Video classroom with instructor and students

Teach a WMU Essential Studies Course

Information for instructors or faculty currently teaching a WMU Essential Studies course or who plan on teaching one in the future.

Responsibilities

Whether you’re teaching a WMU Essential Studies course for the first time or preparing for another semester, these resources can help you connect your course to the program’s student learning outcomes. Use the guidance below to plan your course, incorporate assessment into your teaching and report student learning at the end of the semester.

Read About WMU Essential Studies and Tips for a Successful WMU Essential Studies Course Proposal for background information.
Watch the video “The Why and How of WMU Essential Studies” for background knowledge.
Look at the WMU Essential Studies Interactive Model to learn more about where your course fits in WMU Essential Studies. Check level and category.
Ask your chair to give you the master syllabus and assessment plan for your course.
Learn more about the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and WMU Essential Studies Outcome Rubrics. Download as needed.
Plan your course using the master syllabus and assessment plan. Peruse the WMU Essential Studies Handbook to help with planning.
Decide on assignments to support the assessment plan.
Go to your E-Learning site and find your WMU Essential Studies Assessment. It will be preloaded in the “Grading” section of your shell after Census.
Contact the Instructional Technology Center for tech questions.
Email the WMU Essential Studies Director with curricular questions.

Teach and assess students according to your assessment plan.

Fill in the WMU Essential Studies assessment that is included in your E-Learning shell. Try to complete this assessment during Final Exam Week.
If you have questions, visit Directions on how to enter Student Learning Outcomes rubric numbers or video.
If you have a large class, read/watch Directions on how to enter Student Learning Outcomes for large classes or video.
Contact Harold Watkins with WMU Essential Studies assessment in E-Learning questions.

Resources

The Why and How of WMU Essential Studies WMU Essential Studies Handbook

FAQs

Have additional questions? Visit the Faculty Senate’s WMU Essential Studies FAQs for guidance on timelines, proposal forms, required materials, course changes and appeals.

Where should I go to get started with planning to teach a WMU Essential Studies course?

Visit the WMU Essential Studies Website to begin researching WMU Essential Studies and how to plan to teach a WMU Essential Studies course.

How should I decide if I am teaching a “large class”? Is there a cut-off?

The decision of what constitutes a “large class” is up to the instructor. You can decide whether or not you want to use the large class option to complete the WMU Essential Studies assessment. Email Harold Watkins to change to a large course option. The large course option is a term we use when an instructor wants to automate their assessment through an assignment.

It is after Census, and I don’t see WMU Essential Studies assessment in my E-Learning shell, or the wrong assessment is there. What should I do?

Please contact Harold Watkins to get help with adding WMU Essential Studies to your E-Learning shell.

When should I complete the E-Learning assessment?

It is recommended that you complete the E-Learning assessment of your WMU Essential Studies course during Final Exam Week.

Does WMU Essential Studies assessment affect my students’ grades in the course?

No, the WMU Essential Studies assessment does not affect students’ grades. The data is used for programmatic assessment and improvement.

Who should I contact with questions about teaching a WMU Essential Studies course?

You can contact your chair or the WMU Essential Studies Director.

Email the WMU Essential Studies Director with questions

Teach a WMU Essential Studies Course

Responsibilities

Before the semester: Plan your course

During the semester: Teach and assess

At the end of the semester: Report assessment results

Resources

FAQs