Course Development

Instructional Consulting—Common Instructional Support Questions & Resources

Q.  I want to learn about Oncourse. How can I do this?
A. We offer regular workshops for faculty on how to use Oncourse. To see the schedule for workshops you can check the workshops section of our website. We also offer individual consultations so feel invited to contact us to make an appointment. Our colleagues at the Teaching & Learning Technologies Centers (TLTC) also regularly offer Oncourse workshops. UITS is offering more thorough, hands-on workshops. Register for them at http://ittraining.iu.edu. Finally, for specific individual questions, the Knowledge Base is filled with Oncourse information: http://kb.indiana.edu

Q. Issues related to diversity have come up in my class. How can I learn more about this issue?
A. Check out the IC website's page on this subject: http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/diversity.html. We also have an excellent panel discussion on the topic of “Technology and Diversity” in our “E-Brownbag” video series at http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/ebrownbag/.

Q. I would like to use an online gradebook.
A. The best and most straight forward option is to use the Gradebook tool in Oncourse.

Q. I would like to put together a course syllabus, but I don't know where to start.
A. Check out our syllabus templates at http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/sample.html

Q. After reading my students' last papers, I have some concerns about possible plagiarism. What can I do?
A. The best place to start is at the IU plagiarism prevention website. You will also want to refer to the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct website at http://www.indiana.edu/~code . You may want to have your students do the interactive quiz: http://www.education.indiana.edu/~frick/plagiarism/. or consider using the plagiarism prevention service that IU has a contract with called Turnitin.com.

Q. I would like to improve my teaching by getting deeper, richer feedback from my students. How can I accomplish this?
A. You can arrange for anonymous focus group sessions to be held with your students. Contact Karen Hallett in the Office of Instructional Consulting.

Q. The standard course evaluation questions don't relate to a number of concerns I have about the teaching and learning process in my class. How can I get help to develop an improved instrument?
A. You can contact Karen Hallett to arrange for a meeting in which you can receive assistance in developing a customized course evaluation, which you may then create in Oncourse survey tool or in SurveyMonkey.

Q. The amount of course content I have to go through pretty much requires that I have to give occasional lectures. How can I make them lively and interactive?
A. Check out our “E-Brownbag” video series at http://www.indiana.edu/~icy/ebrownbag/ —in particular, Curt Bonk's presentation on "Hyper-Engaging" Lectures: Low-Risk, Low-Time, Low-Cost.”

Q. I think viewing a video of my teaching would help me to improve my current practice. How can I arrange for this, and does it cost anything?
A. Our UITS colleagues at Media Production Services will be happy to videotape your classroom, often for no cost.

Q. I'm interested in including digital video in my teaching, but I don't have any experience shooting or editing DV. Can you help?
A. We would be happy to meet with you and show you how to create DV projects for use in your teaching. We also regularly offer a workshop on the subject. Contact the IC to setup an appointment.

Q. I need help creating some charts and graphs to show during class. Can you help me?
A. Yes, we have talented graphic artists on our staff. For more complicated projects, we may refer you to Graphics and Publications on campus.