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Northern Illinois University

First-Year Experience & Orientation

UNIV Instructors

UNIV 101/201 Instructors

Instructor Overview Sessions

To learn more about the UNIV 101/201 instructor position before applying, please attend one of the following overview sessions:

  • Monday, March 3, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.- Holmes Student Center 306
  • Thursday, April 3, 3:00 – 4:30p.m. – Holmes Student Center Illinois room

Click here for application


Completed applications may be e-mailed (firstconn@niu.edu), faxed (753-7480), or returned to Scott Peska, 023 HSC-basement level, DeKalb , IL 60115 .

Selection Process

Applicants Must:

  • Be current or retired members of the NIU faculty, staff, or administration;
  • Have completed a master's degree;
  • Have prior teaching experience (college or high school);
  • Attend the required instructor development workshops and overview (new instructors only);
  • Attend a First-Year Connections/UNIV department meeting in August.

Teaching Philosophy

As part of the new instructor application, we require that you describe your own individual teaching philosophy. Below is the teaching philosophy of Scott Peska, Assistant Director of First-Year Experience & Orientation-
First Year Connections
I believe that students learn through being engaged and involved in the subject matter. Students should feel encouraged about their ability to think, learn, and perform in a learning environment that is supportive and filled with enthusiasm for the subject matter. For this to occur, students need to see the connection between the subject matter and how they can apply it in their daily lives.

As a UNIV 101 instructor I feel it is important to have:

  • Planned learning experiences using a variety of formats to address different learning styles;
  • Flexibility to adjust plans according to the individuals and needs of the class;
  • Excitement and enthusiasm for the learning process and the first-year experience;
  • An open, inviting disposition that encourages students to connect with the instructor on an individual basis
  • Confidence in one's teaching style allowing for students to make mistakes in a learning environment that is both challenging and supportive.

Additional information on teaching philosophies:

http://www.celt.iastate.edu/teaching/philosophy.html

http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/resources/developphilosophy.html

http://www.lll.hawaii.edu/sltcc/tipps/philosophy.html

http://ftad.osu.edu/portfolio/philosophy/Philosophy.html

Other examples of teaching philosophies:

http://www.prm.nau.edu/hammersley/philosophy.htm

http://www.ctl.sas.upenn.edu/tools/aaron.html

http://www.purselipsquarejaw.org/teaching.html

Expectations of UNIV 101/201 instructors:

  • UNIV 101/201 instructors are required to teach the entire 12 weeks of the course (16 weeks for CHANCE sections). * No sections are to end prior to the twelfth week ending November 14, 2008. All sections should have a minimum of 900 contact minutes. Also, instructors will need to plan at least 2 office hours each week when students can meet with them.
  • Instructors will submit a copy of their course syllabus to the coordinators by August 11, 2008. The coordinators reserve the right to request that the syllabus be amended prior instruction. A sample syllabus will be made available. All syllabi must include:
    • Instructor contact information;
    • Course objectives;
    • Required materials;
    • Class policies and procedures (e.g., grading, attendance).
  • While course content and activities will vary to some degree from section to section, all course activity must reflect the objectives of UNIV 101/201 and be appropriate for a one credit-hour course. Also, each section of UNIV 101/201 must incorporate the following into its requirements:
    • E-mail contact with instructors using the NIU student e-mail system;
    • An individual conference between the instructor and each student;
    • Reflective writing assignments;
    • In-class discussion;
    • Student participation in campus activities;
    • Teaching students how to access and use Blackboard course management tools
      • More information about required and suggested course content and activities will be provided at training workshops and department meetings.
  • Instructors will assess student performance using the university's letter grading system. Peer Instructors are not to assign or maintain assignment or course grades.
  • All sections must use the NIU Essentials for Success customized textbook, the Undergraduate Catalog , and the Student Handbook, and require that students use an a cademic planner (we recommend the NIU Academic Planner ) . If an instructor wishes to require additional materials they must first gain approval by the course coordinators.
  • Instructors must participate in the course evaluation process. Course and instructor evaluations are completed by students near the end of the course and are carefully reviewed by the UNIV coordinators. Each instructor will receive information about the results of the evaluations for his or her section. This information may be shared with the instructor's supervisor(s) and will be used in making future decisions about involvement with UNIV.
  • Instructors must agree to abide by Northern's academic policies and procedures.
  • Instructors will keep the course coordinators informed of emergency and critical situations involving UNIV 101/201 students and classroom encounters.
  • All instructors agree to read the weekly newsletter and respond to requests in a timely manner.

  Click here for application