Preparing and Guiding Your Students

Many MCC students will be new to learning outside of a traditional classroom. If you are new to the experience as well, do not be afraid to share this with students. Learning in a new modality together can be a wonderful bonding experience for faculty and students. We recommend to MCC faculty the following steps:

  1. Share with the students the article - Tips for Those Who Are New to Being an Online Learner.
  2. Provide students with your Continuity of Learning Plan.You can link it to your syllabus in Blackboard. Also share the Resources for Students During Remote Learning webpage.
  3. Share with your students the following tutorials
  4. Consider asking your students these Tech Survey questions (click here) so you have a clear understanding of what resources they have to work with.
  5. Arrange for virtual office hours This can be done asynchronously through email or using the Blackboard Collaborate.
  6. Make use of the Announcements feature in Blackboard to keep students updated.
  7. Reassure students that you and the college will do all we can to support their success.

Please note: If you have students who have documented accommodations, you are obligated to follow those accommodations. You will have the ability to extend time for online tests and exams on Blackboard. To do this, go the test/quiz function in Blackboard and follow these steps:

1. Go to the Edit Test Options link in the drop-down menu next to the specific test name.

2. Scroll down to Test Availability Exceptions.

3. Select Add a User or Group, click on the accommodated students’ names, and click Submit.

4. In the next screen, adjust the timer for the selected student(s) to allow for their extension (refer to student’s Accommodation Form for the amount of additional time), and then hit Submit again. Repeat these steps for each subsequent test or quiz.

This video provides a step-by-step demonstration, starting at minute 3:50:

Any questions should be directed to Student Access and Support Services: studentaccess@middlesex.mass.edu

NEXT: Technical Resources for Remote Teaching

Last Modified: 5/15/23