Guiding Principles & FAQs

For new, sessional, and returning instructors in Engineering

This content shares the Faculty of Engineering's guiding principles for course planning and delivery, along with FAQs covering course outlines, assessments, absence policies, generative AI, end-of-term expectations, teaching strategies for wellness, and Territorial Acknowledgement guidance.

• Prepare to be agile, flexible, and include strategic slack in your course design. From the pandemic, we have learned that circumstances can change suddenly – for instructors and students. Assume that there will be bumps and potholes to deal with, so build in time for you and the students to pivot or catch up as needed. For accredited programs it is important that you know what is essential to keep, and what can be dropped from your course. Include a “fair contingency for unforeseen circumstances” course policy in your course outline.
• Practice compassionate consideration and respect accommodation (humane and empathetic understanding when someone faces extenuating circumstances). Accommodation on grounds of disability is a legal requirement. AccessAbility Services is the unit who contacts the instructor regarding legally required accommodation for specific students. Compassionate consideration is within your control as an instructor and can be provided to all students (e.g., using Grace Days to allow students to submit a deliverable without penalty beyond a deadline date listed in the course outline – your contract with the students).
• Put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. Be compassionate with yourself so you can show compassion to your students and your teaching assistants. Instructors have many responsibilities beyond the classroom.
• Academic integrity matters! A fair and honest community needs good role models. Be clear with students as to why academic integrity matters in your course and discipline. All UWaterloo courses are expected to include a UWaterloo GenAI statements in their course outlines and assessments. Make sure that you understand and can explain how Policy 71 applies and the consequences of violations. If you need help understanding how UW policies apply to your course or with investigations, contact us engineering.integrity@uwaterloo.ca.
• Add high-impact value through in-person time. Identify key activities or interactions that will provide the most benefit to student learning and engagement with your course and build back a sense of community.
• Build community with students. Time is better spent creating positive interactions and building a sense of belonging than editing videos or slide decks to perfection.
• Manage student expectations. Take time during the first weeks of classes to go over your expectations for how the instructional team will manage course delivery, contingency plans if needed, and methods of communication so that all students feel included and welcomed.
• Let’s work together as a community. If you have questions about how to interpret or implement any of the guiding principles, please reach out to our network of instructors. Good starting points are our department Teaching-Learning Champions, the Associate Dean Teaching & Student Experience, and our CTE Faculty Liaison.