You will receive an email from the VPA’s office with dates when course outlines are due in Course Outline Manager (COM). Access COM and the training videos from the link below.

PLEASE NOTE

Samples of possible language to include in your course outline to inform students on your stance regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence such as ChatGPT you can visit this page.

Your Blackboard (Bb) course has already been created for you based on the information in the registration system. The videos available will show you how to copy your old Bb course or build a whole new Bb course if required.

PLEASE NOTE

• Student enrollments in Bb are updated through registration.
• Your Bb course is not available for students until the first scheduled day of class. See Bb Training Videos above to change this setting.

Take a tour of the Library while on campus. Be sure to introduce yourself to the Copyright Officer, Multimedia Desk and/or IT Help Desk staff!

You are required to post your outline in your Bb course, and you can also give out a paper copy if desired. Search for your reviewed course outline and download the PDF.

If you need printed copies of your outline, or copies of a handout or exam, visit the following website to order copies from Duplicating. Upload your document and fill out the order form.

https://stores.pagedna.com/medicine-hat-college/

Make sure you know how to use the technology in your classroom. If you need training or assistance, please contact teaching@mhc.ab.ca

If you need technology that isn’t available in your classroom already, you can book it from the Multimedia desk at the Library or email multimedia@mhc.ab.ca

You may decide to send announcements to your students before the course is made available on the 1st day of classes.

Make sure your links and content is working. Use the student preview to see what your course looks like if you were a student.

You can get a class list using your Blackboard courses. This list can be printed so you can take attendance on the first day of class. You do not need to take attendance each day unless your program requires it, but you should take attendance the first day to ensure the students are properly registered and attending the correct class.

Icebreaker activities help students get to know each other. Review this list of icebreaker activities to get ideas.

Take attendance from your class list.

Review the course outline with the students.

Icebreaker activity (if desired).

Post a Bb Announcement welcoming students to the course.

Students with learning accommodations will send you letters with their accommodations listed. If a student needs exam accommodations, they must schedule the exam with Academic Resource Centre (ARC) and let you know the date/time they will be writing it.

You will have to drop a copy of the exam to ARC (3rd floor above the B-Wing) or email it to exams@mhc.ab.ca with appropriate exam instructions (length of time allowed, can the students bring calculators, notes, textbook, etc.)

• Continue to add content to your Bb course (e.g. presentations, handouts, assignments, etc.)
• Send Announcements to remind students of due dates or any important events.
• Give prompt feedback to students for any assessment items.
• Set up your Bb Grade Center if you haven’t already.

If you have received a letter requesting you to track attendance for a funded student, enter their attendance daily or weekly in the Faculty Portal (instructions will be included with the letter).

You should take attendance a couple of times in the first weeks during the add/drop period to make note of any new students. Email your program’s Academic Advisor the names of students on your list who have not attended any classes so they can follow up.

Ensure all grades are entered in Blackboard Grade Center and enter a “0” grade where assignments were not submitted, or quizzes were not completed.

Send a Bb Announcement reminding students of the final exam date, time & room. Ask students to check their grades in Bb and contact you if there are any discrepancies or questions. Feel free to include additional information about the final exam such as its format, a study guide or review sheet.

If you need to print your final exams, be sure to email your final exam to duplicating@mhc.ab.ca with appropriate details (e.g. double-sided, stapled, etc.)

If you are having an online exam, make sure that the exam, test options and proctoring software (if applicable) are set correctly. Contact CITE if you have any questions or concerns and they can check over your Bb test.

If you have students who write their exams in the ARC, send the exam to exams@mhc.ab.ca with the pertinent information (e.g. time limit, resources students can use in the exam, etc.)

Ensure the students know your expectations and the rules for final exams. Some common rules are:

• No talking during the exam (it seems obvious, but you still need to say it).
• You cannot listen to music during the exam (or if you are OK with it then say that they can listen to music)
• All cell phones must be turned off (not just in silent mode).
• Only 1 person at a time may go to the washroom.
• You may have snacks if you are quiet. Alternatively, let students know if there is no food or drink allowed.
• You can only write on the paper provided to you and all paper must be submitted to your instructor at the end of class. If you allow this, remember to bring extra paper and pencils.

If you are using an online exam, track that students have submitted their exam as they leave the room.

If you have a paper exam, ensure students have written their name on the exam paper when handing them in.

After entering final exam grades into Bb Grade Centre, send an announcement to students advising them that final grades are posted and to contact you ASAP if there are any questions or concerns. This step may save you from later having to make a grade adjustment that the dean must sign.

Submit final grades on the Faculty Portal within 4 consecutive days (including weekends) of the final exam.