Tips for Online Instructions with International Students Due to COVID-19

International students are required to take a certain number of in-person courses, the federal authorities are allowing institutions a temporary change in mode of instruction due to COVID-19.   This means that you may have international students taking your class from Tulane Residence Halls, other parts of the United States, or from their home country. 

Below are a few thoughts complied from international students related to online instruction:

1.     Some international students who went home would rather be in the US.  Their families, governments, or exchange programs are recalling them. They are experiencing culture shock and returning to a home very different than the one they left.  For many it is a dream cut short. 

2.     They may be in forced home or governmental quarantine for a period of time where they may not have access to internet.

3.     They may be joining course / advising appointments in the middle of the night their time where they may share a room with family who are sleeping.  Consider making assessments available for a 24 hours period of time and offering ways for them to participate asynchronously. Students will be more successful in learning your course material if they don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night to attend your class.

4.     If the mode of instruction will increase spontaneous written response in online discussion, they may be writing with an accent without the opportunity to check their own writing.  As we typically allow people to speak with an accent, consider that in spontaneous writing.

5.     Some websites are not readily available in China but may be accessed through VPN, such as google products, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube.  Students with issues accessing some websites can set up a VPN following the instructions outlined here.

6.     Many students are anxious. There is a lot of pressure on them to do well. We continuously remind them to reach out to you to talk about their concerns and limitations.

Information provided by Center for Global Education 

Questions, Concerns, Suggestions

For questions, concerns, or suggestions about this guide, email the team at teachanywhere@tulane.edu.