(article originally appeared in Northwestern’s Canvas Minute newsletter on 8/12/2021)

Dr. Roberts hears the familiar chime—a student has just entered the Zoom waiting room. As she sends them a quick message to say she’ll be with them soon, she considers how efficient this process has become. She’s no longer tethered to her office for long periods of time to account for infrequent student drop-ins and students no longer have to wait outside a closed door anxious about whether they’ll have time to dash across campus to their next class or activity.

Since she began hosting office hours on Zoom, Dr. Roberts has held them from her house, a coffee shop, and picnic benches across campus. Not only that, more and different types of students have been showing up who previously didn’t come in person. When asked why, the students say, “Because it’s easier. I don’t have to make a 15-minute walk across campus to ask a two-minute question. I can log in from my phone or computer anywhere and have the answer almost immediately.”

While Dr. Roberts still plans to offer an in-person option for those who request it, everyone appreciates the new flexibility that the virtual meeting option provides.

Directions for offering remote office hours and using Canvas Scheduler to allow students to sign up for a time slot:

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your course logistics specialist, teachingsupport@kellogg.northwestern.edu or Ishrat at i-fatima@kellogg.northwestern.edu.