Giving Compass' Take:

• Hallie Busta discusses U.S. colleges' efforts to continue classes during the coronavirus outbreak through effective online schooling.

• Which students would be affected most by the online transition? What can we do to help students get the resources they need to continue schooling through the outbreak?

• Learn how you can get involved in ending the threat of the coronavirus.

As U.S. colleges consider how the global coronavirus outbreak could affect their campuses, some are asking about how they could shift courses online to limit its impact on instruction.

Globally, some U.S. universities have closed satellite campuses in affected areas and are suspending study abroad trips. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says colleges should "consider" canceling foreign exchange programs and asking U.S. participants to return home.

Colleges are also asking about the capacity to scale up online programs quickly. "Most of our clients and institutions in North America do some level of online or blended teaching and learning or have certain classes," said Lee Blakemore, chief client officer and president of global markets at Blackboard. "But as they think about contingent scenarios, the question comes down to 'What if I had to move to an extreme scenario and could your systems handle the load?'"

However, colleges quickly moving classes online in response to a coronavirus threat should aim to keep the majority of learning interactions asynchronous to give faculty members and students flexibility, said Kevin Kelly, a higher education consultant.

Although more students are taking online classes, he noted, "there's a pretty steep learning curve" for instructors who may have limited experience with online tools.

An abrupt move online can also disadvantage students who lack sufficient internet access off campus. In response, Crews advises colleges to consider sharing course content with students in multiple ways. Instructors can start that conversation by encouraging students to reach out if they are unable to access the materials.

Kelly said programs should focus on providing timely feedback, organizing courses well, and promoting high levels of interaction among students and between students and faculty.

Read the full article about colleges' online contingency plans for the coronavirus by Hallie Busta at Education Dive.