The University of Florida provides examples of best practices in teaching, support services, and policies for instructors.

The following are links to resources that are helpful for faculty, adjuncts and teaching assistants at the University of Florida. Topics are listed in alphabetical order. If you are teaching at another university, be sure to identify similar resources for your school.

Your college or university wants you to be successful as a teacher and will provide resources, such as teaching workshops.

Campus map

Canvas user guides

Center for Teaching Excellence – Providing resources for both faculty and teaching assistants for face-to-face and online teaching.

Class meeting times  

Classroom Support – Assistance with classroom technology, such as overhead projector. You also can have virtual tour of the large auditoriums on campus.

Classroom Technology guides

Course Catalog – Descriptions of each course and explanation of degree requirements for different majors.

Course Reserve – Explanation of how to place course materials on reserve with the Smathers Library.

Disability Resource Center – Most new teaching assistants and new faculty are unfamiliar with the role of the Disability Resource Center for providing assistance for students with documented learning disabilities and physical limitations. You will receive notification from the DRC of students who have requested accommodations. You will want to meet privately with each student to discuss accommodations. If you are a teaching assistant, you should discuss the student’s situation with your supervisor.

e-Learning Support Services – Includes links to log on to UF’s courseware management (Canvas), Qualtrics and to lynda.com, which UF students and faculty can access for free.

First Generation Student Success – Learn about the support UF provides for First Generation college students.

Grading policies – UF has policies on when letter grades are awarded, incompletes, S/U (satisfactory/unsatisfactory), and when tests can’t be given.

Honor Code – Students at UF are required to sign an Honor Code pledge. I find it useful to remind students of this pledge throughout the semester (especially when we’re having exams and graded assignments).

International Center – Learn about Study Abroad, resources and awards for international activities, and scholarships for international students.

Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution – UF has a process for dealing with academic dishonesty issues, such as cheating on a test or plagiarism. You need to make sure that your syllabus includes a reference to the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution website, so students realize that UF has a process and that academic dishonesty has serious consequences.

Syllabi – UF requires all faculty to post their syllabi (or syllabuses, as the AP Stylebook would advocate) prior to the start of each semester. Here is the page with links to all the UF syllabi for the semester.

Syllabi policies – UF provides guidelines about what should be included in your syllabus. Including this information helps you be pro-active as a teacher, as you have to determine what your policies are for important issues like making up missed work, tardies to class, etc. Including this information in your syllabus can help you have a reference when dealing with student questions and issues.

Teaching Assistant Handbook – Helpful strategies and advice on a wide range of teaching issues — from leading discussions and teaching labs to taking advantage of campus resources.

Teaching Policies – Policies including academic honesty, accommodations for students with disabilities, attendance, student assessment of courses and instructors, and textbook adoption.

Teaching Workshop Registration – The Teaching Center offers a range of workshops throughout the school year that are helpful to teaching assistants.

Textbook Adoption – UF requires faculty to submit their textbook adoptions in advance to enable students to have time to seek cost-effective options.

Writing Studio (University Writing Program) – A resource for graduate students and faculty who would like assistance with their professional writing. You are advised to make an appointment in advance.