Delivery (Teaching) Open-Entry Courses

Along with the terms defined in teaching contracts, here are some important policies to keep in mind when teaching an open-entry course.  More information can be found under Open Entry Course Info.

Permission to Take an Online Course
Full-time UNB and STU students cannot take an open-entry course in the fall or winter terms without their advisor's permission and that of the dean of the faculty offering the course. No permission is required for full-time UNB and STU students taking a course during Summer term (May through August).

Administrative support
The staff of UNB Online (online@unb.ca) provides administrative support for course delivery, including course setup, coordination with the Registrar’s Office, dealing with registrations issues, sending introductory letters to students, monitoring the exam process, processing extension requests, instructor payments, etc.

Initial communications with students
Using an automated system through Datatel, online students receive a welcome letter shortly after registering. The letter provides information about the course, some important dates and policies, how to set up their IT services, etc.

Turn-around time
Ensure that you provide prompt feedback to student inquiries. A turn-around of two working days is expected. Likewise, process student work and provide feedback in a timely fashion. Other useful tips can be found under Best Practices.

Final exams
If a final exam is required in your course, then it must be invigilated.
Students are required to submit an Online Exam Request Form at least two weeks prior to the desired exam date. Students living outside the Fredericton area need to find an invigilator who must then be approved by UNB Online. If used, exam passwords must be provided to the exam coordinator at exams@unb.ca. Questions related to the exam process can be sent to that same address.

Requests for Extension
Students should submit requests for a course extension directly to their instructor, as it is the instructor’s responsibility—and discretion—to approve such requests. The default extension period is two weeks to one month. Under extenuating circumstances, this period may be extended to two months but must be supported with medical documentation.

Submitting grades
Once a student has completed an online course, you have three weeks to submit the final grade to the Registrar’s Office at grades@unb.ca with copy to online@unb.ca. Late submissions will result in an automatic ‘F’ on the student records, which can be amended once a grade has been submitted. It is recommended to deny access to the course to students whose grade has been submitted.

Start and end dates
The start and end dates of term-based online courses coincide with those of regular classes, and are subject to the same policies as those courses.

Part-time students can enroll at any time of the year in open-entry courses. In such cases, the start date is the day that the student pays.
Full-time students at UNB and STU must register in September for the Fall term and in January for the Winter term, and need permission (as noted above). Students have six months to complete all requirements for open-entry courses, including the final exam (for a 3-ch course). They have twelve months to complete a 6-ch course.

Payments for instruction
Instructors teaching term-based online courses and compensated through a regular teaching stipend shall be paid through payroll as per normal practice. Those teaching open-entry courses shall be paid on a per- student basis every time a student’s final mark has been submitted. Such payments are processed on a monthly basis, their value is determined as per the terms outlined in the teaching contract.

Course updates
Major updates to online courses must be discussed and coordinated with the head of your academic unit and with UNB Online. This may require an amendment to your existing contract or a new contract altogether.

Student evaluations
Once their grades have been submitted, students should be encouraged by their instructors to fill the anonymous online evaluation form. Results are forwarded to UNB Online, a summary (anonymous) of which is available upon request.
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The above policies are also available in a PDF document:
Course Delivery (teaching) Checklist.pdf

See also Frequently Asked Questions for details that might not have been covered above.

Need More information?

For more information on course development, curriculum design, program delivery, policies and so on, or to book an appointment to discuss these topics in person, please contact:

Joss Richer
Manager, UNB Online
joss@unb.ca
506-452-6338