Continuing Studies is excited to announce that we are currently being set up to accommodate wireless internet. We are told that this will be available by September. More information will be made available, however we can tell you that as an instructor you will be able to have access with your laptop by using your UWO username and password.

Students that are currently enrolled as UWO students (registered in any of our post-degree programs) will also have instant access by using their UWO username and password.

This is a one-day, FREE session for all instructors that will cover the topics: “Defining the Role of the Instructor in the Classroom,” “Managing and Setting Expectations for Your Course,” “Evaluating Your Teaching Effectiveness” and “Managing Difficult Student Situations.”

Instructors who complete the one-day session will receive a Certificate of Completion in Classroom Leadership from Continuing Studies.

8:30 am - 4:30 pm on October 16, 2009.  Lunch will be provided.

Continuing Studies classroom in Citi Plaza.

Additional information will be sent to you by e-mail and will include information about how you can register for this session.

Continuing Studies recently began using an online survey tool, Survey Monkey, as a way for students to provide feedback, about their courses.  The decision to use an online tool is based on Continuing Studies’ goal of providing students with an anonymous way in which to provide feedback, as well as simplifying various business processes.  Reducing the use of paper is an additional benefit.  There is no perfect survey, but work has been done to ensure that the methodology of this particular survey is as rigorous as our resources will allow.

Below are some questions and responses that will address any concerns you may have about the recent change in survey format.

How does Continuing Studies use the surveys?

Continuing Studies uses the surveys as one of several evaluation tools for both instructors and the curriculum.  While one single evaluation may not signal a need for changes in teaching or course offerings, the Program Coordinators will respond to trends that appear and will make necessary changes to ensure that students have the best possible learning experience.  Program Coordinators also make every effort to be in touch and recognize positive trends.

What is different about the online surveys?

The major difference is that they are completely anonymous.  We received feedback from students prior to the implementation of the online surveys that some instructors were in the room while the surveys were completed, which was cause for concern.  Some instructors did not hand them out to students.  Online surveys ensure that all students receive them and have the opportunity to provide feedback in an anonymous manner.

The wording of some of the specific questions was changed slightly for clarification, but overall the questions remain very similar to those on the paper surveys.  Students also have the opportunity to add additional comments as they did with the previous surveys.

There is a change in the rating scale. The online surveys have a wider range of options between “strongly agree” and “strongly disagree,” and this is consistent with the goal of improving the survey’s methodology.

Have student responses changed?

In some courses the response rate has decreased slightly, while in others there has been an increase in the response rate.  The responses tend to be more dichotomous.  In large part this is due to the fact that many students are not responding with “agree” to every question without much thought as had been done in the past.  This means that those who respond online tend to either be very positive or very negative about their experiences, and we have also noticed that comments appear less reserved.  Following the first large-scale use of the online surveys this past year, it can be said that no unusual concerns were raised.  Instructors can also help improve the response rate by encouraging their students to respond to the online survey they will receive by e-mail.

If instructors are concerned about the responses they receive for a course, what should they do?

Instructors are always welcome to contact the Program Coordinator for the portfolio in which the course is offered.  Program Coordinators will be able to offer resources that will be helpful for an individual’s professional development as well as “best practices” that have been found helpful in other courses.  Continuing Studies is here to help instructors in every way possible.  We are all working towards the goal of providing the best student experience.

All online and web enhanced courses are now accessible on WebCT. Content has been copied over from the previous year, where you will be able to login and make the appropriate changes/updates. If the course is new to WebCT it will be the responsibility of the instructor to create the course content that they wish to provide to the students. Please note that all course content must be added/updated the week prior to the course starting.

Having troubles logging in or using WebCT?

Summer Hours

August
8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday

September - July
8:00 am - 7:30 pm, Monday to Thursday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Friday

Closed (no classes)
Monday, September 7, 2009 Labour Day
Monday, October 12, 2009 Thanksgiving