Ready to teach online? Please read over this information carefully as well as the information located at links listed.

1. Be sure your University of Memphis e-mail account is active.You will be receiving communication from Vicki Murrell, Assistant Dean of Distance Learning; Mary Crites, Distance Education Coordinator; and other technical and Administrative staff via this account.

2. If you have never taught online before, make an appointment with the Advanced Learning Center well before the start of the term to train on eCourseware, the university's course management system. Online tutorials and one-on-one phone sessions are available for out-of-town faculty.

3. Check out the information at the Quality Matters Program (http://qminstitute.org/default.htm) and their rubric for setting up online courses.

4. State a clear policy for communication with your students. Will you check e-mails daily and respond to each individual?  Will you answer a question posed in multiple e-mails via individual e-mails or the discussion board? Stating your policies up front will prevent misunderstandings later. (BTW, best practices for online teaching suggest that you respond to any student communication within in least 48 hours. Please let your students know when they can expect your responses.)

For those teaching RODP courses:

1. Be aware of the due dates for posting non-attendance, final grades, etc.  If you miss the due date for final grades, students are automatically assigned an "F" in their course and you will have to complete a Grade Change form for EACH student in the course in order to correct the grade.

2. Check the RODP Bookstore  to be sure students are ordering the correct text for your course.

3. If you are teaching as an adjunct, you should hear from Elaine Walsh, University College Administrative Assistant, about signing your pay contract by the first day of class. If you have not heard from Elaine by the end of the first day, please contact her at emwalsh@memphis.edu or 901-678-2717.

4. On the first day of class, communicate with each of your students by e-mail. If you have not heard from a student by Friday of the first week of class, notify Mary Crites at mewart@memphis.edu or 901-678-5784.  

   Best practices for online teaching suggest that you respond to any student communication within in least 48 hours. Please let your students know when they can expect your responses.  

For information or assistance with course administration issues, please contact Vicki Murrell at vmurrell@memphis.edu or 901-678-2877. 

For assistance with student issues, please contact Mary Crites at mewart@memphis.edu or 901-678-5784.

For technical issues, please contact the helpdesk at 678-8888, or 1-866-550-7637.