Faculty will have the option to adapt their courses due to a disruption. Online options
include synchronous and asynchronous delivery, and faculty choosing either option
must adapt their courses accordingly.
Students must be registered with theStudent Disability Resource Center (SDRC)to receive accommodations. The SDRC will contact faculty who have students registered
with disabilities to help make sure the online course is accessible. The SDRC will
also provide one of their counselors as a teaching assistant for classes with heavy
accessibility needs.
In general, the academic integrity expectations of in-person learning transfers to
remotely delivered content. See the resources on the Academic Integrity page.
Faculty teaching online are also encouraged to develop alternative ways of evaluation
(e.g., papers, take-home exams, quizzes or exams through Blackboard that do not need
proctoring, etc.).
A course instructor is not required to give a final examination. Consider alternative
ways to assess student learning. You may design or select an assessment that is consistent
with course outcomes and well connected to learning experiences. Alternative assessments
include: written assignments that students submit in Blackboard, student presentations
through video or PowerPoint, electronic portfolios or other culminating projects.
You may need to revise your course syllabus to specify whether a final assessment
will be given during finals week or modify the course syllabus to include the new
assessment. To convey that the assessment is comprehensive, an instructor may want
to refer to this as the final comprehensive assignment, since it is not an examination.
If you are teaching a face-to-face or synchronous online course (meeting at specified
times every week), the registrar has assigned a time period for your final exam, and
that time can be used as the starting point for the final exam.
For courses that are completely asynchronous, you have more flexibility in when you
administer your final exam. In either situation, instructors should be flexible when
administering a final exam, considering that students may be in a different time zone
or country, perhaps with limited or shared access to the internet or to a computer.
Please be aware that final exams cannot be administered or due on Reading Day or during
the last week of classes. It is recommended that instructors not schedule an asynchronous
exam in a tightly limited time period during the final exam period because of possible
conflicts with synchronous courses (see theRegistrarfor synchronous exam schedule). For example, your final exam should not be scheduled
on Monday from 9am-11:30am, rather it should be open for a window of one to two days
even if the exam itself is limited to 2.5 hours. Blackboard testing tools can help
to ensure the integrity of the exam. For more information on how best to utilize Blackboard
for creating an exam review the Blackboard Basics page.
Instructors have use of Respondus LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor or ProctorU
for exam proctoring.
Respondus LockDown Browser locks down the testing environment within Blackboard.
Respondus Monitor uses the student’s webcam and video analytics to prevent academic
dishonesty. Respondus offerstraining webinarsfor instructors on how to use their products andother resourcesfor both instructors and students including quick start guides. It is recommended
that instructors share instructions with students if they choose to use Respondus.
Respondus Monitor is available for unlimited use and there is no charge to students
to use the service.
ProctorU allows students to take exams at times and locations that are convenient
to them. ProctorU's services are accessed using a computer equipped with a webcam
and internet connection, ProctorU verifies the student's identity, records the testing
session, and has every testing session reviewed by a certified proctor to ensure integrity.
An $8-14 fee for online proctoring, depending on the length of the exam, is paid by
students directly to ProctorU during their exam. Instructors wishing to register an
exam in ProctorU should contact Shannon Carson in the Office of Distributed Learning
atscarson@mailbox.sc.edu. ProctorU resources including guides for faculty and students as well as recommended
language to include in the syllabus to inform students of the test proctoring fee
can be found on theOffice of Distributed Learning Test Proctoringpage.
Be aware that not all students have access to a webcam and the University does not
have the ability to provide this technology.
You should have received accommodation letters for students with disabilities who
are enrolled in your course(s). Be sure to review the accommodation letters if you
are providing an online exam. The most commonly used accommodation is extra time on
exams. Be flexible. The length of time a student sits and views a computer screen
can be problematic and students may need to use the restroom or stretch during a long
exam. Clearly communicate expectations in a timely manner to all students (e.g., who
to contact for technical issues, how the exam will be proctored, technology requirements,
testing platform). If you have questions about considerations for students with disabilities,
please contact the Student Disability Resource CenteratSADRC@mailbox.sc.edu.
Similar to cases in which you might assign a grade of “Incomplete,” you should use
your discretion to determine the extent of the problem and if possible require documentation
of the issue (i.e. a written statement from a physician, counselor, safety officer,
or other qualified professional). Do not retain such information in your course records;
validate and discard. Understand that technical problems might also be an extenuating
circumstance. Using your best judgement and interest in the student’s academic success,
you may arrange an alternative time period and date(s) that is suitable to the student
and you.
Faculty should direct students to the Thomas Cooper Library with their Carolina Card
to check out the technology that is needed. Since there is not an unlimited supply
of computers, we are relying on faculty, advisors, and professional staff to direct
students appropriately.
Information for Students
Every class will be treated differently, depending upon the needs of the class, the
students, the instructor, and the department. If you have any questions about a specific
course, please contact your instructor.
Contact your instructor immediately.
Courses using a synchronous delivery method will meet during the scheduled time, but
courses structured for "asynchronous" delivery allow you to access it at your convenience.
Instructors will determine how their courses will be taught and let you know the format
and expectations. If you have any questions about a specific course, please contact
your instructor.
The Student Success Center will continue to offer virtual tutoring and supplemental
instruction.
For questions related to any specific course, please contact the course instructor.
In general, the academic integrity expectations of in-person learning transfers to
online delivered content. Please be sure to follow your instructor's expectations
regarding academic honesty, testing, reposting online course content, or recording
course materials.
For technical help with Blackboard, contact the DoITService Desk(or at 803-777-1800).
Yes, theStudent Disability Resource Center (SDRC) will be available to ensure that students with accommodations are able to engage
with their courses and related assignments and are being proactive in reaching out
to faculty. If you need accommodations, register with the SDRC to receive accommodations.
The SDRC will contact faculty who have students registered with disabilities to help
make sure the remotely delivered course is accessible.