Resources for Distance and Onlne Teaching Faculty

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started

   1. Who do I contact to see if all personnel paperwork is in? Initially you should confirm with the Academic Department Administrative Assistant. They will be receiving and forwarding your paperwork to Human Resources or Faculty Forms

   2. Where is my class being held and what is the first day of class? Distance and On-Line Program Schedule, Banner/WebCat, or call Educational Outreach at 828-227-7397.

   3. How do I send my students an email before the start of class? Using MyCat and clicking on your course link, you can communicate with all students enrolled in your course.

   4. How do I get a roster? Using MyCat and clicking on your course link, you can see and print a current class roster.

   5. What is WebCat? WebCat is the Blackboard Vista Internet Course Management System at Western Carolina University.

   6. Need more info on using WebCat?

   7. How do I make sure a textbook has been ordered? Bookstore - Textbook orders

   8. How do I request a WCU car or van for transportation? Motor Pool - must have Banner ID and pin # to access

   9. How do I request off-campus room/ media equipment/ computer lab? (fill out the off-campus room/media equipment form and return to Bronwen Sheffield, Director of Student Services, 828-227-7397) Request Form

   10. How do I get faculty e-mail set up, password set up for My Cat for Faculty, and WebCat? Information Technology Help Desk

   11. What other teaching resources are available? Technology Resources for Faculty , Instructional Technology;

   12. Additional professional development opportunities

   13. Syllabus Resources

   14. Directory for Distance and Online Program Directors/Administrators

2. Getting the Class Organized – Distance Classes are administered under the same university and departmental policies as On-Campus Residential classes.

   1. Where is the academic calendar for WCU? (Be sure to compare the academic calendar for the community college campus where you are teaching. If there are differences, please contact Educational Outreach to make sure facilities are available/open on holidays and breaks ) Academic Calendar - Registrar

   2. How do I report first and second week attendance? Faculty/Advisor Information Guide Note: All WCU courses, including Distance Learning programs/classes are expected to meet regularly. Students should sign-in and be actively engaged in the learning process from the beginning of the semester forward.

   3. How do I drop a student from my class that is not attending? Instructor initiated drop for non-attendance: Registrar

   4. What library resources are available for distance learning students and faculty? Hunter Library resources are available to all WCU students. Library Teaching Resources

   5. Please refer to the partner Community College off-campus information for information for a particular site for the following questions: Who do I contact if I need to cancel a class? What if there is inclement weather? What if I need to make copies? What if the room is locked? Do I need a parking sticker? Can I use the library resources off campus?

   6. What learning resources are available to students on-line? Library Resources, and writing resources at the Writing Center.

3. Responding to student questions

   1. Who is my advisor? Advising

   2. How do I contact about my bill? Billing

   3. Who do I contact about my financial aid? Financial Aid

   4. Directory for Distance and Online Program Directors/Administrators

   5. Where can I get help with WebCat?

   6. Office hours

   7. How can I use the Hunter Library? Hunter Library Resources for Distance Learners (pdf)
      
   8. How do I order a textbook? Bookstore - ordering textbooks

   9. How do students register, drop/add, contact an advisor, or change their major? Registrar's student guide/resource page

   10. How do I process a withdrawal? Registrar - Forms for students
       Can I use the resources available on the distance learning partner campus site? (see off-campus information)

   11. Drop/add dates

4. Concluding the Course

   a. How do students fill out a faculty evaluation? Course Evaluation Form (student info); Course Evaluation (faculty info)

   b. When do I report grades? Reporting 5 week, Midsemester, Incompletes and Final Grades

   c. Faculty/Advisor Information Guide

5. Additional On-Campus Resource Information

   1. Faculty/Staff Directory

   2. Human Resources

   3. Human Resources Handbook and Policies

   4. F/T Faculty Handbook

   5. P/T Faculty Handbook

6. Off–Campus Resources

   1. Off campus Partner institution information (maps, directions, parking, security, directory for contact, IT, who to contact if room is locked, etc.)

   2. Contact list for Educational Outreach and Distance Learning Program Directors