By Dr. Courtney Thornton, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Personnel and Policy
NC State’s Keep Teaching and Keep Learning websites were launched this semester with record speed. (Sure. In the history of the Internet, plenty of websites have probably gone up in three days or less. But in the world of higher education, it seems a noteworthy accomplishment.)
When a team from OFD, DELTA, and Faculty Affairs started work on Keep Teaching, and then again when the team from DASA and the Graduate School began work on Keep Learning, we recognized that both sites would launch with incomplete information. A small core team maintains each site, fielding FAQs and requests for updates and adjusting content almost daily. Despite the constant need for changes to keep each site fresh and accurate, we are grateful for anecdotes that the sites have proven to be useful resources for our instructors and students.
Summer sessions will potentially require some major updates or revamping of the sites. In a typical year, NC State offers many incoming first-year and transfer students the opportunity to come on campus early for a head start in coursework and their transition to college life. This year, these students will get their head start remotely. So we’re wondering and asking – what resources will our instructors need to support students who aren’t just new to remote instruction but who also are new to being university students?
This present pandemic crisis will pass, but other disruptions to our normal academic operations will come. NC State has an ongoing need to support the success of new or less experienced remote teachers and learners. We’ve got a long-term view to transition Keep Teaching and Keep Learning into more robust and engaging websites that will serve as useful Wolfpack resources for a long time to come.
In the comments, tell us your thoughts on aspects we should be sure to include or consider.