Course Participation Faculty Resources

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Leave Class During Sensitive Discussions

Depending on the nature of the discussion in class, the student may need to leave the classroom either for a few moments or for the remainder of the class session. It is the student's responsibility to meet with you about the material or content during these periods.

Pushing boundaries for student growth can be an exciting challenge in higher education. If you have a topic that may elicit an intense emotional response, it may be beneficial to indicate in advance to prepare the student. The discussion topics may include graphic descriptions of violent crimes, sexual violence, abuse, veterans & war, mental illness, racism, automobile accidents, or natural disasters.

Remember that the campus has Counselors available and the students can make an appointment on the third floor of Parks Student Union.

Delayed Answer

This student has a great deal of difficulty coming up with an answer if they are called upon suddenly in class. They understand that this may be an important component of some classes. In these instances, it would be helpful for instructors to call upon them with a question and then come back to them in a few minutes for their answer.

Early Access to Assignments

This student requires early access to assignment details to reduce the effects of their barriers. This includes items such as assignment modules in Canvas, grading rubrics for upcoming assignments or other information regarding assignment instructions.

Early access to assignments gives some students:

  • Ability to work ahead to reduce the impact of unpredictable health conditions.
  • Ability to pace their work load.
  • Ensuring ample time for understanding and completion.
  • Eliminate or reduce missed due dates.

The CDS Office recommends that assignments are available for this student at least One (1) Week before it is due, but we recognize that every course is different. It is important to communicate with the student about your course to determine how much time is appropriate.

CDS regularly receives requests for Extended Deadlines on Homework. While we must consider every accommodation request made by a student, it is very rare for us to approve a blanket request for Extended Deadlines on Homework. In addition, there is a risk of this snowballing on students, assignment deadline extensions can disrupt teaching by forcing a faculty member to postpone discussion of an otherwise completed assignment while it is still fresh in the minds of the rest of the class. That arguably fundamentally alters the course and imposes an undue burden. For this reason, if the barrier is compelling, we may opt for Early Access as a better solution to reducing the barrier for a student.

As the instructor, you know your course structure best and can work directly with the student in appropriate pacing. If you have questions or want to discuss what this might look like in your course, please contact the CDS Office.

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