Policies

Although there are many university-wide and college specific policies that apply to your teaching, these four are especially relevant:

University Learning Charter
Articulates our vision for learning and the roles of instructors and students

Academic Course Policy
Outlines specific rules with regard to exams, classes, grading and more

Student Discipline
Covers academic and non-academic misconduct such as plagiarism or disruptive behaviour

Copyright Policy
Outlines acceptable use of materials protected by copyright

Preparing for a class

Once you know which class(es) you'll be teaching, you may want to take care of these items right away:

  1. Create a syllabus.
  2. Order course materials such as textbooks and consider potential homework systems.
  3. Set up and publish your course within Canvas, which is the USask learning management system (LMS).
  4. Contact the University Library to put books on reserve.

If you are teaching a course with a lab, you will want to coordinate content and activities with the lab coordinator. You may also want to review the online lab safety material including training resources.

Starting a class

Campus gets busy during the weeks leading up to the start of a new term. Here are some helpful things to know:

  • Student registration
    What you need to know if students ask you for permission to register in an over-subscribed or limited class.
  • Classroom equipment
    See what technology is in your assigned classroom.
  • Know Your Class
    How to access demographic information about the students enrolled in your class to help you tailor or adapt your lesson plans.
  • Learning technologies
    Use the LTE Toolkit to learn more about the collection of teaching and learning technologies available at USask. The Learning Technology Ecosystem (LTE) is made up of the tools that the USask community uses to create, deliver, manage and analyze learning content. Find information listed by tool or by teaching practice.
  • Access and Equity Services
    What you need to know if you receive a Letter to Professor (LTP) indicating that a student enrolled in your class is registered with Access and Equity Services and requires accommodations. The LTP will outline their needs.

Teaching a class

Here are a few additional things to keep in mind when teaching a class:

  • Exams and Grades
    Scheduling information, grading system, appeals, etc.
  • Course evaluation
    Institutional tools for gathering feedback from students about the course content and your teaching style.
  • Student support
    If you notice that a student is in distress, please be aware of our support services so you can appropriately refer them.

Getting help

Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning

The GMCTL offers workshops, programs, and services to faculty, instructors, and graduate teaching assistants.