CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

Visit the new website of CURRENT STUDENT RESOURCES dedicated to student success at UIC.  This website is a One-Stop Shop with loads of information and resources for YOU, including:

• Tutoring for your classes
• Coaching to help you navigate UIC
• Student Life
• Mental Health
• Technology
• Financial Aid
• Health and Safety
• Getting Around Campus
• and more . . .

Please explore the site and learn about all of the ways UIC can support you and your academic success!

UIC is taking a phased approach to reopening the university in light of COVID-19. The Circle Back to Campus Plan, which aligns with federal, state and city guidelines related to COVID-19, provides comprehensive information to prepare you for your return to campus. It covers everything you need to know including personal health and safety, academics and instruction, technology and related resources, research, campus life and more. Because of the continued uncertainty around COVID-19, we know that plans may have to change due to the progression of the virus and/or government guidelines. We will continue to keep you updated via the web, email and other communications. The most updated information can be found on the Road to Recovery webpage.

As many courses are now being offered online, please consult ACCC to find the resources and support that you need. Student Focused support can be found in their Academic Continuity Student section.

Laptop and Equipment Lending: The Academic Computing and Communications Center (ACCC) provides short-term loans of various equipment to support the academic needs of students and faculty.  If you do not have access to a computer at home, ACCC may have a laptop to lend you, please visit ACCC Student Learning Fall 2020, Basic Requirements for more information. Additionally, you can visit go.uic.edu/academic-continuity-students to review other equipment lending opportunities that may be available to you.

Additional Teaching and Learning Resources:

“Drive-Up WiFi Map” provides the geographic location for public drive-up WiFI hotspots in Illinois. These hotspots are intended for remote learning during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The interactive map provides drive-up WIFi hotspots with specific guest log-in instructions by site for educators and students engaged with PreK-12 and higher education.

Remote Learning: The Tools & Resources You Need

First at LAS: Adjusting to Online Courses 

Tips for Adjusting to Online Learning

Troubleshooting Tips 

Tips for students using Blackboard Collaborate: created in the College of Engineering-Computer Science

LAS academic advising is available online and appointments can be scheduled via student.las.uic.edu. Currently, LAS academic advising is facilitated through the web-based application Webex. You may find it help to familiarize yourself with this application; information is available on ACCC’s website:https://accc.uic.edu/services/communication-collaboration/conferencing/webex-meetings/. For further information please visit LAS Advising.

Students can use use XE Registration to search for how classes will be offered in Fall: Fall 2020 Course Format Resources.

The Math and Science Learning Center (MSLC), the Writing Center , and the Foreign Language Peer Tutoring Center are open and available for tutoring in an online format.

The First-at-LAS Academic Success Program focuses on supporting first-generation LAS students and offers tips for adjusting to online learning. Please visit the website for important resources and programs, including a faculty-mentorship program.

The LAS Career Development Office supports students through self-guided online resources, career and internship advising, and larger programs and workshops to help students find a fit with their major and explore career paths. All events are being held online for fall 2020.

If you have family or friends in the areas that are directly impacted by COVID-19 and you need support or assistance, there are a variety of resources for students and employees at the following campus link: UIC Today: Support for the UIC community (COVID-19) resources for Students and Employees

The LAS Dean’s Office is once again pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships (up to $1,000) to LAS students who require assistance with educational expenses (e.g. tuition, fees, housing, books or other unforeseen expenses) due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Application criteria do not require a FAFSA in order to qualify. The application deadline for fall is October 26 and students can access the application via the UIC scholarship portal: https://snap.uic.edu/

The U & I Care Program is an initiative of the Dean of Students to identify resources and provide assistance to students dealing with personal hardship. The program educates the campus community about services and programs on and off campus.

The Dean of Students and Office of Diversity have developed this  UIC Resources for Students- COVID-19 page to help support you during this time.

The Office of Diversity has created “Singing from Balconies” a space where UIC students, faculty and staff can submit their testimonials on how they are experience the COVID019 quarantine.

Join and connect with the  Virtual Communities hosted by the Centers for Cultural Understanding & Change.

The Disability Resource Center and the Disability Cultural Center have partnered to create an Online Events Accessibility Guide! Focusing on virtual events, this guide offers a consolidated resource for event planners as they facilitate accommodations, and it details ways to build accessibility into events from the start.  Check out the guide at go.uic.edu/AccessibleOnlineEvents

The impact that COVID-19 is having on our health, finances, and daily life is enormous, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences would like to share some advice and resources from Dr. Jenna Rowen, director of the Office of Applied Psychological Services at UIC.

You can download a colorful, printer-friendly version of Dr. Rowen’s recommendations here.

UIC is taking a phased approach to reopening the university in light of COVID-19. The Circle Back to Campus Plan, which aligns with federal, state and city guidelines related to COVID-19, provides comprehensive information to prepare you for your return to campus. It covers everything you need to know including personal health and safety, academics and instruction, technology and related resources, research, campus life and more. Because of the continued uncertainty around COVID-19, we know that plans may have to change due to the progression of the virus and/or government guidelines. We will continue to keep you updated via the web, email and other communications. The most updated information can be found on the Road to Recovery webpage.

Check here for COVID-19 Policy Updates and Communications from the Provost

ACCC has designed an online teaching tutorial to guide instructors through the use of best practices, resources, tools, and technologies to build online courses..

“Drive-Up WiFi Map” provides the geographic location for public drive-up WiFI hotspots in Illinois. These hotspots are intended for remote learning during the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The interactive map provides drive-up WIFi hotspots with specific guest log-in instructions by site for educators and students engaged with PreK-12 and higher education.

Tenure track faculty as well as faculty on “Q” probationary appointments employed during the 2020 Spring semester may apply for a one-year extension of the probationary period as outlined in the recent COVID-19 Rollback policy. Please see the policy for details and for access to the online form.

