Class (in Case of Emergency)

In certain conditions where your campus classroom cannot be used, you may need to move your class fully online. Examples might be for a snow day, or when you are isolating due to illness but well enough to teach remotely.

For most DCE classes which are not already fully online as a web conference format, we have already created for you a link named “Class (in case of emergency).” If you have that link, all you need to do is let DCE know that you need to move class online for the day. For last minute changes, our Support Desk can assist with notifying other DCE departments such as AV Services and Classroom Production that classroom technicians will not be needed.

We also recommend a Canvas announcement to your students asking them to use the “Class (in case of emergency)” link instead of coming to campus or using the regular class link. Sample wording is available in our FAQ below.

For courses that are cross listed with other schools, we asked you before the semester began if you would like an emergency link created for all students. If we did this, you should see the “Class (in case of emergency)” link listed on both your College site and your DCE site under Zoom, visible to all students. You can use either link, as they will both route to a single Zoom meeting that will unite all cohorts of students in one place for class. If you do not have an emergency link but would like one now, contact your DCE Classroom Video Production team (production @dce.harvard.edu).

Recording

If your class is usually recorded and automatically posted to Canvas under “Class Recordings” for a flexible attendance or cross listed course format, your emergency link is set up to automatically record when you start the Zoom meeting. It will also automatically post as usual.

If you usually post your own recordings in Gather, remember to record the session and you will be able to publish the recording in the usual place.

If you would like the recording available to cross listed students who do not usually see recordings, contact Classroom Video Production for assistance (production @dce.harvard.edu). 

FAQ

Why can’t I use my regular class link to teach fully online?

If you are not already a fully online web conference course, your usual class link has settings that are best suited to teaching on campus with staff assistance. Often, you may not be able to launch class at all from the regular link without technical staff, as your own Zoom account does not have a Webinar licence.

I don’t see an emergency link listed on my Canvas site. How do I get one?

If you are already a web conference format course with a link that simply says “Class” without mentioning HELIX or live stream, you can use your regular link to teach from anywhere.

If you are a course cross listed with the Extension School, we asked you before the semester began if you would like an emergency link created for all students. If you declined or did not reply but would like one now, contact your DCE Classroom Video Production team (production @dce.harvard.edu).

All course types at DCE can contact our Support Desk for assistance finding, creating, and using emergency Zoom links to move class online.

I created a Zoom link on my Harvard College course Canvas site, or in my own Zoom account.  How do I add it to the DCE Canvas site?

Contact your DCE Classroom Video Production team (production @dce.harvard.edu). If the link you created has not been publicly shared, we can add it for you to the DCE Canvas site as your emergency link.

If you have already shared or posted the link publicly, the security of that link has been compromised and we can assist you with creating a new link which is secure. 

Can I just teach using my own personal Zoom link?

For best practices in security and student privacy, using a dedicated Class link in your Canvas site(s) is strongly preferred. You probably already have a “Class (in case of emergency)” link on your Canvas site. If you do not, see above to troubleshoot “I don’t see an emergency link listed on my Canvas site.” 

How do I use the emergency link for a student to Zoom into class on campus?

The “Class (in case of emergency)” link is intended for cases where you will move the entire class online and teach remotely, with no students in the campus classroom. You will not use it for individual students to join a class held on campus.

For assistance with a crosslisted student joining an existing live stream of class, contact Classroom Video Production (production @dce.harvard.edu).

If your class is not already a hybrid online format, contact your Registrar for information on individual students attending campus courses remotely.

How do I use the emergency link for my remote guest speaker to appear on screen on campus?

Your remote guest speaker will not use the “Class (in case of emergency)” link to appear on screen in a campus room. Please see this article on hosting remote guests.

Do you have sample language for a Canvas announcement to my students?

If you would like to send students a direct link to class via email or in an announcement, please review this guide to Gather secure shareable links.

Sample wording for students in a hyflex course might read: