Instructor handbook

Workshops, professional development, and other training courses are available to UWaterloo staff and faculty:

• Events, programs, and workshops offered through the Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE)
• Learning and development programs offered through Organizational Human Development (OHD)
• Web based training on LinkedIn Learning
• On-campus professional development opportunities

Textbook orders may be submitted on the Bookstore website. Courseware (course notes, lab manuals, etc.) is a course notes package that can be prepared as an alternative to a textbook.

It is advisable to place copies of course materials on reserve at the Library. Information about course reserves can be found on the Library website. Course reserves are accessible to students at no charge.

A course outline template can be found on the Secretariat website. See the CTE website for information on what to include in a course outline and examples of exemplar course outlines.

The Department of Kinesiology has developed a standardized course outline that can be obtained by contacting the Undergraduate Chair, Chris Vigna.

Information about assessing students and developing learning activities can be found on the CTE website.

See the current Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar for academic regulations related to assignments, tests, and final exams found under the Academic Regulations tab.

Students registered with AccessAbility Services may receive accommodations throughout the term for assignments, tests, and final examinations. 

The final examination schedule and important information about final examinations can be found on the Registrar’s Office website.

Accommodations

Students who have two final examinations scheduled on the same day, at the same time, may fill out the final examination timetable conflict form. Eligible reasons for accommodations during final examinations are outlined in the current Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Exam processing

Optical Marks Recognition (OMR) scanning reads answer sheets and saves the accumulated data to file. See the IST website for more information about exam and survey processing.

Crowdmark is an online, collaborative marking system available to instructors and students. Please visit the Crowdmark website for more information.

Odyssey is the exam management system UWaterloo uses to collect exam scheduling information, create seat assignments, and print exams. Please visit the Odyssey website for more information.

Posting final grades

Instructors may post student information in a public place provided the identification of the student remains private, as outlined in Policy 46 – Information Management.

Final examination and final course grades are not to be released prior to the end of the final examination period. If you do not have a final exam, then you should not release students' last test/assignment grade prior to the end of the final examination period.

University closures and emergency procedures

If there is a university closure during final examinations, rescheduled examinations will be held at the same time of day and in the same location as originally scheduled, on the next available day on which examinations have not been scheduled.

All individuals in charge of proctoring final examinations should be familiar with evacuation procedures for final examinations, outlined on the Registrar’s Office (RO) website.

A teaching assistant (TA) contract should be developed to ensure that TAs understand their hours (typically 160 hours per term), start/end dates, responsibilities and expectations. Questions that a TA should ask are outlined on the CTE website. 

Giving and receiving feedback with TAs is beneficial to you as the instructor, and to students. The Faculty of Health Teaching Assistant (TA) Performance Evaluation process aims to help course instructors support their TAs, ensure two-way accountability between instructors and TAs, and provides a safe and constructive opportunity for documented self-reflection and evaluation. All instructors with TAs are encouraged to participate in this process.

The teaching assistant manual, available on the Faculty of Health website, provides information about TA responsibilities and additional resources. 

The TA Community Group is available to all Faculty of Health TAs through LEARN. Questions about the TA Community Group can be directed to Leeann Ferries.

Room booking procedures and information on after-hours use of space can be found on the Faculty of Health website.

Most bookings in B.C. Matthews Hall (BMH), Lyle Hallman North (LHN), Lyle Hallman South (LHS) and the Toby Jenkins Applied Health Research Building (TJB) are organized through Faculty of Health Reception on the 3^rd floor of BMH. Please email Faculty of Health Reception for more information.

Information on bookable resources and assigning keys in BMH and LHI can be found on the Faculty of Health website.

Audio-visual equipment, including laptops, projectors, and computer adaptors, can be booked through Faculty of Health Reception on the 3^rd floor of BMH.

Turnitin® is a tool that can be used with LEARN dropboxes that compares submitted assignments to its database.

Regardless of whether Turnitin® will be used in a course or not, students must be given notice of this software in the course outline. If you intend to use Turnitin®, please be prepared to arrange an alternative for any student who does not wish to submit their files to a Turnitin® dropbox.

More information about Turnitin® guidelines for instructors can be found on the Academic Integrity website.

Centre for Career Development (CCD)

• Offers career advising to students, alumni, staff, faculty, and post-docs.
• See the website for information on workshops, appointments, internal resources and job postings.

Centre for Extended Learning (CEL)

• Offers information on learning online, teaching online, and opportunities for professional development.

Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE)

• Offers a variety of programs and services to support instructors with their teaching, including:
  • Workshops and presentations throughout all terms
  • An overview of policies, handbooks, and templates to answer many questions that arise for instructors
  • One-on-one consultations through the CTE Liaison for guidance on a particular issue
  • Learning Innovation and Teaching Enhancement (LITE) grants to support research and teaching enhancement
  • Teaching awards to celebrate teaching excellence
  • Resources for teaching tips
• The Faculty of Health CTE Liaison facilitates the uptake of teaching and learning initiatives established by CTE, emphasizing blended learning, learning technologies and course design.

Teaching Fellows

• This position was established as part of a university-wide effort to raise the profile of teaching and learning, and to support and encourage teaching excellence.
• To connect with an Faculty of Health Teaching Fellow, please contact Elena Neiterman (SPHS), Zara Rafferty (REC), or Tamara Maciel (KIN).

Writing and Communications Centre

• Offers writing and communication practice, support, and research on campus.

Graduate Studies Academic Calendar

• The main contractual document between graduate students and UWaterloo.
• Information about academic deadlines, graduate programs, graduate courses, and Faculty-specific program information can be found on the website.

Important dates

• The Quest website outlines important dates for each academic year, such as the course selection period, course drop/add dates, fee deadlines, Convocation, and University holidays.

Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar

• The main contractual document between undergraduate students and UWaterloo.
• Information about academic deadlines, admission, fees, and Faculty-specific program information can be found on the website.

Health Computing Office

• Offers information about UWaterloo accounts, email, printing, and software.
• See the Health Computing Office website for IT support for faculty and staff.

The Office of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion

• A central source of expertise on substantive equality, diversity, and inclusion matters.
• Provides a variety of services for persons dealing with conflict, human rights issues or workplace harassment.
• Please see The Office of Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion website for information on current equity initiatives and for learning and development opportunities.

Information Systems and Technology (IST)

• Provides support and training services for instructors and students, management and support of UWaterloo LEARN, and information regarding use of podium computers, laptops, and classroom bookings.

Libraries

• Hours and locations can be found on the Library website.
• The University is linked to the Ontario Inter-University Library System whereby it is possible to obtain a copy of a book or journal that is not available in our library within 48 hours. The inter-library loan (ILL) service reaches across North America.

Registrar’s Office (RO)

• Provides a variety of services for undergraduate students, faculty, and staff. Relevant information for faculty and staff can be found on the RO website.

AccessAbility Services

• Provides support for students with permanent and temporary disabilities. Students can apply online for support.
• AccessAbility Services will contact instructors directly if accommodations are needed in their course. It is a student's right to request and receive alternative classroom and examination procedures on the basis of a documented disability.
• Tips for instructing students with disabilities can be found on the AccessAbility Services website.

Health and well-being Counselling Appointments

• Offers individual appointments, peer support and mentoring, and seminars, workshops and group therapy
• Information for faculty and staff who are supporting students can be found on the Campus Wellness website.
• Appointment times specifically for Faculty of Health students are available at Health Services. Please contact Counselling Services at 519-888-4096 for more information.

Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) 

• Offers a range of health and wellness services to UWaterloo employees and their dependent family members, including counselling services (face-to-face), plan smart services (by telephone), and online services.
• Employees who have the temporary benefits program are not eligible for EFAP services.

Sexual Violence Response Coordinator (SVRC)

• Provides information and support for students, faculty and staff who have experienced sexual violence.

WatSAFE

• The WatSAFE app provides push notifications in case of major campus emergencies.

Graduate Student Association (GSA)

• Hosts events, offers financial support, and provides a number of services for graduate students, including legal aid, student advising, and supplementary health and dental plans. 

International Student Experience (ISE) 

• The ISE team provides support for international students and promotes integration into UWaterloo student community.
• Services include English speaking and writing practice and International Student Advisors.

Student Success Office (SSO)

• Provides student support for academic and personal success.
• Information on communicating effectively with students can be found on the SSO website. 

UW MATES 

• Provides peer mentorship to students who are experiencing social difficulties, mental health challenges, and transitional challenges adapting to university life or different cultures.

weCONNECTu

• Provides academic and social support for new students in the Faculty of Health during their transition to university through workshops, peer mentoring, and academic and community-based programming.