Large Class Survival Guide

A large sized class can have its unique set of challenges in teaching and learning remotely. Follow the links in our Large Class Survival Guide for a compilation of tips for preparing and delivering your large sized course. This guide is organized by the key phases of your course during a semester.

Action	Resource
Set up:
Your course syllabus and course ‘hub’	Planning your course framework
Your course readings through the Library’s e-reserve service	The Library’s e-reserve service
Your course assessments and grades	D2L Brightspace: assessments and grades tools
Your course communication tools (announcements, discussions, etc.)	D2L Brightspace: communication tools
Create:
A plan for delivering your content and course activities (and update your course shell, as needed)	Redesign for remote teaching: Content delivery
A strategy for requesting course shell(s) for multi-section courses	(google doc) Course shell request strategies for large classes (external link)
A plan for working with your TA/GAs	(google doc) Working with TA/GAs in large classes (external link)
A plan to help students navigate the course and stay on track	(google doc) Setting the stage for student success (external link)
A welcoming course environment for your students by introducing yourself	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)
Consider (if you have more time):
Gamifying your course	(google doc) Using gamification to engage students in large online courses (external link)

Action	Resource
Share:
Course and learner expectations	(google doc) Course navigation and management (external link)
An opportunity for you and learners to get to know each other through an icebreaker	(google doc) Building community in large classes: social presence (external link)
A way for you to assess your students technological readiness	(google doc) Using the Student Technology Survey for your class (external link)
Create:
A FAQ document and discussion area for students to refer to throughout the course	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)

Action	Resource
Regularly:
Deliver your weekly course materials	Redesign for remote teaching: Content delivery
Hold meetings with your TA/GAs	(google doc) Working with TA/GAs in Large Classes (external link)
Update your students to keep them informed	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)
Manage student emails and communication	(google doc) Course navigation and management (external link)
Update your FAQs document	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)
Reach out to new or at-risk students through automated emails	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)
Provide:
Feedback on course activities and assessments	D2L Brightspace: Entering grades and feedback (in the grades tool)
An opportunity for students to learn from each other in small study groups	(google doc) Building community in large classes: social presence (external link)
Guidelines for group projects	(google doc) Building community in large classes: social presence (external link)
Office hours to support students	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)
An opportunity for students to give you feedback on the course	(google doc) Building community in large classes: instructor presence (external link)

Action	Resource
Submit:
Final grades from D2L to MyServiceHub	D2L Brightspace: Final grades