BOONE, N.C. — At the beginning of the 2020 spring semester, no one at Appalachian State University could have imagined a complete transition to online learning — with only days to prepare. Yet that is what occurred in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, and faculty continue to perfect their flexibility.
While Appalachian regularly offers a number of online programs, adapting all courses to that format tested even Mountaineer resiliency. A variety of resources were made available to aid in the transition — including the Keep Teaching and Keep Learning websites and the Center for Academic Excellence’s Faculty Champions, who assisted their peers.
Yet, how do faculty make sure students feel connected and supported in online course delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Four past recipients of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award shared their experiences and strategies. Here are some of their tips.
How to engage students when you can’t be face to face
- Email often with information, resources — and words of encouragement.
- Find ways to connect students to one another. For instance, one professor had students drop a “pin” on a Google Map to indicate their general location.
- Use virtual breakout rooms for students to meet in small groups for discussions and collaborations.
- Offer virtual office hours by Zoom as another “touchpoint” with students.
- Provide a forum for “off-topic” discussions, in which students can talk about how they are coping with their unusual circumstances during the pandemic.
- Use both synchronous options (real-time events, such as videoconferencing or live chatrooms) to provide an opportunity to interact and asynchronous instruction (including recordings, discussion forums and email) to provide flexibility to students.
- Keep things simple, determining what is necessary in the curriculum.
Associate professor, Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment
Associate dean, College of Fine and Applied Arts
Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Associate professor of music education, Hayes School of Music
Professor, Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
Director of the Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (IOHRM) master’s program
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About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://faa.appstate.edu.
About the Reich College of Education
Appalachian State University offers one of the largest undergraduate teacher preparation programs in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year. The Reich College of Education enrolls more than 2,000 students in its bachelor's, master's, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. With so many teacher education graduates working in the state, there is at least one RCOE graduate teaching in every county in North Carolina. Learn more at https://rcoe.appstate.edu.
About the Hayes School of Music
The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation. Noted for quality instruction by national and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate degree programs and three graduate-level programs. Learn more at https://music.appstate.edu.
About the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and unique location. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,400 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling approximately 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors and more than 180 graduate students in three master’s programs, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System. Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.