Welcome and congratulations on your position with the University of Windsor. We are very happy to share with you some available teaching support resources.
The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) focuses on the support of teaching and learning at the University of Windsor. Learning Specialists are available to answer your teaching and learning questions and provide support. Questions regarding teaching and learning beyond the use of Brightspace can be sent to ctl@uwindsor.ca.
This page is a new resource that we are continuously improving. If you have any feedback, please email us at ctl@uwindsor.ca.
Getting Started
You can use the Sessional Instructors Onboarding Checklist, to help you get successfully onboarded and started in your new role. Download the checklist as a PDF or Word Document.
- Ensure you have an Employee Number and UWinID.
Note: If you do not have a UWinID yet because your contract hasn’t officially started, early access to your UWin Account, systems, training, and your course site can be provided so you can prepare for the start of the term, but the request must come from the instructor’s supervisor or the departmental administrative personnel. - If you are having difficulty accessing any support (e.g. logging in and submitting a Service Request due to the fact that you don't have a user ID), please submit a ticket.
- Check that your contract has been processed and that all your recorded information is correct by visiting My UWinfo.
- Get started with your technology needs with IT Services.
- University of Windsor uses Microsoft 365 apps for its email, virtual meeting software, and office productivity tools. Teams is the virtual classroom for online classes and office hours (although some departments may support other tools).
Microsoft 365 Apps (Tips for using Microsoft 365 Groups, Teams and Stream for courses) - Learn about the Conditional Access security requirements and how to ensure your device meets them.
- Software Depot to access SPSS and other programs
- Review University of Windsor’s Policies and Procedures
- Know where to find Academic Policies and Bylaws, when you need them
- Find important dates and events using the Academic Calendar
- Use the UWindsor Directory to search for faculty/staff contact information
- Become familiar with Commonly Used Acronyms
- Find your way around campus with the campus map
- Review the Campus Community Network for services, supports, and departments (such as the Office of the Registrar and ITS Audio Visual) that may help you in your work at UWindsor
Getting Ready to Teach
Getting Ready to Teach Online
- Visit Teaching Online where you will find resources, developed by our teams, to support instructors in teaching and learning online.
Brightspace Workshops and Support
Brightspace is the learning management system used at the University of Windsor. Instructors can sign up for one or more online interactive workshops to explore themes and functionality available on Brightspace to support student learning.
- Upcoming Brightspace Workshops
- Recent webinars include the most important topics a Sessional Instructor might need to know regarding using Brightspace.
- Brightspace Help for Instructors
- Visit the Brightspace Drop-in for one-on-one help, either virtually through Teams or in person in the CTL offices.
- Submit a Brightspace Ticket
- Email brightspace@uwindsor.ca for course design or other Brightspace help
Planning and Managing Your Course
Creating Your Course
- Find your program and course senate approved learning outcomes using the Curriculum Mapping tool (CuMa). Instructions for using CuMa.
- Resources for Course Planning
- Lesson Plan templates
- Course Planning and Redesign
- Syllabus/Course outline faculty/department templates
- Academic Integrity
- Grading and Assessment Criteria
Course Material
- Campus Bookstore Email 2964txt@follett.com with book title, ISBN and course name and code to place a textbook order.
- Leddy Library. Instructions for using Leddy's Course Reserves
- Copyright Guidelines & Requirements
Accessibility
Teaching Development Support
- Teaching Observations
- Teaching Resources
- Centre for Teaching and Learning workshops (e.g., Teaching and Learning Series, Instructional Skills Workshop,)
- University Teaching Certificate (includes courses in course design, teaching practices, leadership, scholarship, and assessment)
- Windsor University Faculty Association (WUFA)- Information for Sessionals
- Office of Open Learning
- Professional Development through HR
- Tuition Waiver for University of Windsor course
- University of Windsor – Teaching and Learning grants
- R.7 Information Technology and Professional Development Assistance Account Grant
- Other internal grants and funding
Support for Your Teaching Assistants
- The GATA Network offers large-scale professional development events to current and prospective GAs/TAs.