Bridging the Divide - 2020 Series
Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic drastically upended the higher education enterprise, particularly in the areas of teaching and learning. Stay at Home/Shelter in Place orders required higher education leaders to respond quickly by moving all courses to remote learning. In just week one of the Governor’s announcement, the Universities of Louisiana engaged in a wholesale, sudden shift to remote instruction, requiring all instructors to adapt how they provide instruction. Data showed that over 90% of all face-to-face (F2F) and hybrid courses, across the University of Louisiana System (UL System), were moved to either online or remote learning within week one. While this illustrated the tenacity and resiliency of the faculty, staff, and students, it also highlighted digital inequities across teaching and learning.
Track 1: Technology and Tools for Online Learning
As new technologies have become more reliable, viable, and sometimes more affordable, they’ve brought exciting opportunities to reconsider how we teach, engage with, or involve learners in different ways. Track 1 seeks training materials around technology and tools for online learning.
Track 2: Quality Matters
The online learning infrastructure area starts from the premise that quality and equity are inextricably linked. Track two proposals should align with an area of Quality Matters. Examples include, but are not limited to, course design and alignment/communication/instructions and grading rubrics/accessibility.
Track 3: Innovative and Engaging Course Content
Courses should offer students the ability to demonstrate
their understanding of content through multiple digital formats.
Embedding a variety of technological resources; developing creative
assignments, and engaging course content are key
to course retention. Track three proposals seeks innovative
course assignments, discussion boards, and alternative exam options.
Track 4: Student Success Track
Student success goes well beyond the classroom. This track is designed to address matters related to student success outside of the classroom that can impact student’s classroom experiences.