Participating in online courses as a student means a major shift in how you'll participate in all of your courses this quarter. Your instructors and TAs will be working hard to ensure that you're getting a high-quality learning experience, but there are some things you can do to help make sure you're prepared for the changes.

The information below is intended to help you prepare for what do and where you to find help if you need it!

Overview and General Resources

Facts and Information Regarding Spring Quarter 2020: The Office of the Provost maintains this page that is primarily aimed at students.
Online Learning for Students: UW Academic Support Programs maintains this page with several helpful hints about how students can be successful in online learning.
How to succeed in an online course: a resource for students A short video for students giving tips on how to be successful in online courses.

Communication and Expectations

Communication with your instructors, TAs, and fellow students will be very different during this time, and you should make sure you understand what you can reasonably do to stay connected.

Talk to your instructors and make sure they have a plan for communications. Do they prefer messages in Canvas, by email, or is there another tool that works best?
Ask about policies for attending live classes vs. watching recordings afterwards. If you have circumstances because of your home or family environment that affect your participation, let them know as early as possible!

Access to Technology and Internet

Technology and Internet Resources (Link to page and PDF download)

Engaging with online courses means using your own computer or other devices, and the internet connection you have available in your location. You should make sure that these are sufficient for course needs and seek help if you need it!

You can refer to the technical requirements for Zoom and for Canvas if you have questions about your needs.

If you need computer equipment (laptop, etc.) in order to join classes and access course materials, use the UW Student Technology Loan program to request the materials you need.
Laptops for Takeout or Delivery: Student technology program readies for spring quarter (UW News article)
Many Zoom sessions will also require access to a microphone or camera, which can also be requested from the Student Technology Loan if needed.
Test your internet speed and have a good idea about what you're able to do. You can use SpeedTest.net to check the speed and latency of your home internet connection.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Drive-In WiFi Hotspots provide free temporary, emergency internet access for Washingtonians who do not have broadband service to their homes.

Using Zoom for Online Classes and Meetings

All students at UW now have access to Zoom Pro, meaning you can not only join meetings hosted by others but also host your own meetings for group study or making connections with Peers.

Using Canvas as Your Classroom Environment

Canvas will most likely be the primary place that your instructor posts information about the course, including schedules, communication plans, and updates about any relevant information. You should make sure you're familiar with how to access Canvas and how to navigate it.

Keep in mind that different instructors may set up their courses in different ways, so you should make sure you know how each course is organized.

The UW's Canvas site for Students is a very comprehensive resource on how to use the many features of Canvas, including:

Logging in to Canvas
An Overview of different ways to communicate in Canvas
How to Submit Assignments and Take Quizzes
How to Check Your Grades

Instructions on netiquette (for students posting in online forums): UW IT had compiled a list of best practices for both students and faculty to follow when communicating online. Netiquette (net + etiquette) is a code of proper conduct applied to virtual online environments. This code is dictated by common sense rules (manners) and social conventions, similar to those you would follow with face-to-face interactions.

Remote Participation in Graduate Student Exams

(From an email sent by the Graduate Enrollment Management System (GEMS) on 3/16/20): "In order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a student or any member of the supervisory committee who chooses not to come to campus or otherwise participate in person must be allowed to participate by video conference. If you have questions about video conferencing during exams, please contact GEMS at gemshelp@uw.edu ." Additionally, exam warrants may now be signed and submitted electronically.

Accessibility

Accessibility Tips for Remote/Online Learning (Google document, includes tips for instructors as well as students)

Other Resources