Getting Started

Step 1: Decide on a type of course delivery

You may wish to review the descriptions provided for each of the course delivery methods offered through Extended Learning.

Online:	D2L Packaged Courses
Off-Campus:	Sites/ITV Study Abroad
PSEO:	PSEO

Step 2: Establish a course

D2L or Off-campus	Complete the Extended Learning Course Request Form.
Packaged Courses	Contact Extended Learning
Study Abroad	Complete the Extended Learning Course Request Form. The Program Director for Extended Learning and the Director for International Programs prefer to meet jointly with the proposing faculty member(s) early in the process. The initial meeting can occur either before or after the course request form is completed.
PSEO Concurrent Enrollment	Karey Shearman
CPE	Jean Clarke

Step 3: Work with Extended Learning and other partners to implement a successful course.

We’re all in this together!

Review the links below for important information about each type of course offered through Extended Learning, then check out the Faculty Resources page for quick links to workshops, tutorials, help desks, and other Minnesota State Mankato resources.

Online:	D2L; contact Jeffrey Henline, Instructional Support Specialist Package Courses: Contact Extended Learning.
Off-Campus:	Courses offered at different locations: Contact Becky Copper-Glenz ITV: Contact Jerald Anderson, Video Production and ITV Coordinator, for technical support (507-389-6921). Study Abroad: Contact the International Programs Office or Becky Copper-Glenz
PSEO:	Contact Karey Shearman
CPE:	Contact Jean Clarke
Visit Faculty Resources

Step 4: Order textbooks and other materials.

You can place your textbook orders online at Minnesota State Mankato Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Select the Faculty Services tab. You may also contact the bookstore by calling 507-389-1649. Students may order their books online as well, using the Student Center tab.

Step 5: Monitor the enrollment in your course.

We ask that you contact Extended Learning the day after your first class meeting and provide us with the number of students in the class or information regarding cancellation. The Registrar’s office provides step-by-step instructions to view your Minnesota State Mankato roster online. As noted in Step 2, special instructions apply for some off-campus courses.

Minimum Enrollment: Courses will be canceled at the end of the first week of classes or after the first class session, whichever is later, if minimum enrollment is not met. However, this is a somewhat flexible concept.

• If you are teaching an in-load class and being paid by your department or college, your department/college determines the minimum enrollment. Extended Learning must be informed of the decision to cancel the course if minimum enrollment is not met.
• If you are teaching as an adjunct or an overload appointment, you will be paid by Extended Learning and we determine a minimum enrollment for your class. In broad terms, minimum enrollment is set at the number of tuition-paying students required to “break even” on the course. However, other valid considerations exist and are taken into account.

If you do not have the minimum enrollment after the first night of class, you have two options: 1) inform the students that class is cancelled or 2) work with Extended Learning during the first week of classes to continue the course based upon programmatic needs, departmental funding available, or other circumstances.

Mid-Term Roster: It is important that you promptly review the mid-term roster for your course. If there are students in your class who are not on the roster, they need to contact Extended Learning as soon as possible in order to complete the registration and tuition payment process, or they will no longer be eligible to continue attending class and receive a grade.

Step 6: Know what you need to know about cancellation of classes.

Faculty Decision: If you choose to cancel due to inclement weather conditions, illness, or other reason, please inform your students directly and also leave a message with Extended Learning (507-389-2572) or email ext@mnsu.edu.

Severe Weather: Most classes (Monday-Friday) will be covered by the University’s regular severe weather policy and procedures. Please ask your students to listen to a Mankato or Twin Cities radio or TV station or visit the University website if there is any possibility that classes might be cancelled. You may want to develop your own procedure for notifying students if necessary.

Online courses should also address weather considerations that may affect student participation.

Saturday Classes: In the event that Saturday classes need to be cancelled because of weather conditions, Extended Learning or the Security Office will contact the “Saturday phone number” provided by faculty who teach on Saturdays. NOTE: Our office will contact faculty members only, not individual students.

Step 7: Course evaluations and final examinations.

Step 8: Enter the grades for your course.

Extended Learning courses use the same record-keeping tools on the Registrar’s website as all University courses. The Registrar’s office provides step-by-step instructions to submit grades.

Step 9: Ask questions.

If you have any difficulty with any step along the way or have questions about anything else pertaining to Extended Learning, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Step 10: Give us feedback.

We depend on your feedback to help us improve the service we provide to faculty and students. Let us know what works and what doesn’t when you teach for Extended Learning!

Thank you for helping Minnesota State Mankato students take full advantage of access to higher education through Extended Learning!