Responsibilities of Online (Asynchronous) Faculty

Before the semester begins

1. Update your Syllabus prior to the beginning of each term.
2. Add your name, email address, and, if you do not object to phone calls, a phone number to your course syllabus at least one week prior to course launch.
3. Post a welcome announcement and a welcome video the week before your class starts.
   1. In your video, introduce yourself and welcome students to the class, just as you would in an in-person class.
   2. In your welcome announcement or video give students a brief introduction to the course and what students can expect to learn during the term.
   3. In your welcome announcement, give directions on what students should do first and what they should focus on during the first week of class.

The first week of the semester

1. Create an introductory discussion in which you ask students to introduce themselves.
2. Respond to each student’s post in the introductory discussion. Welcome each student individually to the course to start the term in a positive way.

During the semester

1. Facilitate engaging discussion on a topic relevant to the course at least once per week or a minimum of twelve times per semester.
2. Work to create a supportive community through your own example and your comments.
3. Participate regularly in the weekly discussions.
4. In order to make it possible for students to “attend” your class, create one graded assignment per week. (Options include a graded discussion, an exam, a low-stakes quiz, reflection writing, an essay, or graded group work.)
5. On Populi, provide clear expectations regarding engagement and assignments. Ensure students know what to do in the class in order to be successful.
6. In alignment with USK’s Writing Across the Curriculum policy, assign 2,000 words of writing over the course of the semester.
7. If it appears that a student is struggling, contact your Department Chair and the student’s Advisor. Early support and intervention are critical.
8. Actively participate as a facilitator of learning on at least five days each week, never being absent for more than 48 consecutive hours.
9. On the class’s bulletin board, post regular announcements as a way of responding to questions or preparing students for what to expect that week.
10. Respond to questions in a timely manner – always in less than 24 hours.
11. Be tangibly present by participating in discussions, creating regular announcements, and giving students feedback. Leave no question in students’ minds that you are there and that you care about their learning and their success.

Policies and deadlines

1. Inform your Chairperson and students in advance if you must be absent from the course for more than 48 hours.
2. Complete grading within a week of the date it is submitted and provide meaningful, actionable feedback on all student work. Tell students what they did well and give specific suggestions for improvement.
3. Post grades on Populi promptly and submit final grades by the deadline communicated by the Registrar’s office.
4. Remember USK’s no late work policy and remind students of it early.
5. Use Unicheck to check for plagiarism, and report instances of plagiarism or cheating to your department chair.