There are several things you will need to do to prepare for the start of class. Click the tabs below for a brief explanation and guidance on how to get ready for day one.
The following Canvas Course Checklist can be used to help you prepare your course(s) for the start of the semester.
Questions regarding the course checklist may be directed to the Center for Academic Innovation at facdev@otc.edu or 417-447-4800.
To register for the Campus Alert Text Messaging System, sign into MyOTC, click on the helpful resources tab on the side menu, click on OTC Emergency Notification, and add a new phone number.
The OTC Campus Alert System may use any or all of the following methods to communicate with students, faculty and staff in the event of an urgent situation on campus, such as class cancellations, campus closings, severe weather, emergencies or campus/center security incidents:
- The Alert box on the OTC home page
- Text Messaging System
- Campus Phone Notifications
- Voicemail
- Posters/Flyers
- Media
For questions or concerns about public safety or public information communication, please contact the Public Information Office at 417-447-2659.
The course abstract includes the course title, number, number of credit hours and course objectives. Instructors will use this information to develop their syllabus and to ensure they are meeting course objectives. Use this information to develop the syllabus and to ensure course objectives are met. Please follow these instructions for locating and downloading the most current course abstract for your course(s).
Questions regarding course abstracts may be directed to the Academic Affairs office at academics@otc.edu.
OTC provides a syllabus management system with template information to every semester for use as a guide in the development of a syllabus for your course(s), regardless of mode of delivery (hybrid, online and seated). It is encouraged that you modify the content in the template to personalize your syllabus to match your teaching approach and aesthetic.
Visit the Syllabus web page to learn how to work with the syllabus management system.
Questions regarding the syllabus template may be directed to the Academic Services office at weaverm@otc.edu. or 417-447-8114.
The OTC Bookstore booklist page details the textbooks for your course. Over 85% of OTC courses utilize digital course materials including eBooks or publisher learning platforms. Many of these are delivered to students through either OpenOTC or AutoAccess. If your course participates in AutoAccess, you will receive an email from the OTC Bookstore prior to the start of the semester with additional information. If your course materials require “pairing” between Canvas and the publisher’s website, additional information will be provided.
It is recommended you reach out to your department chair to verify the textbook details and confirm the process for obtaining an instructor copy.
For questions regarding textbooks, contact the OTC Bookstore at bookstore@otc.edu or call 417-447-6620. Questions about digital course materials can be directed to autoaccess@otc.edu.
Service and Support
OTC provides a number of faculty services and support that are available year-round. Click the tabs below for a brief explanation of each.
OTC employees and students are expected to report all incidents of student behavior that are atypical, irregular, or concerning to the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT). Additionally, OTC employees and students should refer students who are experiencing concerning or challenging circumstances to the Student Care Team (SCT). Lastly, OTC employees and students can request resources for students through the SCT as well.
Please visit the Student Care Team page to access all referral and report forms that can be submitted to the BIT and SCT.
The following behaviors and concerning circumstances are the most common reasons employees and students submit reports and referrals to the BIT and SCT:
- Repeated classroom disruption (after classroom management techniques have been exhausted)
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- Yelling or being excessively loud
- Distracting other students
- Refusing to leave or cooperate
- Destruction of property
- Not complying with instructions
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- Under the Influence of Substances
- Aggressive, threatening, or violent words/actions
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- Acts of physical aggression
- Threats of violence
- Expressions of anger/agitation/inability to cope
- Mention of violence as a way to solve problems
- Hostility, lack of empathy
- Aggressive statements/threats through social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
- Acts motivated by hatred or discrimination
- Harassment or bullying
- Stalking
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- Articulation of depression, hopelessness, or harm
- Bringing weapons to campus (e.g. gun on person or in automobile, knives with blades longer than 2.5 inches)
- Writings that convey clear intentions to harm self or others
- Observed self-injurious behavior (cutting, burning, etc.)
- Excessive class absenteeism
- Paranoia
- Excessive hygiene concerns
- Reports of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault
- Extreme changes in personality
- Suicidal behaviors, including threats (“I’m going to kill myself.”), gestures (giving away belongings, etc.), ideation (“I’ve always thought about killing myself.”) and attempts
- Escalating low-level behaviors
- Life stressors
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- Homeless
- Hungry
- Grief and loss
- Report of being in an unhealthy (including violent) relationship
- Financial concerns
- Legal issues
- Experiencing discrimination
- Pregnant or parenting
- Academic struggles
- Traumatic events (e.g. death in the family, fire, car accident, past trauma)
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If you have a situation that requires immediate attention, please contact the OTC Safety & Security Department at (417) 447-6911.
If you would like to consult with a member of the Student Care Team, please contact:
Joyce Doebler
Dean of Students
Vice Chair, Behavioral Intervention and Student Care Teams
doeblerj@otc.edu
(417) 447-6973
Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) that is used to deliver instruction for online, hybrid, and seated courses at OTC. Every course offered at OTC will have a corresponding Canvas course site.
For training, support, or additional questions regarding Canvas, contact the OTC Online office at online@otc.edu or call 417-447-8200. Additionally, visit the online Canvas Instructor Guide for “how-to” tutorials.
If you need assistance with your computer, phone, software, or classroom technology, the IT Helpdesk can provide service and support. To open a ticket, browse the online Knowledge Base for common questions and answers, or to check office hours, visit the IT Service and Support website.
If you have additional questions or need to open a service or support ticket, you may also contact the Helpdesk at helpdesk@otc.edu or 417-447-7548.
Instructional designers are on staff to provide individualized service and support for course design and development. Whether you are building a course from scratch or in need of a design refresh, instructional designers can assist with your project. Services provided by the instructional design team include:
- Mapping of course learning objectives
- Course design and development
- Course enhancements (visual design, student engagement, accessibility, multimedia)
- Course assessment and revision
For additional questions or to schedule an appointment with an instructional designer, contact the OTC Online office at online@otc.edu or call 417-447-8200.
OTC’s Libraries support student learning by providing access to a variety of high-quality information resources, including scholarly journals, ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming video. They provide help finding and using sources via scheduled research consultations, chat and text message, and of course, drop-in inquiries on the Springfield and Richwood Valley campuses.
OTC Libraries support teaching by providing tutorials on various parts of the research process as well as access to literature on the scholarship of teaching and learning. They are happy to collaborate on the design of research assignments. Librarians also have expertise in OER, copyright and Creative Commons licensing.
If you would like additional information about library resources or have any questions about how the OTC Libraries can support your course, please email libraryref@otc.edu.
The Center for Academic Innovation, located on the Springfield campus, room IC104, provides service to faculty through faculty professional development, instructional technology support, program development and curriculum design, but also offers virtual resource hub, collaborative opportunities, expanded programming and events, course level data analysis, and a creative space for faculty experimentation and innovation.
The Center’s mission is to promote faculty professional development and the sharing and application of effective instructional practices. Our vision is to advance teaching, learning, and student success through academic innovation and collaboration.
For more information about the Center, contact facdev@otc.edu or call 417-447-4800.
If you would like to share and learn with faculty colleagues, consider requesting membership to the OTC Faculty Facebook group. Here you can ask questions, post on topics related to teaching and learning, and receive technical help, sometimes even after hours when the college is closed. This group is only available to OTC faculty and support staff.