Contingency Planning for H1N1 Influenza and Social Distancing

Based on both local and regional evidence, Auburn University needs to be prepared for a significant number of H1N1 flu cases. The Provost's office has asked each faculty member, instructor, and GTA, with the assistance of their departments and College/School administrators, to prepare contingency plans for completing courses under the difficult situations H1N1 could create. Such plans are above and beyond the standard anticipated absence/student participation and attendance policies described in the Faculty Handbook, Ch. 4, "Instruction."

Your contingency plan should be submitted no later than September 16, 2009, to your department head, with syllabus included.

Here are some important facts:

AU is unlikely to face a full closure of the University.
AU will likely be faced with a large number of absences.
For any individual, the H1N1 flu generally runs its course in 5 to 7 days.
Absences will probably continue through the fall and into the spring term.
For individual students and faculty members, this need not be a semester-ending event, but it will be a frustrating and disruptive one.
OIT has been instructed to provide special support for the academic community so that education can continue, despite multiple absences of students and instructors. ACES-Ag IT is coordinating with OIT in this effort.

The kinds of problems that classes will face include:

A need for easily accessible, and sometimes easily updated, class information such as:

Syllabus, assignments, class notes, exam dates and locations;
Make-up procedures for class meetings, homework, labs, quizzes, exams, etc.

Assistance in determining appropriate (and even creative) means to convey this information and carry out procedures.
Assistance in using the relevant IT tools.
Easy and quick access to this assistance.

Relevant web sites:

AU H1N1 Influenza Web site: www.auburn.edu/emergency/flu.html
Resources for Developing Contingency Plans: www.auburn.edu/img/resources

Relevant Instructional Technology Tools

Blackboard

The class roster and gradebook for every section of every credit course is already set up within Blackboard. Syllabi, notices, and assignments can be posted easily. Other functions are also available.

The Instructional Media Group (IMG) offers individual assistance:
- On request in the IMG Lab at room 0015 Haley Center,
- By telephone at 4-5181, and
- On the IMG Web site at www.auburn.edu/img/blackboard/help.
ACES-Ag IT specialists have completed training in Blackboard basics with IMG and are available to assist faculty members.

Class Recording and Delivery Tools

Tools include Wimba Live Classroom, Adobe Connect, Panopto CourseCast, ScopiaDesktop, Podcasts, and PowerPoint with audio. Comparisons of some of these tools are available at www.auburn.edu/img/connect/files/comparison.pdf and www.ag.auburn.edu/ctu/techref/video.

Wimba Live Classroom

Course Capture and delivery tool that is fully integrated with Blackboard. Contact IMG to learn more.

Adobe Connect

Communication and recording system giving small or large groups Web-rich meeting tools with media and content sharing. Best used for delivering content from one or two to many. Used from a personal computer (PC). Learn more at www.auburn.edu/img/connect.

Panopto CourseCast

Allows quick and effective capture of presentations, lectures, courses, and meetings. Integrates and indexes lectures with presentations and automatically posts and catalogs them on the Web for access. Content can be archived for later viewing and/or broadcast live with interactive participant feedback. Can be done from a personal computer (PC) or classroom. Learn more at www.aces.edu/ctu/techref/video.

ScopiaDesktop

Fully interactive communication and recording system for small or large groups. Allows media and content sharing. Best used when full interaction from all participants is required. Integrates with existing videoconference resources. Used from a personal computer (PC). Learn more at www.aces.edu/ctu/techref/video.

Podcasts

Recorded audio or video presentations formatted so that they can be downloaded and viewed on a portable media player (e.g. an MP3 player such as an iPod) or on a computer. CourseCast offers this automatically. Learn more about podcasting best practices at www.auburn.edu/img/howtos/itunes.html. Visit the AU iTunes Web site at www.auburn.edu/img/itunes to learn more about policies, getting started, and FAQs.

PowerPoint with Audio

Learn about best practices for PowerPoint and how to add narration to a slideshow at www.auburn.edu/img/howtos/powerpoint_2003.html (Office 2003) and www.auburn.edu/img/howtos/powerpoint_2007.html (Office 2007).

Web Sites

You may choose to maintain your own Web site with class material. However, be sure grades are not posted there.