CIS Students & Families Webpage

Resources for students in College in the Schools are located on the Students and Families webpage.

CIS Instructors & Counselors Webpage

Resources for instructors and counselors are located on the High School Instructors & Counselors webpage.

CIS Instructors: Apply to Teach a Course Webpage

The CIS instructor application and instructions are located on the Apply to Teach a Course webpage.

Canvas or Google

CIS recommends creating a Canvas site or Google site for sharing information, resources, assignments, rubrics, etc. with and among instructors. Some faculty coordinators require instructors and students to use Canvas or some other electronic tool. 

If you’re considering having a Canvas site, talk with your CIS course liaison to learn more about how this technology can work in the high schools. Both Canvas and Google are supported by the U of M and they offer tutorials and IT assistance.

Exams, Lab Activities, Common Assignments, and Lecture Notes 

Any materials used in all sections of the course taught on the U of M campus must also be provided or made accessible to CIS instructors—lab activities, exams, etc. Even if the course taught on campus does not use common assignments or exams, CIS faculty coordinators can develop and share common assignments for CIS instructors to use. Faculty coordinators may provide CIS instructors with campus course materials, for example: copies of lecture notes, slides and graphics used in the on-campus course. 

The same intellectual freedom used in teaching the course on campus may be offered to CIS instructors.  The CIS course section also follows U of M content, pedagogies, assessments and innovations from the field.

Grading and Grading Rubrics 

CIS strongly urges faculty coordinators to develop—in collaboration with CIS instructors, if the University academic department does not have them—rubrics to be used in grading U of M student work.  Periodic grade norming sessions provide enlightening conversations and ensure consistent practice across sections.  U of M grading standards are included on each syllabus.

More U of M Resources

Faculty coordinators encourage instructors—and their students—to use University resources, such as the libraries, museums, and department-specific resources.   CIS Instructors value highlighting University supports at professional development workshops through presentations or demonstrations in the context of the course or discipline.  Staying current with U teaching, learning and resources is vital!  

FCs have arranged for presentations from the Library, Center for Educational Innovation, Disability Resource Center, Center for Writing, Weisman Art Museum, Library Collections, Study Abroad, (and more).

Library Supports 

• Check out our CIS Library Guide.  

• Watch/share these videos for a recap/more tips: UMN Libraries for CIS Students, UMN Libraries for CIS Teachers.

• A University librarian can assist or create a course-specific library websites for students, as starting points for research assignments.   

• Contact Phil Dudas (duda0014@umn.edu) for discussion or to create an assignment-specific guide for your class!