A recent multi-million dollar redevelopment project has transformed the property formerly known as Citi Plaza into one of downtown London’s most vibrant mixed-use complexes. Officially launched as Citi Plaza in May 2009, the centre features an exciting mix of retail, business and consumer services, education providers and offices. Over 3,500 people work at the one million square foot Citi Plaza property, making it one of the city’s largest workplace locations.  An additional 500 students attend the diverse mix of educational facilities.

The redevelopment includes the addition of major tenant Citi Cards Canada, a dramatic new atrium entrance on Wellington Street and a contemporary 400-seat food court with state of the art lighting and LCD television monitors. In addition, the Plaza has recently attracted well-known Canadian businesses and retailers including the Fox and Fiddle, Suzy Shier, Country Style Bistro Deli and Ardene.

Citi Plaza is conveniently located in the heart of downtown London and is accessible by vehicle, London Transit, and is situated walking distance from the city’s VIA Train station.

Citi Plaza has paid parking for approximately 1,500 vehicles. Entry to their covered parkade is accessed via Wellington, York, Clarence or King Street.

From desk time to down time, it’s all here: a space to work, grab a bite, shop, workout your body or your mind.

For more information on Citi Plaza check out our web site at www.citiplazalondon.com.

 

What is a Privacy Breach?
A privacy breach is an unauthorized collection, use or disclosure of an individual’s personal information, in contravention of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“FIPPA”) or Personal Health Information Protection Act (“PHIPA”).

Examples of unauthorized collection, use or disclosure include:

  • Lost, misplaced or stolen personal information (laptops, USB keys, CDs, etc.)
  • Accidental disclosure of personal information to an unauthorized person or group (e.g. forwarding email, not hiding distribution list in the ‘BCC’ address line (blind carbon copy), posting personal information on a website, etc.)
  • Deliberate disclosure of personal information to an unauthorized person or group (for fraudulent or other purposes)

What is Personal Information?
Personal Information is defined as recorded information about an identifiable individual. An individual’s personal information includes information regarding his or her race, gender, home address, medical history, education history, identifying numbers (e.g. SIN, employee number, student number, etc.), financial or employment information; personal opinions; completed assignments and exams; and grades, comments and evaluations provided by an instructor.

What to do if a Privacy Breach Occurs?

Inform

  • Contact Continuing Studies

Contain

  • Take steps to stop or minimize breach, where possible

Tips for Complying with Western's Privacy Policy

  • If you teach in an online course, please use the e-mail function within WebCT for communicating with students.  If the exchange of telephone numbers is necessary, that information should be requested through e-mail within WebCT.  If the telephone number needs to be retained for future use, then the e-mail containing the contact information can simply be left in your WebCT mailbox.  Please do not create a separate document containing this information for storage on your personal computer.
  • If you teach in an online course, or if you teach in a face-to-face course that has a WebCT component, please record grades for student assignments in the grade book tool within WebCT.  Please do not create a separate document containing this information for storage on your personal computer.
  • If you must use a spreadsheet (or some other similar tool) to track grades or other information, please use only one student identifier on the document (e.g. name only, student number only).  Under these circumstances, it is critical that the document be password protected or encrypted; if the spreadsheet contains grade-related information, it should be retained in a secure location for one calendar year, at which time it must be destroyed securely.
  • Password protect your laptop and/or documents that are saved on your laptop. If you are storing personal information on your laptop, you should also consider encryption.  Contact ITS at Western, your local IT support group, or see security.uwo.ca for details.
  • When asking students to submit assignments/exams, ask students to put only one identifier (e.g. name only, student number only) on the document.  If you retain the assignment/exam following the conclusion of the course (e.g. perhaps you like to keep copies of exemplary student work to use as an example for future classes), you will easily be able to dispose of the covering page and still have a copy of the assignment that does not identify the student in any way.  Under these circumstances, note that you must dispose of the covering page and you must remove any other identifying information in the material.

For additional tips about information security and protecting your home computer, please refer to http://www.uwo.ca/its/computerWellness.htm. 

Research has shown that superior teaching practice encourages interaction between students and faculty, and between students and students.  Your prompt feedback and the communication of your high expectations will aid in setting learning goals. Therefore, it is important to clearly explain the mutual expectations of the online course to your students. This practice will make your life simpler as an instructor and more rewarding for you and your students.

Creating an interactive, online classroom requires that you and your students participate as a class, sharing ideas, concepts, and understanding of course materials. Tell your students that you (the instructor) will read your discussions at least 3 times per week and that you expect the student would do likewise and comment on your and other students’ comments with the same frequency. You will set your own number based on your expectations, but the important thing is that you tell the students what you expect and what the students should expect of you. Now that you have communicated the mutual expectations, stick to your contract with the students. If for some reason you are not able to communicate with the frequency that you have established in the past, tell the students why and for what period of time. There are only a few things that will make a great course a poor experience, and number one is: “Where is the instructor?”

Getting Help with Online Courses

Setting up WebCT OWL sections
Karen De Heus is your primary contact for creation of new sections and for questions about making changes to online material: kdeheus@uwo.ca; 519 661 2111 ext. 85665.

