January 12, 2024

To: Cornell University teaching faculty

Our recent experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic illustrate the importance of the ability to quickly adjust our teaching approaches to successfully complete a semester following unexpected disruption. Our ability to deliver our classes and process grades in a timely and effective way can be affected by many different types of events, such as the sudden illness of an instructor, unexpected closure of a facility, or work stoppage by a group(s) of employees. Taking some steps early in the semester, including through effective use of teaching technology, could help to minimize the impact of unexpected disruptions. The following are suggestions for your consideration:

• Ensure that the instructor of record has continuous access to student grades from the beginning of the semester and throughout. We recommend:
  • Faculty use the Canvas Gradebook to track student grades throughout the semester so that TAs can work on assigned grading while insuring everyone with an instructor or admin role in the course can access the grades.
  • Gradescope can also be used to track grades. If it is set up through Canvas, the instructor or a course admin would have access to the grades.
  • If you have questions about how best to set up grading, please check out these FAQs or reach out to CTI for a consultation.
• When possible, avoid or reduce the need for students to turn in hard copies of their completed work to ensure uninterrupted access to their work and lessen the risk of lost work. We recommend:
  • Having students submit all digital assignments through Canvas.
  • Scanning hard-copy assignments and uploading to Canvas or Gradescope.
• Consider adding a department administrator to all Canvas course sites, for ease of access to grades and Canvas functionalities should instructor of record become unavailable.

Message from the Vice Provost’s Office, for CVM-specific teaching and technology questions please contact Educational Support Services.