Guidance for Synchronous Online Classes from College of the Canyons

The great pivot of Spring 2020 provided the opportunity for distance educators to contribute their specialized knowledge and experience throughout their institutions. At the same time, we were also challenged with applying our knowledge and experience to the greatly expanded use of synchronous interaction tools, such as ConferZoom.

During Summer 2020, at College of the Canyons, questions from faculty prompted discussions about consistent institutional approaches to synchronous tools. Fortunately, we were informed and inspired by the article Guidance for Recording Class Sessions with TechConnect (Confer) Zoom by Michelle Pacansky-Brock and CVC-OEI.

Using Michelle’s openly licensed article as a starting point, we convened a task force to develop a set of responses to key questions around recording live sessions, the use of cameras, and student privacy. Our task force consisted of leadership from our Academic Senate, Faculty Association, Enrollment Services, Instruction Office, and Online Education.

Since I first shared this document with colleagues, I have learned that different colleges interpret FERPA in different ways (hello Jim!). While I am happy to share our document with you here, I encourage you to consult with your local stakeholders while adapting it to your local setting. The same document is provided below in both Microsoft Word and PDF format for your convenience.