​Teaching During Campus Closures

Inclement weather, increased absenteeism during a flu outbreak, or other campus closures may require you to temporarily rely on our existing online infrastructure to keep your classes running. This guide will provide strategies to help faculty continue to teach during unexpected campus closures. 

Be Prepared!

The most important thing you can do to have a smoother transition during unexpected campus closures is to take steps BEFORE it happens to prepare yourself for when it does. Here are some actions you can take NOW to help prepare and plan for unexpected closures.
​Click on the accordion below to learn more about each strategy:

  • Your course coordinator will be your first point of contact during a campus closure.
  • Save your course coordinator's name and contact information so that it is easily accessible when you need it.
  • You may want to create a contact in your cell phone, send an email to yourself with this information or write it down on a sticky note at home so that you can access it without coming to campus.


  • You can contact the Help Desk by emailing helpdesk@howardcc.edu for support with passwords, myHCC or college supported software like Office 365 and GoToMyPC.
  • You can contact eLearning through the eLearning Request Form for support with issues with your Canvas course, online tools and instructional design for online learning.
  • There is also 24 hour Canvas Support via chat or phone available through the Canvas Help button within Canvas.
  • For any other issues, contact IMFacultyLab@howardcc.edu for assistance.


  • Create an account with Zoom using your HCC email.
  • Use Zoom for web-conferencing with students.
  • Set up a persistent Zoom meeting for office hours and test your Zoom room.
  • Record a test meeting so you can make meetings available to students after they end.
  • Contact eLearning through the eLearning Request Form for assistance with set up, recording, or training.
  • Click here to view a tutorial of how to use Zoom.


  • If you do not currently have students submit assignments or post to discussion boards, have students submit a document to a sample assignment and post to a sample discussion board (in class if possible).
  • Make sure ALL of your students can access Canvas and check their Inbox messages.
  • Have students download the Canvas Student app (iOS / Android) and use it to view and submit assignments.
  • Have students view the Canvas Student Training Guide
  • Get 24/7 Canvas Support by calling +1-833-685-8349 or visit Canvas Chat Support for immediate help.
  • Contact eLearning through the eLearning Request Form for more help with Canvas.

Keep Teaching

If the campus does close, here are some strategies to help you keep your class running. 
​​Click on the accordion below to learn more about each strategy:

  • Create a schedule of assignments and activities students can complete online for the next 2 weeks.
  • Identify any activities that won't work in the online environment and find an alternative if possible.
  • Be flexible with due dates and deadlines but provide a structure students can follow while the campus is closed.
  • Contact IMFacultyLab@howardcc.edu for help designing alternative activities.


  • Double check that ALL of your upcoming assignments (for the next week or two) are on Canvas and published so students can access them from home.
  • Use Student View to ensure students can access all of the necessary parts of your Canvas site.
  • Click on links to make sure your linked content is still active and accessible.
  • Scan, type or upload any additional materials that are not on Canvas so that students have access to them.
  • Be consistent in where and how students can access these materials so they do not get confused.
  • Click here to view a tutorial on how to use Student View.


  • Post an announcement on Canvas and include the revised (if necessary) schedule for the coming weeks, a link to the Student Resources to Learn Remotely page, and a brief summary of how you plan to adjust the course to keep teaching while the campus is closed.
  • Send a message through the Canvas Inbox with the same information to ensure students read this important information.
  • Keep the tone of your message calm and positive and let students know they can contact you if they have any concerns.
  • Create this as a video announcement if possible.
  • Click here to view a sample announcement you can modify to send to your students.