Frequently Asked Questions

 

Technology Information

Who do I contact if I have a technology related question?

A: Start with the CMU Help Desk at 989-774-3662 for assistance. You can find Help Desk hours, services, and a live list of available agents at http://www.oit.cmich.edu/helpdesk/helpdesk_home.asp

 

Course Development

1.  Where can I get information about the program I teach including the program director contact information, the learning outcomes for the program and the assessment plans and reports?

A:  You may find this information on the Faculty Resource Center (www.cel.cmich.edu/faculty) under the links for Academic Programs.

 

2.  How do I access the Syllabus Build Tool?

A:  You may find this information on the Faculty Resource Center (www.cel.cmich.edu/faculty) or through your CMU portal (https://portal.cmich.edu).

 

3.  How can I order an instructor’s copy or review copy of a textbook?

A:   The easiest way to obtain an examination copy of a textbook is to contact the book's publisher directly and request a copy from them. Most publisher web sites feature an online form for this purpose, and all sites provide a customer service telephone number. Contact an OCLS librarian if you need help locating a publisher's contact information.

 

4.  Am I required to have a pre-class or post-class assignment?

A:  You are not required, although you should consider the pedagogical possibilities that exist by having a pre-class assignment that prepares students for your first class meeting. Also, be cognizant that if you have a post-class assignment, you will still need to have time to grade the assignments and submit final grades before the two week grade deadline.

 

5.  How do I compensate a guest speaker? Are there honorariums or certificates of appreciation?

A:  Although this used to be the policy, it is no longer so as of January, 2007. An instructor may work with their program administrator to see if there are extra promotional items or if a certificate can be provided in recognition to the speakers. Instructors who wish to compensate a guest speaker of national prominence must ask permission of the Program Director at least two weeks before the course begins. The guest speaker guidelines can be found on the Faculty Resource Center.

 

6.  Am I reimbursed for instructional videos I rent or purchase for my course?

A:  You may find this information on the Faculty Resource Center under the links for Academic Programs.

 

Course Delivery

1.  How do I get pre-course assignments to students?

A:  Pre-course assignments should be identified in your course syllabus; your assignments should be posted to your Blackboard shell along with any rubric or evaluation tool. Students will receive the syllabus for your course when they register. This is why it is important to submit your syllabus as early as possible.

 

2.  What is the typical time between students receiving my syllabus and the course start date?

A:  This can be anywhere from 6 weeks to the day of class. It depends on how quickly you submit your syllabus and when the student registers. If students register onsite, it could be the day of your course; by telephone, it could be 2-4 weeks before the course starts.

 

3.  Can I require students’ attendance?

A:  Yes. Make sure that you are clear in your syllabus about your attendance policy, including the repercussions of missing a class.

 

4. What do I need to do if a class is cancelled?

A:  You will need to coordinate notifying your students with your Center Administrator and send an email to the program director on how you will address the missed contact hours. The complete procedure can be found on the Faculty Resource Center at http://www.cel.cmich.edu/faculty/procedures-forms/procedures.html.

  

5.  Do I need to fill out the instructor survey for each course I teach?

A:  Yes. Each class has a unique mixture of students and issues and this is the information you need to convey in the survey. The instructor survey data are helpful to the program directions.

 

6.  Is it legal to give grades to students over the phone or through e-mail?

A:  NO! It is not. Federal Family Rights and Privacy Act prohibit disclosing personal information without written authorization of the student.

 

 

 

Home

Next >