40 Cancelling lecture
What do you do if you have to cancel lecture?
EG: In the case of the scholar’s strike in September 2020, I posted a really comprehensive summary of the changes to our lecture schedule (dropped readings, moved topics, etc.). I still received a handful of emails, but I think it definitely lessened the confusion. I had to cancel a later lecture at the last minute due to a power outage, and so I shared a recorded lecture a few hours later when my power returned.
Outside of remote teaching, I prefer to respond to unanticipated disruptions in ways that keep the schedule and expectations in place for students as much as possible. If TAs have lecture hours in their HoW forms and agree (in advance) to this contingency plan, I would consider having them lead discussions with small groups in the lecture hall, based on a few questions I offered in lieu of lecture.
ES: As someone with a chronic illness and physical disability, there have been many times when I have had to quickly cancel tutorial or lecture. I always ensure to send out one or two emails to the class, and prepare an information sheet or transcript that stands in place of lecture or tutorial. I also invite the students to email me or schedule a meeting with me at a later date if they feel that they need some extra help with the week’s content.
Ultimately, your health is the most important. At the beginning of the semester, I take care to explain to the students the possibility of lecture/tutorial cancellations for the reasons stated above. Subsequently, I tell them that if they are unable to attend tutorial, or finish an assignment on time due to similar or adjacent reasons, then they will have flexibility from me. A relationship of mutual respect and reciprocity between a teacher and their students is necessary in situations like mine.