expectations are for students who are away for several days.  Personally, I make sure the Spring Break time is pretty light, but there are still items due each week.

How do you handle Spring Break?

Accommodations

I suppose a big part of this blog is talking about things which come up you weren't planning for.  Well, one hit this morning.  I got an email from Roxanne asking me to make accommodations for a student with learning disabilities.

While this is something I have done many times in classes at PPCC, it's a first for me at CCCOnline.  However, it turned out not to be a big deal.  The student needed some extra time to complete timed exams.  Since I only have six Unit Exams and a Final which are timed, I only had seven items to fix.

In D2L, the project became even easier to complete.  I went to the Quiz and clicked on the pencil and went to the Restriction tab.  At the bottom is Special Access.  I gave the student special access, picked the time I wanted to give and saved.  All is done and it took me less than 15 minutes.

Sometimes, the surprises aren't that big a deal!