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Teaching Options for a Snow Day

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Teaching can go on if snow or other unforseen problems prevent you and your students from getting to class. 

Before deciding if you should cancel class, be sure to check the Penn home page or call 215-898-MELT (6358) to see if the University is operating on a normal schedule.  You should also check with the program office for your school (e.g. LPS, Fels, Dynamics, the College). 

Here are a few suggestions for how you can keep your students engaged even if you can't get to the classroom.

 

Stay in touch with your class

There are easy ways you can get messages to your students

Conduct online, asynchronous discussions 

Discussion boards allow you and your students to post and reply to questions.  It's also a useful way to engage students in review & comment on each other's work.  

  • Use  the discussion board feature in Blackboard to facilitate asynchronous, written discussion. Discussion boards can be configured for a variety of uses, including to allow anonymous posts.
  • Use Wimba voiceboards for asynchronous oral discussion.  Voiceboards work much like text-based discussion boards, but allow users to post voice recordings.  This is especially helpful for language instruction, but can also be useful for activities such as public speaking practice.

Telephone or online conferencing services 

A variety of conferencing services are available and can help you pull together an impromptu meeting.  Please check with your program or business office before engaging any services that will involve fees

FreeConference, Standard Service


https://www.freeconference.com/IsItFree.aspx

Telephone conferencing service.

Teacher/Meeting host can sign up for a free account and gets a phone number and access code that can be used at any time. Accommodates up to 150 participants
No charge to meeting host, but toll charges apply to all callers
 

FreeConference Premium 800 Service

https://www.freeconference.com/WebScheduled800.aspx

Teacher/Meeting host creates an account.  Callers use a toll-free number and meeting host is charged $.10 per minute per caller.  Recording service available for additional fee.
 

Skype

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/features/allfeatures/conference-calls/

A popular internet communication service with a variety of service options.

Voice conferencing over computer or telephone; video or screensharing optional.  Up to 25 people can participate in a conference call.  No charge for users talking via computer, but users need to have Skype accounts and have the program installed.  Charges apply for calling to standard phones or for group video calls.

Mac & PC compatible

For situations when the students can make it to class, but the instructor can't, please see our instructions about how to connect to a classroom through Skype. 

GoToMeeting


http://www.gotomeeting.com/

An easy to use webconferencing system for groups of  15 or less.  Includes voice over computer or telephone, screen sharing, text chat, recording

$49/ month.  30 day free trial available, but requires credit card number to sign up.  You must cancel before the end of the 30 day trial or you will be billed for monthly service.

Mac & PC compatible

GoToWebinar


http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/webinar

Web conferencing for groups of up to 100 people.  Includes voice over computer or telephone, screen sharing, text chat, recording

$99/ month.  30 day free trial available, but requires credit card number to sign up.  You must cancel before the end of the 30 day trial or you will be billed for monthly service.

Mac & PC compatible

Adobe Connect Professional

http://www.adobe.com/products/adobeconnect.html

A full featured web conferencing system for up to 150 participants.  Includes audio via computer, video support, screen sharing, text chat, polling, file sharing and more. 

Somewhat complex for meeting organizers to use; requires advance training and planning. 

Accounts can be obtained through SAS Computing for $150 per year.  Contact John MacDermott of SAS Computing for details