Template Instructions and Checklist EXAMPLE

Template Instructions and Checklist

This module contains instructor only information about preparing for and using this <<COURSE NAME>> course template. It is unpublished so students are not be able to see it.

This course has been created to ensure that all online sections of <<COURSE NAME>> meet or exceed the Provost's Advisory Committee for General Education Oversight (PACGEO) requirements for general education including consistency across sections, clock hour requirements, and writing requirements.  It also saves you time by allowing you to bypass most of the normal course design and review process.

Online courses should be equivalent to a face-to-face course in every way except how the materials are delivered—you are still actively a part of the course, interacting with students, and teaching.  All of the experiences and content your face-to-face students receive (or an equivalent) should be given to your online students. 

Please follow all of the instructions found below. They are very important to getting you prepared for the course and for getting the course set-up properly. 

Don't hesitate to get in touch with <<____________ (email) >> if you have any questions about this course template or how to prepare your section!

INSTRUCTOR ORIENTATION

It is recommended that prior to teaching this online course you review the College of Arts and Sciences Online Instructor Orientation found at: CAS Online Instructor Orientation.

Make sure to review the section titled "Teaching Online" as this pertains most to what you will be doing in this course. 

PREPARING THE COURSE

Instructors please make sure and complete the following items PRIOR to the start of the course. When the template is first copied into your course, you will need to make a few formatting changes:

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1. Welcome Announcement

Edit and personalize the welcome announcement (found under "Announcements" in left navigation). 

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2. Home Page 

Update the home page including the welcome message, your name, and email address. 

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3. Syllabus

Go through the syllabus and personalize it with your name and contact information. In addition, review the content so you are familiar with the information that is being communicated to students. (Course syllabus can be found in the Course Information and Introduction module. Please do not use the syllabus tool found in Canvas.)

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4. Schedule

Update the schedule with dates for the current semester. (Course schedule can be found in the Course Information and IntroductionModule.)

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5. Introductory Video

Create an introductory video to introduce yourself and the course and post it in on the <<______ page>>.  Please visit the CAS Online website for information on creating video.

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6. Textbook Link Connect

A link to <<_____ >> has already been created in the course, but you will need to go through the steps to pair the course with Connect.  <<Provide a link to instructions and/or a video>>

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7. Dates

Set all dates for when items are open and are due (based on the course schedule). This includes: 

  • Module lock dates: Set lock dates for all of the modules on the Modules page so that students don't have access to them until their scheduled dates (see course schedule). You may also choose to allow early access to modules so students can work ahead. (Canvas guide on locking modules Links to an external site.)
  • Discussion Dates: Set dates for "Available from" (start date) and "Until" (end date) and the "Due" date (the due date and end date are typically the same). These dates are based on the dates listed in the course schedule for each lesson.
    Note: If you prefer, set the discussion start dates to correspond to the Unit open date. >>So if Unit 2 opens on February 15 set all the discussions for that Unit to open at the same time. But set the end date/due date for each discussion according to the end date of the lesson the discussion is in.
  • Quiz Dates: Set the due dates for the quizzes.
  • Submission Assignment Dates: For any other assignment (other than discussions and quizzes) set the "Available from" and "Until" dates and the "Due" date (the due date and end date can be the same). These assignments can be found under the "Assignments" link in the left navigation.
  • NOTE: Set items to open at 12:01 AM and close at 11:59 PM for consistency

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8. Mini-lectures

You will need to create some type of presentation for each lesson. Ideally, these would be narrated PowerPoints (or the like).  Please visit the CAS Online website for information on creating video.

Place the mini-lectures for each of the lessons in the course by embedding them on the <<____ pages>>.  (How to embed videos and MyMedia videos in Canvas)

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9. Course

Thoroughly review the course and be familiar with all of the content

 

TEACHING THE COURSE and STAYING ENGAGED & PRESENT

During the semester please check into the course on a daily basis. The following are some guidelines for teaching the course and staying engaged and present.

  1. Grades and Feedback
    • Keep up with grading. Turn around time should be:
      • 3-5 days* for short assignments (such as discussions)
      • 5-9 days* for longer assignments 
      • *In a shortened semester these times change to 1-3 days for short and 2-4 days for longer
    • Provide meaningful and substantive feedback on student submissions. If using SpeedGrader to grade and annotate submission assignments send an announcement to students when grading is complete and let them know how to access this feedback (see the section on how to locate feedback on this page).
    • Sync grades from <<Textbook Site>> to Canvas (<<Provide link on how to>>).
      • You can also manually enter <<Textbook>> grades if you prefer.
  2. Discussions
    Actively participate in the discussion forum (where all students can see) - respond to at least 15-20% of student posts and encourage discussions through probing, clarifying, and guiding questions. Provide individualized feedback in SpeedGrader Links to an external site. in addition to posting on the discussion board. 

  3. Communication 
    Respond to student inquiries within 24-48 hours (this includes emails, Canvas messages, responses to assignment feedback, etc.). Contact inactive students or students who are struggling and offer support.

  4. Announcements
    Post at least one announcement each week that clarifies concepts, encourages participation, and/or offers additional resources and information (if teaching Intersession or Summer post an announcement every 1-3 days). By doing this, students see that you are present in the course and sharing information that is helpful or applicable. For some ideas on what to post click here: Announcement Tips)

  5. Office Hours
    Hold office hours appropriate to an online learning environment (e.g. via Zoom, external chat tools, etc.)