Training and questions about using the WebCT OWL tools…
The Instructional Technology Resource Centre (ITRC) provides support and training for WebCT OWL.  The ITRC can be reached at 519 661 2111 ext. 85513

WebCT OWL manuals, tutorials, and online support

    • OWL Instructor-Designer Support: After logging into WebCT OWL, you should see a link to OWL - Instructor-Designer Support where you can access a variety of manuals, tutorials, and a faculty discussion area.
    • Manualettes: The ITRC has created a series of quick start guides for many of the WebCT OWL tools.  Many of the guides are available as PDFs and video tutorials so you can watch the tools in action.
    • Instructional Videos: The ITRC has a series of videos demonstrating how a course can be built in WebCT OWL. 

Student Problems with WebCT OWL
If your students are experiencing problems, please direct them to the ITS Help Desk at 519 661 3800. For hours and additional contact information please visit http://www.uwo.ca/its/helpdesk/. Troubleshooting information is also available online; a list of common problems and solutions are available at http://webct.uwo.ca/commonProblems.html. Students should also ensure their computer is properly prepared by visiting http://webct.uwo.ca/ and clicking on the Check My Browser link.

Important note about WebCT OWL
Continuing Studies Staff does not use WebCT OWL to check for messages. If you have a question or concern about your online course please contact us through regular email. Messages sent through WebCT OWL will not be answered.

In an effort to improve our efficiency and reduce paper, Continuing Studies has now moved towards an online instructor/course evaluation.  The evaluation still consists of 15 questions, as outlined in the new paper evaluation that we began using in the Fall of 2008. Click here to view a sample of the survey and question.

What will change?
You will no longer see paper evaluations in your instructor package. During the last week of class (or on the last day of class for 2 day courses) we will be emailing all students in your course with a link to the online evaluation. Students will have 2 weeks to complete the evaluation, at which time the link will be closed.

When will you get your feedback?
The online evaluation system tabulates the results and you will now receive these within a week after the evaluation period has closed (i.e. within 3 weeks of the course end date). A web link to the results will be emailed to you. We are confident that moving to the online evaluations will result in you receiving your evaluations in a more timely fashion.

What do we need from you?
We are asking that as part of the Continuing Studies team, you advise students that they will be receiving their instructor/course evaluation by email. It is important that you convey the importance of the completion of these evaluations and that we take student feedback seriously. Please assure students that their feedback is completely anonymous.

If you are teaching in the evening, please note that our evening staff member, Margaret, will contact security to have them lock our office doors 15 minutes after the last class is scheduled to end.

We would kindly ask that you assist us by powering off all equipment (see instructions on the classroom projectors) and closing the classroom door when you leave.

 

Spring Perspectives on Teaching
Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Keynote: Getting Students to do the Reading
Dr. Linda Nilson, founding director of the Office of Teaching Effectiveness and Innovation at Clemson University, editor of To Improve the Academy Volumes 27 and 28, co-editor of Enhancing Learning with Laptops in the Classroom, and author of Teaching at Its Best, and The Graphic Syllabus and the Outcomes Map.

Full Conference Program and Registration is available at www.uwo.ca/tsc.

Professional Certificate Reception

We will be holding our Professional Certificate Reception in early June. Please stay tuned for more details, and watch for the Evite in your email inbox.

 

If you are teaching with Continuing Studies this Fall, contract letters will be sent out towards the end of May. Please read the deadlines carefully. The Fall term is one of the busiest times for both Continuing Studies and the Western Bookstore, so please forward your textbook requirements as soon as possible in order to ensure your required text is available for the students. Your assistance in adhering to the stated deadlines is appreciated.

 

Please remember that if any of your personal information changes you will need to advise Continuing Studies. You can email Karen De Heus kdeheus@uwo.ca or complete the Staff Information Sheet included with your contract. You will also need to update your personal information on My Human Resources; after logging in, click Personal Information.

Paperless?

Beginning in April 2009, your earnings statements will no longer be automatically printed and distributed each pay period.  You will be required to login into My Human Resources to see your earnings statement.  However, you have the option to elect a printed copy to be automatically produced and sent to your home address.  After logging in, go to Payroll and Compensation - Direct Deposit Account - Click here if you want a printed earnings statement automatically distributed to you via Canada Post.

If you require a computer to access this employee application or assistance in reviewing your print options, please visit the Human Resources Communications Centre in Room 5100, Support Services Building, on Western's main campus.

 

 

Karen De Heus is your primary contact. She will be happy to help you with any questions or concerns pertaining to the matters below:

  • Course outlines
  • Handouts for photocopying
  • Custom course packages
  • Textbooks, including desk copies and CD roms
  • Copyright clearance
  • Ivey cases
  • Missed classes or cancellations
  • Instructor resources
  • Grade reports and letters of attendance
  • Scheduling make-up exams
  • Grade submissions

Karen can be reached via email at kdeheus@uwo.ca or by calling 519 661 2111 ext. 85665, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

 

Just a reminder regarding our photocopying policy that changed September 2008:

Continuing Studies had experienced an increase in the number of requests from students for photocopying and printing of assignments.  Unfortunately, we are not able to continue to accommodate these requests and would welcome assistance from the instructional team.  Please refer students who require photocopying or who need to print a copy of their assignments to the public library. Students can purchase a copy card for $2.00, $5.00, or $10.00, plus a $1 card fee. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have any instructor issues or questions, please contact us or phone 519 661 3658.
Issue 1 - Issue 2 - Issue 3 - Issue 4 - Issue 5 - Issue 6 - Issue 7 - Issue 8 - Issue 9 - Issue 10 - Issue 11 - Issue 12 - Issue 13 - Issue 14 - Issue 15 - Issue 16

.