Prepare for Flu-Related Absences in the Classroom

Interim Guideline on Class Absences due to Influenza

(in effect for Fall Quarter 2009)

As long as absence from class does not exceed seven consecutive weekdays, instructors are encouraged to provide reasonable accommodation for a student who self-reports influenza-like illness. Because the WWU Health Center and local physicians have warned that they do not expect to have time to provide written medical excuses for students with the flu, student self-reports should be accepted. The instructor may wish to require the student to submit a written explanation of the absence by email. Instructors are also encouraged to include a statement of their class absence requirements in their syllabi.

Technology Considerations in response to the WWU Class Absence Guideline

While a school closure is not likely, you will want to be prepared in the event that you or your students are unable to attend your class due to flu. Below are suggestions and tools that may be of some assistance.

Relevant Technologies

Click on any of the items below for more detailed information. Also view the list of scheduled training workshops on many of these topics.

Automated Classroom Recording
Blackboard
- Announcements
- Assignments
- Blogs
- Chat
- Email
- Discussion Forums
- Gradebook
- Groups
- Statistics
- Testing
- Wikis
Digital Recorders
Email Options
PowerPoint
Screencasting Software

Prepare a Communications Plan

Alert your students on your methods for communicating course content, making announcements and any changes in the class schedule. If using one of the university email options, remind your students to regularly check their official university email address
Present your policy on absences and making-up late work

Place Class Materials Online

Distribute course content and links to other online resources via Blackboard or your class web site.
Post your lectures and class demonstrations on-line in Blackboard or your class web site:
- Record your lectures and classroom presentations using our Automated Classroom Recording system or through digital recorders which can be borrowed from the equipment loan pool
- Create narrated PowerPoint presentations using a USB microphone

Prepare Alternate Discussion Methods

Create online discussions using the Blackboard Discussion Forum tool
Collect individual student responses with the Blackboard Blog tool
Schedule on-line real-time discussions for your class using the Blackboard Collaboration Tool for Chat

Engage and Assess through Online Activities

Collect assignments, perform testing and report grades via Blackboard
Support group activities through the file exchange and Wiki tool within Blackboard
Assign journal writing and reflective activities using the Blackboard Blog tool
Review statistics and enable tracking and status reviews for content within Blackboard

For more assistance with these ideas please contact the ATUS Helpdesk at helpdesk@wwu.edu or 360-650-3333 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate ATUS specialist.