Thank you for volunteering your time and expertise to teach a class for OLLI at WVU. Our volunteer instructors are the backbone of the program. We appreciate the effort you put into your classes. We have created the following policies and procedures to help provide the best possible experiences for both our members and instructors, but they can’t necessarily answer everything. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the OLLI office.
Communications
If you are new to teaching for OLLI, an instructor account will be set up for you in OLLI registration software, AuguSoft Lumens (wvusph-olli.augusoft.net). You will also receive an email from OLLI at West Virginia University (olli@hsc.wvu.edu) with your username and password for the software.
When your course is created in the software, you will receive an email notice with instructions on how to access AuguSoft Lumens, which contains your course roster and gives you the ability to send emails to the members enrolled in your course.
Please use this system for emails that you wish to send to the members enrolled in your course so that the OLLI office has access to the same information both for preparing for your class, and so we can pass it along to any members without email.
Copies of Handouts
Many OLLI members appreciate having some type of handout for classes so they don’t have to worry about taking notes and missing parts of the presentation. If the instructor is willing, OLLI suggests providing a syllabus, outline of materials covered, and/or a copy of a Powerpoint or presentation. Please note it is not mandatory.
In an effort to conserve paper and reduce waste, we ask that instructors email course materials to those enrolled and to the OLLI office. Electronic versions of handouts are useful to students who need larger print documents. Students may also choose to print handouts or follow along on a computer or tablet. Those who wish to have printed copies but cannot print at home can request them from the OLLI office. Please contact the OLLI office if you need assistance sending handouts to your class.
Please note that OLLI must obey copyright restrictions. If you have questions about how much is allowed, please call the office at 304-293-1793 for guidance.
Arriving to Teach
Instructors are asked to arrive (or log in on Zoom) 15 to 20 minutes before the class starts to be sure presentation materials work seamlessly on our equipment. They are invited to come to OLLI the week prior, at any time the classrooms are empty, to test their presentation and materials.
During the Class
Classrooms at the Mountaineer Mall are equipped with microphones for the instructor and class members. Because some members have hearing difficulties, instructors are required to use a microphone when teaching unless not possible. When participating in a hybrid class, members must use a microphone when making a comment or asking a question so members participating via Zoom will be able to hear what is being said. If someone makes a comment or asks a question without using the microphone, please repeat the comment/question.
OLLI encourages active participation in classes and events. Sharing thoughts, asking questions, and generally interacting with one another reinforces learning and enhances the OLLI experience. However, for the sake of time, we recommend that instructors consider building specific Q&A breaks into their presentation or hold all until the end of class.
OLLI members are asked to respect the learning environment, the instructors, and other members by staying on topic during discussions and being careful not to dominate a conversation. If you feel these requests are not being respected by a member of the class, please feel free to close the conversation and move on.
If a class is more than 90 minutes long, a 5 to 10-minute break must be scheduled.
Instructor Compensation and Recognition
Although OLLI instructors are volunteers, they may be eligible for a discount on OLLI term fees. Contact the OLLI office for more information. The OLLI Director and Director of the Board are also happy to write a letter of thanks/recognition upon request for an instructor for a personnel file.
Honor Roll Members
The Honor Roll is for instructors who have taught at least 10 courses and 60 hours of classes. These instructors are awarded the status of Honor Roll Member. This membership is OLLI’s opportunity to show appreciation for these instructors for the time and effort they give to our organization.
Guests
OLLI instructors may bring one guest to a class with prior approval from the director.
Class Hosts
Each class has a volunteer host to welcome members, remind members to use the microphone, monitor the chat option if the class is being on Zoom, and generally help the instructor during class as needed.
Course Feedback
As a membership organization, the opinions of our members are important to us, so OLLI encourages members to provide feedback for courses in which they are enrolled. These feedback forms are distributed by class hosts during the final class session and are also available online. Completed forms are reviewed by the curriculum committee and can be sent to you at the end of the term.
Instructor Feedback
Your opinion is also important. We will email you a feedback form following your final class period, where you can give us feedback on your teaching experience. All feedback is reviewed by the OLLI staff and appropriate committees.
Cancellations
When Monongalia or Kanawha County schools are closed for inclement weather, there will be no in-person OLLI classes held in the respective area. The OLLI Director will contact you if your class is held on Zoom to determine if it should also be cancelled. Two-hour delays will not affect OLLI classes. OLLI will make every attempt to reschedule the course, however the final decision is between the instructor and the OLLI Director.
If you need to cancel a class, please call the office so that the office can inform those enrolled for the class. It may be possible to reschedule if you wish to do so.
Marketing classes
Each term, OLLI prints a catalog that includes a listing of all upcoming courses and special events with brief descriptions. Please feel free to share with us additional information and materials to promote your courses on social media, such as links to websites, articles, photos, and/or more in-depth descriptions of your class.
Before the start of each term, OLLI hosts meet and greet events in Morgantown and Charleston, during which you are invited to give a 2-minute presentation about your class if you wish.
If you have any questions, please call the office at 304-293-1793 or email at olli@hsc.wvu.edu . You can also stop by the office at the Mountaineer Mall to get more information.