For Faculty

Information that's tailored just for you!

Faculty and Student Learning Services (SLS) work together for student success in a number of ways. Below you will find tools for raising student awareness of the services available to them in SLS, ideas for encouraging students to take advantage of these services, and information on collaborating with Learning Strategists.

Add information about SLS to your course outline/syllabus.

 

Updates for Fall 2024

 

NEW! MLA Referencing Tutorial on D2L (coming soon)

This self-paced 90-minute tutorial covers the same content as our live workshop—why citation is important along with the basics of in-text citations and works cited entries in MLA Style. Students who complete the tutorial will gain access to a form they can fill out and submit as proof of completion.

 

Academic Success Workshops and D2L Tutorials

Students may have completed workshops or one of the D2L tutorials for credit in the fall. Please allow students flexibility to choose different workshop topics if you plan to offer an incentive for participating. Students may hesitate to ask whether they have the option to choose a session that's not listed in your course outline, so let them know if they have a choice.

Below are some ideas on how to incentivize their participation:

  • offer a few bonus marks (e.g., 2 workshops for 1.5% each)
  • give favourable consideration in case a student finishes the semester on the cusp of a higher letter grade
  • offer the opportunity to revise and resubmit an assignment, and ask them to indicate what they revised based on their learning
  • give extra credit for a quiz
  • drop the lowest quiz mark

Academic Integrity Training on D2L
  • To help students learn more about academic integrity, invite them to complete the online training module. Students can enroll in the training here.
  • For students reported for academic misconduct and who would benefit from academic integrity-related learning, see this curated list of recommended SLS services for support.

 

Help students maximize their learning! Refer them to our resources page to find tips, tools, and templates on learning, writing, presentations, and more.  

  

Learning Strategists

  • Show this slide in class. When instructors recommend our services, it makes a significant difference to student uptake.
  • Encourage students who would benefit from one-on-one support to book appointments with a Learning Strategist. Students can book up to two 30-minute appointments per week - for free.
Academic Success Workshop Series:

  • Consider offering an incentive for participation in a defined number of Academic Success Workshops. We are happy to brainstorm options with you! Incentives instructors have used in the past include
    • a few bonus marks (e.g., 2 workshops for 1.5% each)
    • favourable consideration in case a student finishes the semester on the cusp of a higher letter grade
    • the opportunity to resubmit an assignment
    • extra credit for a quiz
    • drop the lowest quiz mark
  • Registration is required.
  • Proof of participation: students fill out the Reflection & Participation Google form (designed to take approx. 15 min. to complete) after a workshop. When a student submits their form, they will automatically receive a copy of their answers via email. They can forward this email to you as proof of participation.

Our team at Student Learning Services is moving from accepting new individual course/instructor requests to working more holistically with an academic program to increase the impact and reach for students and make the most of resources. The Program Integration Initiative will focus on collaborating with academic programs to tailor supports for their students within a strategic, integrated framework of service. By aligning Peer Learning Program and Learning Strategist services more closely with program outcomes and coordinating with faculty to scaffold our services from the first year to graduation, we can strategically meet students' needs and support the work of faculty.

We look forward to meeting with your department and working with chairs, course coordinators and faculty to discuss ideas about scaffolding SLS supports throughout your program.

 

Peer Learning Program - Course-Specific Support

Students looking for support from a Learning Peer can register for help starting on the first day of class each semester.
  • Encourage students to register early for the best chance of getting help.
  • Help them understand the program better by showing this short video in class.
  • On your Brightspace site, include a link to the online registration at mru.ca/PLP.
  • Show this slide in class.
  • Wondering if we have Learning Peers for your course? Contact us directly at PLP@mtroyal.ca.

Do you know a strong student who would make a great Learning Peer? Suggest that they add their name to our list at mru.ca/PLP.

Our Learning Peers are:
  • Current MRU students in a credit program with a B+ or higher in the course(s) they support.
  • Friendly, respectful and professional leaders with strong interpersonal communication skills.
  • Facilitators of active learning who complete at least ten hours of certified training.

Do you know students who would make excellent Learning Peers?
Recruitment takes place in March of each year, but students can add their name to our contact list at any time (mru.ca/PLP). Successful applicants begin facilitating sessions the following semester, after attending training.

During the fall and winter semesters, students can register with the PLP to be matched (whenever possible) with a trained peer for regular, weekly sessions (1 hour/week minimum) in their course of choice. Students usually work in small groups to review and practice course content while learning effective study habits.

Student Learning Services' Peer Learning Program (PLP) provides peer support to help students achieve their academic goals by becoming more effective self-directed learners. It also offers Learning Peers (LPs) a volunteer leadership opportunity that enables them to participate in an on-campus community while building skills necessary for success in their future careers.

Learn more at mru.ca/PLP.

    Download this summary of the Peer Learning Program.

 

 

SLS_phone2 403-440-6452 SLS email2 SLS@mtroyal.ca SLS person2 Room-EL2100