Wondering about what to include on your syllabus, how to file an academic integrity form, what an honors option is, or where to find rules about offering extra credit for research participation? Consult the handbooks and materials listed here, and see the alpha index below for topics that instructors most frequently inquire about. If we have missed something that you are looking for, let us know, and we will add it to the page: learning@ist.psu.edu.
Systems
Canvas: Learning Management System
Share your course materials, syllabus, and assignment due dates with students through Canvas.
LionPATH: Academic Records System
Record end-of-semester grades in LionPATH, and review details about your students on your course list.
Starfish: Advising System
Follow prompts each semester (which come via email) to indicate whether students are succeeding or not in your course.
- StarFish launch page
- How to Use Starfish guides
Schedule of Courses and Academic Calendar
University Bulletins
- Undergraduate Bulletin of Programs and Courses
- Graduate Bulletin of Programs and Courses
- How to Use the Bulletin videos
University Policy Handbooks
- Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (alphabetical)
- University Undergraduate Advising Handbook
Index of Policies and Procedures
Academic Integrity
- University Policy
- University Procedures if you suspect cheating or plagiarism
- College of IST Academic Integrity webpage
- Suggested sanctions for different offenses
- Modules for students on Academic Integrity
- Turnitin Information
- See below for more information on Plagiarism
Attendance in Class
- University Policy
- Procedures for dealing with students who miss class
- Procedures on religious observances
Confidentiality
Copyright
- Policies, Guidelines, Laws
- TEACH Act (Law specifying conditions under which educational institutions may use copyrighted materials)
- Downloading music
- Downloading antivirus and other protective software
- Learn how to protect yourself from virus, spyware, phishing scams, and other threats
- Legal Media
- Copyright Perspectives
Disability Resources
- Office of Student Disability Resources: Suggestions for faculty, FAQ’s, Syllabus statement
- Office of Student Disability Resources: Information for Students
- College of IST Student Disability Resources Guide
- Academic Adjustment Letter – Sample (students who have documented disabilities should give this to their faculty members)
- Instructor’s Exam Cover Page-College of IST (Word Version) (Electronic Version) (College of IST instructors who wish to schedule an exam room in the College of IST for students who need extra time for exams should complete this form)
- Consideration Adjustment Document (instructor and student agreement form for students with consideration adjustments listed on their academic adjustment letter)
- Directions for extending the time on a Canvas quiz (to satisfy extended time accommodations for learning disabilities)
Distressed Students
- Worrisome Student Behaviors – videos and discussion of how to handle
- Office of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Community Crisis Line (24/7) Phone Number for hours after CAPS is closed
Drop/Add/Late Drop
Extra credit for students participating in research studies
- Institutional Review Board guidelines for inviting students enrolled in your class to participate in research (see #3)
Final Exams
- The final exam policy set by faculty senate states that final assignments that are worth more than 10% of the course grade must be scheduled within the official final exam period
Grades
Honors options
- Course requirements and examples on the Schreyer Honors College webpage
- Honors information on the IST webpage
Online Course Preparation
Penn State Principles
Plagiarism
- Procedures if you suspect plagiarism
- Turnitin (web-based plagiarism detection service—PSU subscribes)
- How to recognize plagiarism
SRTE (Student Evaluations of Teaching Effectiveness)
Syllabus
- University policy on what must be included
- Faculty Senate examples of syllabus text
- Consider addressing the following (to avoid unpleasant and time-consuming surprises in your course): Policies on absences, excuses, make-ups, class participation, teams (e.g., resolving conflict, firing team members, trading team members)
- Additional considerations (see Syllabus section in Faculty Handbook, near page 33)
- Boilerplate and syllabus regulations
- Syllabus Checklist