How will I collect student assignments?
Collecting assignments during a campus closure is fairly straightforward since many instructors already collect work electronically. The main challenge during a campus disruption is whether students have access to computers, as anyone needing a campus computer lab may be unable to access necessary technologies. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- It may be easy to collect assignments in small classes via email, but larger classes might swamp your email inbox. Consider using the tools below instead. Balance what is simplest and familar for students with what is easiest for you to manage.
- Assessment tools are built into:
- Require only common software – Students may not have access to specialty software located in on-campus computer labs. Some of that software may be available via IUware or IUanyWare, but unless the students have permissions to load software onto a computer they can access, they may be unable to use these tools. Be ready with a backup plan for such students.
- State expectations but be ready to allow extensions – In the case of a campus closure or other crisis, some students will undoubtedly have difficulties meeting deadlines. Make expectations clear but be ready to provide more flexibility than you normally would in your class.
- Consider specifying how students should name files – It may sound trivial, but anyone who collects papers electronically knows the pain of getting 20 files named Essay1.docx. Give your students a simple file naming convention, for example, FirstnameLastname-Essay1.docx.
Since online proctoring isn’t an option or can be very challenging for most face-to-face students, it’s important to think of other ways to assess student learning that won’t require proctoring whenever possible. This resource might help with ideas about assessment strategies that don’t require proctoring https://teaching.berkeley.edu/resources/improve/alternatives-traditional-testing.