For tenure track faculty in their T5 year or for those in the final year of their Q contract, the Tenure Rollback deadline is May 15, 2020. For T1-T4 and Q faculty not in their final year, the deadline is December 15, 2020.

The Disability Resource Center and the Disability Cultural Center have partnered to create an Online Events Accessibility Guide! Focusing on virtual events, this guide offers a consolidated resource for event planners as they facilitate accommodations, and it details ways to build accessibility into events from the start.  Check out the guide at go.uic.edu/AccessibleOnlineEvents

Please note there currently are travel restrictions for UIC employees due to COVID-19.  Travel needs to be pre-approved by the Provost’s Office. Please see the travel tab at https://hr.uic.edu/covid-19-roadtorecovery/ for further instructions including the process and criteria for approval.  Requests should be emailed to our Director of Fiscal and Business Affairs, Sarah Tapper at  sdombr3@uic.edu.

Feedback gathered from Members of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board.

1. Course Design and Communication:
   • Students appreciate emails at the beginning of each week, letting them know what to expect that particular week: goals, assignments, deadlines, etc.
   • Students appreciate being asked during the semester for feedback on how the course is going.
   • Students appreciate being able to see their grades posted in Blackboard as soon as possible after an assignment is graded.
   • Students like synchronous class sessions that are a combination of lecture format with other modes of instruction (i.e., they have an easier time following the material if not all synchronous sessions are in a lecture format.)
   • We know that you are receiving many more emails from students than ever before. At the same time, students have a hard time asking clarifying questions regarding course content and would like to receive more feedback.

TIP: Help your students remain organized by communicating frequently! In order to manage the volume of questions, consider having a Q&A discussion board in your Blackboard course and encourage students to answer each other’s questions. Rethink some of your communication strategies and course design following this list of best practices!

2. Student Engagement within and beyond the Classroom Setting:
   • Students miss the opportunity to formally and informally interact with their peers and to meet each other.
   • Students commented on how much they appreciate it when their instructor cared about them as a person (checking in if the student has not logged in, etc.) and offered an opportunity to tell them their story.

TIP: Create engaging discussion board assignments that allow students connect with each other. Use the student performance analytics available in Blackboard to follow up with students who are falling behind. In synchronous settings, create breakout rooms with clear roles and assignments for small group discussions or group assignments.

Every course – regardless of whether it is taught asynchronously or synchronously – needs to have student drop-in hours so students can virtually meet with their instructor when they need guidance and a one-on-one connection.

Encourage your department to hold virtual (fun!) events to create an extended sense of community. See a full list of best practices and tips for effective and engaging communication with your students!

3. Technology:
   • Students appreciate the course template in Blackboard as it helps them stay organize across all of their courses.
   • Students appreciate it when synchronous sessions are recorded and made available via Blackboard.
   • Students are facing technology issues and feel penalized if they miss parts of class because of connectivity issues (especially if material on exams is only covered in the lecture and the lecture is not recorded) or if they have issues during exams.
   • Students would like you to be aware that poor video quality of faculty prepared materials can make learning more difficult.
   • Student do not like it when platforms (such as google docs) are used instead of working exclusively in Blackboard. It makes it harder for them to remain organized for their various courses.

TIP: Continue using the Blackboard course template made available by ACCC. Create flexibility for students who have technology issues. Seek assistance from the LAS course supporters for technology or general Blackboard assistance.

4. Assessment:
   • Timed exams in Blackboard and exams using Respondus can be stress-inducing, especially for students with technology challenges.
   • Students recommend designing exams in Blackboard that list all questions on one page so that students have the option of going back to previous questions.

TIP: Develop low-stakes practice exams for students in the selected testing environment. Consider methods of assessment beyond traditional quizzes and exams. The Center for Teaching Excellence has created a report on assessment guidelines.  Consider implementing transparency in your assessment design.

Further Recommendations: LAS Remote Teaching Resources

LAS Spring 2021 Instructors! The Semester is Fast Approaching:  

• Are You Developing a New Online Class for Spring 2021 (asynchronous or synchronous)?

  • Get started:
    • Request the Spring 2021 Blackboard Template and join the upcoming webinar.

Date: Tuesday, October 13
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Zoom Link: go.uic.edu/LTSwebinar

• Take a short self-paced tutorial on the Basics Steps of Teaching Online
• Review the Tips on Converting your Syllabus webinar
• Create effective synchronous sessions
• Access ACCC’s full Online Teaching Resource page
• Use one of the syllabus toolkits made available by the Center for Teaching Excellence
• Access the LAS Remote Teaching Resources page

Would you like to receive assistance from a dedicated LAS graduate student course builder? Make a request ASAP!

The course builders can help you organize your course, upload materials, can get you started with recording lectures, can help you build discussion boards, can create assessments, and can serve as a sounding board for ideas.

• Are You Teaching the Same Course as during the Fall?

  • Get your Blackboard course ready for spring
  • Learn what recommendations students have for faculty
  • Refresh your syllabus by using one of the syllabus toolkits made available by the Center for Teaching Excellence
  • Review the LAS Remote Teaching Resources page

Would you like assistance from a course builder to make improvements and adjustments to your course?

• For example:
  • Copy your course forward in Blackboard
  • Re-record or edit some of your videos
  • Change discussion board topics or set-up of the discussion board
  • Set up retention center for student performance indicators
  • Set up assessments in Blackboard (including Respondus)
  • Help caption videos
  • Work on general improvement of the course organization

Reach out to LAS graduate student course supporters at any time by emailing lassupport@uic.edu. They can also provide you with a quick refresher on certain topics or tools (VoiceThread, Panopto, etc.) or can give you feedback and suggestions on your course.