Faculty Toolkit

Return to Learning After a Disruption

There are several things to consider as you return to your courses following an extended disruption like a hurricane or other event. The information below is a guide to provide approaches and considerations for both yourself and your students as you adjust your semester plans.

Emergency Situations

  • If you experienced an emergency are unable to return as scheduled, notify your department chair of your situation. 
  • For additional support, professional counselors for faculty and staff are available through the Employee Assistance Program. If you have questions about the program, please get in touch with USF Human Resources.

If you have students who need assitance, connect them with the Dean of 黑料爆料 Office for a variety of resources including counseling, care referrals, and more.

Adjusting the Semester

As you start planning on how best to return, consider the following to adjust for the lost time. 

  1. Review your content and assignment plans, keeping your focus on the overall Student Learning Outcomes for the course. Consider picking up where you left off before the disruption.
  2. Focus on the learning experiences, practices, and activities most important for student鈥檚 academic development.
    1. This likely means reducing some of the content covered in the course. Remember, students often cannot recall all details of a prior course under the best of circumstances. Given the limits of finite cognitive load and limited hours of the day, students may struggle if required to complete all of the original planned content.
    2. Some content can be lightly explored, especially pieces that are reinforced in future courses.
    3. Consider how student learning outcomes can be most simply achieved and assessed. Assignments or smaller projects may be more useful than larger exams.
  3. Adjust due dates and assignment/exam dates, allowing time as necessary for students to return to learning.
    1. You may elect to reduce or drop smaller assignments or condense multiple units into single exam. In condensing, focus on the major points and themes that students need to meet the learning outcomes of the course.
  4. Adjust the semester to reduce your own stress, and that of your students. Be mindful of the emotional stresses existing on you and your students as you adjust your semester. Remember students are adjusting all of their courses at the same time.
  5. Continue to be flexible with individual students that may be dealing with greater losses and challenges from the disruption.

Submit Syllabus Changes (if applicable)

Note any significant changes to your syllabus, including major adjustments to course assignments and grading practices that benefit student success. Be sure to file an updated syllabus with your academic department, along with the original syllabus already on file.