Fall 2021 syllabus templates and resources

Dear Deans, Associate Deans, Department Heads, Fall 2021 instructors, Teaching and Learning and Academic Advising:

Welcome to the Fall 2021 syllabus letter. Please see the Purdue Syllabus Template webpage for Required information that each syllabus must include and some Recommended elements that many faculty choose to add.

Recognizing that Fall 2021 is a transitional semester, with some uncertainties related to COVID-19, we will continue to update teaching and learning resources to help bridge us into the “new normal.”

The Innovative Learning website continues to be the hub for resources to support your teaching. The site combines the expertise and support of IMPACT, the Center for Instructional Excellence, Libraries and School of Information Studies, and Purdue Online. The Innovative Learning team is available to answer questions by emailing innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu. The IL website includes several documents that can be found on the Teaching and Learning section (we recommend bookmarking it):

-- under “The Protect Purdue Classroom” heading of the website, are updated resources on topics such as: communication related to isolation/quarantine, and health and safety training.

The Protect Purdue website is updated as guidance and data become available; and curated on the Essential Purdue Guidance webpage (another recommended bookmark).

The Office of the Provost website is another helpful resource for instructors teaching in Fall 2021, particularly a recording of the most recent Provost Conversation: Protect Purdue -- Fall Plans held on July 26 (BoilerKey two-factor authentication required). And watch your in-box for the monthly Momentum web letter.

As you prepare your syllabi and course Brightspace shells, please keep in mind the #1 ask from students is for instructors to put dates on all assignments and events, and use Brightspace to organize these dates into calendars for students. This step, along with an introduction to how your class is organized and will work in Brightspace, might be two of the most important things you can do for student success. There are many resources to assist in designing an effective Brightspace:

-- The Purdue Brightspace website includes a section on Workshops and Training, and Documentation with guides for both Instructors and Students, on topics ranging from creating assignments to grading assignments to course administration. For example, you can find a guide called “Open and Close Your Course” in the course administration area of this page. This is particularly relevant as all instructors must make their course active at the beginning of each semester.

-- Before the first day of your class, please open your course in Brightspace and send an initial communication to students pointing them to the course syllabus.

-- A TLT calendar is regularly updated with workshops and drop-ins to assist with Brightspace and other instructional technologies.

When complete, please upload your syllabi to Course Insights, which can be found under the Faculty tab of myPurdue. This feature makes it easy for faculty to make their syllabi available to the University community, including students.

--If you are new to Purdue, be sure you have completed your COVID-19 Protect Purdue employee training in Success Factors.

-- Please go to the Faculty tab at MyPurdue for important information on your courses and your students, including your course roster and “preferred name” list. Log in using your BoilerKey two-factor authentication and be sure that your FERPA certification is updated.

-- If your course involves an industry-sponsored class project, procedures have been developed for handling the agreements, payments, and intellectual property rights. Please review the specifics at the Sponsored Student Class Projects and Capstone Projects webpage.

--If you are not sure where to refer students for personal, academic, or financial assistance, send them to the ODOS Student Support Services website for contact information and hours.

-- If you have technology questions, need assistance navigating an instructional technology platform, or would like additional virtual tools to help enhance student learning, request a Technology Advocate. This program can be a huge help to you and can be an excellent resource as incoming students transition from high school learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) to Brightspace.

We will continue to email regular updates and responses to your questions and suggestions. Please watch your Purdue email for the subject heading: “Teaching and Learning.”