In light of the recent snowstorms wreaking havoc across the country and closing schools, spending time creating a back-up plan for missed classes is worth the investment.  Rather than wait until weather or other emergencies happen costing precious learning time, Moodle is a great platform to have your back-up plan ready and waiting. Fortunately, the effect of the snow on the upcoming Super Bowl presents an excellent model for creating our own game-stopper, bad weather plans.

Consider the  typical Super Bowl. Advertisers line up in advance for spots in the largest professional game of the year during the first week in February. Party plans abound, with grocery ads filled with Super Bowl themed appetizers and shopping lists.   This year is different though. The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos await kick-off of the game in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium; a cold weather Super Bowl.

Enter in an unusual streak of cold and snow–a game changer. Who does cold weather favor? How bad does it need to be to cancel the game? What about cold-related medical emergencies? Should cold weather cities be allowed to host the Super Bowl? Before the game changer, a simple choice of will the Seahawks or the Broncos win existed. Now, exponential variations worthy of a good argument evolve.

Now, apply the idea to your content. Choose an overarching concept that isn’t time sensitive, such as how your content is typically used in the field, or a skill that is applicable to multiple situations such as troubleshooting procedures.

Next, add a game changer. Think big. Think out of the box. Think zombie attack, F4 tornado, time travel, a plague. What change would impact your area exponentially? (If you are short on ideas, watch a few Godzilla-type movies, explore re-runs from the Twilight Zone, or just ask a high schooler what movies are coming out).

How would your chosen discipline be impacted in the event of a Zombie attack? Straight from my teen’s recommended movie list in the past…WWZ in case you didn’t recognize it.

What would you need to do using skills from this class in the event of an Olympus Has Fallen situation?

If the recent WV water contamination issue had not been contained and had affected all water sources, what changes would you need to make in your area? This type of major life resource shortage can have implications as diverse as the effects on water-cooled engines or the political ramifications of capitalism and water sales.

Finally, add criteria. If you choose criteria from the General Education Outcome rubrics, they will be applicable any time during the course to differing levels. Of course, by asking the question you are already promoting the highest levels of critical thinking. A generic example for any content: Use at least five vocabulary words from the previous unit, give at least one specific example of what you would apply from our class to the situation, and communicate your solution in a manner appropriate to current professionals in the field.

You may not accomplish what you originally planned due to whatever reason (Snow day, Zombie attack, etc.) prompted using your back-up plan, but hopefully you will have kept them on track and engaged with your questions.  One of the many advantages of Moodle is that you can also create a back-up assignment and ‘hide it’ from students unless you need it. Not sure how to add a Moodle assignment? Contact the Educational Media Technologies Department by placing a Help Desk Ticket. We’re here to help!

For fun, use the comment section below to share your favorite Superbowl commercial. I still love the 2012 Jif one…