Weeks Leading Up to Your Teaching Semester
Complete your Certificate for Online Teaching
This is a requirement for all new online faculty to the College of IST. Seasoned online faculty are also encouraged to take the following teaching program. It is quick, free, easy, and well worth your time. You may learn more online.
Know Important Dates in the Semester
Some information you should be aware of includes semester running date, drop/add date, and any scheduled breaks. Penn State’s Office of the University Registrar keeps track of this information online.
Review the Course in Canvas
While your Instructional Designer will help you set up the course on Canvas, it is important for you to review the information carefully so that the course runs the way you intend. Good items to check/set up include content items, course schedule/due dates, assessments, and the gradebook.
Be Familiar with Student Policy Information
World Campus students have access to student policies via their Student Enrollment Services Web site. This site includes information on World Campus policies and procedures for actions such as academic integrity, course drops, deferred grades, and the grading system, as well as general information on time management, study habits, and writing skills. Faculty are encouraged to review these policies prior to beginning to teach online. You may visit online.
Items for the First Week of Class
Welcome Students to the Course
Send and post a “Welcome” message/video to students to introduce them to the course and to establish your expectations for them. You can use the Announcements tool in Canvas to do this.
Check the Student Roster
There may be some drop/add student activity during this period, so checking the roster during this time will help keep you aware of the students taking the course. Both in Canvas and in LionPath you can view the Add/Drop list.
Group Creation
While you may not be able to do this the first week of class, it’s never too early to prepare your students for the fact that they will have a group project (if applicable in your course) and to get them or you started thinking of the team formation process.
Ongoing Items During the Semester
Communicate Frequently
Many instructors send out at least weekly messages as Announcements to the entire course to either recap information from the previous week and/or set the tone for the coming week. These weekly messages are also a great opportunity to remind students about upcoming assignments.
Check Canvas Regularly
Many students will communicate with you through Canvas email and/or discussion forums. Checking Canvas regularly (at least daily) helps ensure that you are providing good communication and feedback to students. Many online students do course work on the weekends, so expect heavier activity then.
Grade Assignments in a Timely Manner
Whenever possible, we recommend providing student feedback within 48 hours of an assignment’s due date.
Check-in with Students Who Do Not Appear Active in the Course
If a student is not turning in assignments or participating in group discussions or activities, try to touch base with them via email. Use Starfish to alert their adviser, if needed.
End of the Semester Items
Encourage Students to Submit the Online SRTE
During the last week of the course, send a note to students reminding them to submit the SRTE (Student Rating of Teaching Effectiveness).
Post Final Grades
Visit LionPATH to post final grades for the course within two days of the class’s end.
Conduct a Recap
While things are still fresh in your mind, ask yourself what changes or adjustments you would make to the course if you were to teach the material again.
Photo: Emilee Spokus