The AWS outage that took place recently wreaked havoc on countless online processes, but perhaps none more so than for college students across the United States. This is particularly true for those relying on the Canvas online learning platform, used by nearly half of all US college students.
The Impact of the AWS Outage on College Students
Imagine the frustration of trying to access course materials or contact professors, only to find a blank screen. This was the reality for millions of students when the AWS outage hit. With Canvas down, students couldn’t submit assignments, engage in discussions, or even check their course progress.
Avoiding a Repeat of the Nightmare
Reliable Backup Systems
One of the primary measures to avoid such disruptions in the future is to have a reliable backup system in place. This could be an alternate platform where all the course materials are also uploaded and can be accessed in case of such emergencies.
Effective Communication Channels
Another crucial aspect is to have an effective communication channel that is independent of the platform. This could be a dedicated email list or a group on a social media platform where students can be updated about such issues and provided with alternate solutions.
Dealing with the Aftermath
Once the platform is back up, it’s important to provide students with the opportunity to catch up on what they missed. This could mean extended deadlines for assignments, or extra office hours for professors to answer any lingering questions.
Conclusion
While the AWS outage was a nightmare for college students, it also presents a learning opportunity for educational institutions. With proper contingency plans, effective communication, and understanding, we can ensure that such disruptions have minimal impact on students’ learning journeys. To learn more about cybersecurity, check out our guide on the ‘Basics of Cybersecurity’.
