Preparing to Teach in Fall 2024

A preflight checklist for faculty preparing to teach in the upcoming semester

If you are new to teaching in the college, or are facing a change in how you typically teach, we are here to help.

This page contains many tips and resources to help you prepare for the semester. If you don't find what you need, contact the college's Digital Learning group at DigitalLearning [at] umass [dot] edu with questions or to schedule a consultation.

You can also contact the Center for Teaching and Learning and Instructional Media Lab for assistance.

New and Changed for Fall 2024

A few things to keep in mind that have changed or are new for this year.

  • AV systems have been changed in the 125 auditorium, 101, 102, 107, 201, and S115. These rooms have been upgraded or modified to improve their AV systems. If you teach in one of these rooms, be sure to test the system before the first day of class. EdTech is happy to give you a tour!  
  • Canvas is now the default for teaching classes. Only the Canvas LMS can be requested in SPIRE. Using Moodle requires special permission. Blackboard is no longer available. 
  • AI tools such as ChatGPT may still need attention. If you are concerned that students will be using these tools to circumvent their learning process, make sure to learn about AI and address these tools in your syllabus and in class. 

Preflight Checklist 

Note that class sites on Canvas will open to students one week before classes begin so that students can review materials and plan their semester. 

As you prepare your materials and class sites, check to be sure you have addressed some of these essential needs of students. Having easy access to class information and support services can make a big difference, especially to students who may need help getting their bearings in the first few weeks–especially first generation, nontraditional, international, neurodivergent, and members of other marginalized groups for whom the norms of higher education are not self-evident. 

The first page of your syllabus and course site should include: 

  • when and where the class meets (if synchronous) 
  • the Zoom link for any live class feed, office hours, or synchronous online gatherings
  • clear instructions on how to contact you if students have questions in the first weeks (email, Zoom room, office hours) 
  • attendance requirements with clear and supportive instructions for what students should do if they miss class due to illness or caregiving.  
  • descriptions and links (if ready) to any tools outside the LMS that you will be using, such as Zoom, Google Docs, Echo360, Teams, or Flipgrid.
  • a description of what students should be prepared to do in the first week(s) of class.

You should also prepare to hide anything that will not be ready in time for previews. All LMSs make it easy to hide content from students until it is ready. 

Keep compassion in mind (for you and your students)

People with suppressed immune systems are still at great risk from Covid19, so they and their caregivers will appreciate any steps you can take to help them stay safe. Anxiety and mental health issues are occurring among more people and with more severity than before 2020. Students arriving from high school had some part of their school experience disrupted by the pandemic, so their academic practices are likely to be less developed than we expect. 

Using compassionate, flexible language in your syllabus is an important way to support students who are struggling. If you are able to manage remote attendance in your classes, please continue to offer it. In the last few years, remote access has made a big difference to students who would have otherwise dropped out. Providing remote access doesn’t necessarily mean hosting a live Zoom feed every week; a standard weekly reflection activity that is performed remotely or in class can help students stay engaged even when they need to be out. What you chose to do needs to fit within your own capabilities, and anything you do will be helpful to someone who needs it.

Additional advice and resources:

Who to call for support 

EdTech - in the College of Education provides support for hardware, software, and access issues. Also a collection of equipment for managing remote attendance that is available for check out. 

Digital Learning - in the College of Education can consult on instructional uses of technology, strategies for online learning, techniques for managing remote attendance, and more.  

Center for Teaching and Learning offers phone and Zoom consultations and resources about teaching remotely, and in general.

Instructional Media Lab provides help with tools such as Moodle, Zoom, and Echo360 (and is staffed by supernaturally patient consultants).