Inclement Weather Teaching Guide

When inclement weather disrupts campus operations, it doesn’t have to disrupt learning. This guide is designed to help instructors make a quick shift to online instruction for a short period of time so students stay connected and coursework remains on track. The strategies here focus on simple, practical steps you can take with the tools already available to you. The goal is to keep classes moving forward while supporting both you and your students in a temporary online setting.

Technology Basics

Use these tools and guides to move your class online quickly. Each link connects you to step-by-step instructions.

Canvas

Canvas is the university’s learning management system where you can communicate with students, share files, and organize course activities.

Quick Actions: Post announcements and upload course materials.

Zoom

Zoom is the university’s video conferencing tool for holding live online classes, office hours, or quick check-ins.

Quick Actions: Schedule or start a virtual class meeting, share your screen, or record the session.

Kaltura

Kaltura is the university’s video platform for creating, uploading, and sharing lecture recordings and other media directly in Canvas.

Quick Actions: Record a lecture with Kaltura Capture, upload the video, and share it with students.

Additional Support

These support pages provide searchable guides, tutorials, troubleshooting resources, and contacts for the technology you use in teaching.

Communication

Clear communication helps students know what to expect and reduces confusion.

  • Post a Canvas announcement as soon as possible to let students know how class will continue during the weather disruption.
  • Keep your message simple: state whether you’ll meet live online, post materials for independent work, or adjust due dates.
  • Use multiple channels if needed (Canvas, email, or your usual method of class communication) to make sure everyone sees the update.
  • Set expectations that this is a short-term adjustment and when you plan to return to normal class operations.

Use this template to quickly draft and post a Canvas announcement that explains how your course will continue during the weather disruption.

Instructional Options

You don’t need to replicate your full in-person class online. Choose a simple option that keeps students engaged and connected to your course goals.

Asynchronous (Flexible, on Students’ Own Time)

  • Post slides, readings, or lecture notes in Canvas to highlight key concepts.
  • Create a short discussion prompt that ties directly to the day’s topic.
  • Add a quick quiz or assignment aligned with the learning objectives for that class session.
  • Pre-record a short lecture or explanation (5–10 minutes) that focuses on the most essential material.

Synchronous (Live, at Your Scheduled Class Time)

  • Host a live class session on Zoom to maintain real-time interaction.
  • Use breakout rooms for small-group discussions or activities connected to the lesson outcomes.
  • Monitor the chat and weave student questions into the flow of your session.

Choosing an Approach

Select the option that best fits your course goals and your students’ needs. If the weather may cause power or internet disruptions, an asynchronous activity is often the most reliable. If you want to preserve real-time interaction and know students can attend, a brief synchronous session can work well. Keep it simple – one or two focused activities are usually enough.

Engagement Strategies

No matter which approach you choose, incorporate a small element of interaction to keep students connected.

  • Use a short discussion prompt or reflection question to promote peer engagement.
  • Share a case study or scenario related to course concepts (clinical judgement, ethical dilemma, etc.).
  • Add a quick poll or low-stakes quiz to check understanding and gather feedback.
  • If meeting live, use breakout rooms or the chat to encourage participation.

Accessibility

Keep accessibility in mind to ensure all students can stay engaged, even during campus disruptions.

  • Turn on captions in Zoom and check that captions are accurate on any recorded lectures uploaded through Kaltura. Accurate captions help students with hearing needs and give all students a useful way to revisit your content.
  • Recognize that some students may lose power or internet access. Be flexible with deadlines and communicate how students can request additional accommodations if needed.
  • If you plan to meet synchronously, provide an alternative – such as a recording, shared notes, or a short written reflection – for students who cannot attend live. This will help you keep everyone aligned with the day’s learning objectives.

Course Continuity

Short-term pivots work best when they still connect to your planned learning outcomes.

Align with your outcomes: Choose activities that reinforce the objectives you had planned for that class. For example, if the day was meant for discussion, use a Canvas discussion prompt; if it was for practice, create a short applied quiz or exercise.

Keep the scope manageable: Focus on the essential knowledge or skill for that session, rather than trying to replicate everything you would have done in person.

Make the transition seamless: When you return to in-person instruction, take a few minutes to revisit the online activity. Highlight key takeaways and connect them back to the course trajectory so students don’t experience gaps.

Build on what students did: Use discussion posts, quiz results, or reflections from the online session as a springboard for the next class to maintain continuity and keep up the momentum.

Contingency Planning

Even with preparation, you may face challenges like losing power or being unable to reach your computer. Building in flexibility ahead of time keeps students supported when disruptions occur.

Identify a contact: Identify a backup contact in your department or program who can email an update for you if needed.

Communicate expectations early: Let students know at the start of the semester how you will handle unexpected interruptions.

Distribute core materials in advance: Post slides, readings, and assignment prompts in Canvas as part of your regular practice so students always have access to essential content.

Have a standing backup activity: Consider creating a flexible assignment that can be dropped into your course. This might be a reflection prompt, applied problem, or case study that can be activated at any point if class is unexpectedly disrupted.

Checklist for Weather-Related Closures

When campus closes and you need to move your course online for a day or two, focus on these key steps:

  • Communicate quickly. Post a Canvas announcement (and email if needed) with clear instructions.
  • Choose one option. Decide whether to hold a short Zoom session or create an asynchronous activity in Canvas.
  • Keep it aligned. Make sure the activity connects to your planned learning outcomes for that class.
  • Use basic tools. Rely on Canvas, Zoom, or Kaltura – don’t introduce new technology during the disruption.
  • Support accessibility. Turn on captions, share materials in advance, and provide alternatives if students can’t attend live.
  • Stay flexible. Be mindful that you and your students may lose power or internet and may need extra time.