Technology Requirements: All faculty teaching distance learning classes at NWACC must have home computer technology (desktop or laptop computer) and internet access. If you do not, please consult with your supervisor before accepting a distance learning teaching assignment. It is not practical to teach a distance learning class if you don't have easy access to the required technology. Note also that some tablets may not work well with Canvas, and you cannot teach using only a phone.

Required Canvas Training: All instructors assigned to teach distance learning classes must successfully complete Canvas Advanced training.

Email Response Time: Distance learning students are dependent on asynchronous communication tools to get their questions and concerns answered. With exceptions for holidays and weekends, it is expected that instructors will respond to student emails within 48 hours. If the instructor plans to be away from the course due to travel or other reasons, he/she should notify students in advance and make every effort to check back into the course as soon as possible. If you will be out of contact with the class for more than three days due to travel or other commitments, you must inform your immediate supervisor beforehand.

Grading Timeline: Grading should be done in a timely manner, taking into account the need to provide feedback to students prior to submission of the next assignment. Instructors should consult with their program coordinator or department chair to see if there are more specific guidelines or timetables for returning graded work to students.

Complaint Procedure: All instructors should put a statement in their syllabi about who to contact in case of unresolved issues in the class. For example, “Please contact me first with any questions or concerns with the class. If there are technical problems, please see the paragraph in the syllabus about technical support. If you have concerns about the class that you do not wish to discuss further with me, please contact my supervisor, [name/email/phone].” Alternatively, your department or program may have a required statement or format covering this same information.

Accessibility: Course materials must conform to ADA accessibility standards, including video captioning. Faculty must complete the online course Accessible Design in Canvas during their first semester teaching at NWACC, which outlines legal requirements and NWACC procedures for accessibility. Contact Digital Learning at dl@nwacc.edu to be enrolled.

Please contact Digital Learning at dl@nwacc.edu with any questions or if you need assistance.