From the desk of:     Linda Brant Collins, Senior Lecturer, Department of Statistics
University of Chicagolcollins at uchicago dot edu
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Some Guidance for Instructors in the Department of Statistics

Since the same issues and questions for new instructors often come up around the same time in each quarter, we have organized information useful for instructors in a timeline. The first time you lecture for a course, you may want to read through the entire timeline and then later, refer back to issues as they come up during the quarter. To get started, here is a brief summary of instructor responsibilities. As always, you are welcome to ask Linda Collins questions at any time.
Week# Suggested Tasks and Common Issues
–4 Start preparations at least 4 weeks before classes begin
  Review the course textbook and find resources
  Know the responsibilities of an instructor
–3 Request a Chalk course website
  Get Chalk training
–2 Check the academic calendar (holidays, breaks, Reading Period)
  Plan homework, quiz and exam dates
  Set the final exam date, time and place
  Set up the course website online
–1 Post a syllabus online
  Plan week #1 lectures (plan weekly)
  Consider using some “active learning” techniques in your classroom
  Meet with your co-instructors and CAs to schedule office hours and discussion sessions
1 CLASSES BEGIN
  Begin learning students' names
  Help students find an appropriate introductory course
  Manage the add/drop process
  Maintain an accurate roster (keep a list of students planning to add the course)
  Manually enroll students onto Chalk, if necessary since some students may be planning to add the course, but have not yet filed the paperwork with the Registrar
  Determine the first homework assignment (weekly)
2 Make homework collaboration policy clear
  Meet with your CA(s) and grader(s) to schedule the homework grading process
3 Friday of Week #3 is the last day to drop a course: confirm remaining questions about roster and contact students not attending
  Start writing your first exam
4 Request a final picture roster from the Registrar
  Remove unenrolled students from Chalk (limit access to enrolled students only)
  Read these suggestions for proctoring your exam to minimize cheating
  Read these suggestions for proctoring your exam to help students succeed
  Under construction. The topics below will have links and more information soon!
  Handle requests for make-up exams
  Grade the exam
5 Double check the syllabus and adjust your pace if far behind
  Handle students who tell you that they "didn't do as well as I would have liked" on exam
6 Review grades so far and contact any students in trouble
7 Double check the syllabus and adjust your coverage plans if far behind
8 Handle requests for Withdrawals, Incompletes, and Pass/Fail grades
9 Begin writing the final exam
  Check for graduating students and others needing an early final exam
10 Respect the Undergraduate Reading Period
Final Handle last-minute student emergencies
  Assign course grades
  Respect student privacy rights if posting course grades

Last modified: September 6, 2007 4:06PM

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