Frequently Asked Questions - (by International Instructor)

for
(Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University (“MIT-WPU”))
(2021)

This FAQ (frequently asked questions) is designed to answer most of the questions generally asked by
candidates. EdifyOnline and the institution reserve the rights to modify, add, or delete any portion of this
document at their discretion. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us, if you still have any question(s). Thank
you!

Q1: What learning management system (LMS) will be used?

CANVAS - We are in dicussion with the institution to allow international faculty to include their
lecture notes, assignments, quizzes, and final exams within their CANVAS.

The decision rests solely on Institution. You are expected to share your lecture materials
outside of CANVAS, when needed, with the use of power point slides and pdf files.

Q2: How will online session be conducted?

“ZOOM or a similar web conferencing tool”

Q3: How long is each instructional lecture?

One (1) hour.

Q4: How long is a trimester?

12-15 weeks.

Q5: What is defined as a “Full Course”?

When, an instructor is expected to teach the whole course from beginning till the end within the
outlines of a course syllabus.

Q6: What are instructor’s qualifications?

Instructor is required to have a terminal degree (PhD), exception may apply in special cases
where hands-on or logistic experience is critical, however, even in such a case a minimum
masters degree in specific subject area is required. A bachelor degree is never acceptable. A
qualified instructor is expected to have lecture notes, home assignments, quizzes, and final
exams.

Q7: Who will schedule the ZOOM meetings?

MIT-WPU

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 Q8: Will I get a reminder or notifications prior to each session?
Yes. EdifyOnline system will send you an email or sms text alerts or both, based on your
preference.

Q9: What is an instruction hour?

An hour of instruction given by an educated, trained, and experienced person to speak on a
specific topic or subject. All prepatory hours leading to this instruction hour are assumed to be
part of this 1-hour of instruction hour.

Q10: How do I calculate my instruction hours for a full course?

Typically, the total instruction (lecture) hours = course credits x # of weeks (for a Trimester)
[Example: A 2-units credit course for a 15-weeks trimester = 30 hours total instruction time.]

However, exceptions may apply, the institution reserves the right to decrease or increase these
hours depending on the need of a course. The total hours will be noted in advance.

Q11: Do I set the “times of my lectures”?

You will have the choice to pick either morning or evening hours schedule. Once selected, your
schedule will remain fixed for the whole term. India is ahead of US time zones between 9.5
hours (Eastern) to 11.5 hours (Pacific). MIT-WPU has accepted to the following hours:

Country US (Eastern Time) US (Central Time) US (Pacific Time) Date (example)

USA Morning
Hours
USA (monring) 8:00 AM to 10:00 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM 5:00 AM to 7:00 July 22nd , 2021
AM (EST) (CST) AM (PST)
India (evening) Same day
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
USA Evening
Hours
USA (evening) 9:30 PM to 11:30 8:30 PM to 10:30 6:30 PM to 8:30 July 22nd, 2021
PM (EST) PM (CST) PM (PST)
India Next day
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM
(morning) July 23rd, 2021
Note: International faculty outside of USA should use the World Time Converter to determine
local time.

Q12: Is it my responsibility to build assignments?

Yes. Since you are an experienced instructor, you are expected to use your own teaching
pedagogy, experience, best practices, lecture notes, home work assignments, quizzes, and final
exams. When needed, institution’s faculty will help review your material to ensure optimum
learning experience for their students.

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 As an expert, we encourage you to suggest number of case studies, home assignments, quizzes,
and exams to institution’s faculty. Once mutually accepted, institution’s staff will plan
accordingly. Grading, feedback to students on their assignments, attendance verification, and
online forum control will be the responsibility of the assisting faculty team.

Q13: Should I have the assignments before the class starts or during the term?
Yes, before you start the class. If you have taught this course before, you can use your prior
experience and material as long as they meet outlined curriculum of this course. Institution’s
faculty may want to review it in advance at their discretion.

Once the class starts, you may have the flexibility to modify your assignments as you deem
necessary to achieve the optimum learning experience subject to institution faculty’s approval.

Q14: Where do I find the course syllabus?

Course syllabus resides within the opportunity application you used to apply for a course
session.

Q15: Do I have an access to those scores and grading in an effort to guage student success?
Yes. Once an institution assigns a faculty to work with you, they will coordinate this with their
LMS IT staff. To comply with FERPA requirements, institution reserves the right to choose other
methods to share this information with you or deny it.

Q16: How will I access the textbook?

If you use the institution’s recommended text book, institution will provide the access to either
digital book or a physical book. Institution has the right to choose either.

If you prefer to use another text book, you will have to discuss the matter with institution’s
faculty to get their approval in advance. Institution reserves the right of refusal.

Q17: Will a physical copy be ordered for me or is there an e-version available?

Either may be available based on a specific course and choice of institution’s faculty.

Q18: Is there a standard practice for the lectures i.e. using a Power Point?
Any method is acceptable, as long as the material is readable on online forum to students.
Please be congnizant of the fact, most students use laptops of small size screens.

Bulletized power point slides seem to work fine, most times. Avoid writing too much text on
slides, as students get distracted to read text on slides more than listen to you. Use your best
judgement - additional material can be distributed to students separately with the help of
institution’s staff.

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 Q19: Can you explain how will the complete process work?

• EdifyOnline will provide the initial onboarding logistics:

o Assist you to upload a Google extension on your computer, so you can receive
session alerts.
o Enable the use of coures session plan.
o Connect you to institution’s faculty.
• You will teach the course on specified dates and times. Ensure your google extension is
working and is being used when you teach, this will be your record your attendance that you
taught the class when scheduled.
• You and Institution faculty will coordinate all coure related matters and distributions.
• Institution will setup the class online forum (ZOOM or other similar applications) and
manage it.
• EdifyOnline will send session reminder notifications.
• Institution will provide teaching assistants to check home work assignments, quizzes, and
exams.
• All back-end teaching support will be handled by institution’s staff. You are free to discuss
your grading preferences with them, however, institution has the final approval authority.
• Only Institution faculty and/or staff can deal directly with class students. You will work with
faculty to distribute any material to students.

Q20: Will I get a student feedback?

Yes, EdifyOnline is attempting to integrate a student feedback system, it is subject to their
approval.

Q21: Will I get a faculty feedback on my performance from faculty?

Yes, EdifyOnline is attempting to integrate a faculty feedback system, it is subject to their
approval.

Q22: What is the dress code?

Professional, casual and respecfull. T-Shirt is acceptable. A buttoned shirt and a tie is optional.

Q23: Where is EdifyOnline located?

In USA

Q24: What onboarding documents are required?

1) EdifyOnline Professional Service Agreement (EPSA), it is a master agreement good for
minimum 2-years subject to any amendments. Document is signed by EdifyOnline and
you.

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 2) Exhibit A, it is statement of work (SOW) that has your personal information, course
details, and compensation terms and condistion. Document is signed by you.
3) Other miscellaneous policy documents, as needed, by EdifyOnline or when required by
an institution to disseminate any information or seeking your acknowledgement.

Q25: When should I submit my invoice for payment?

During the last week of the course, in accordance with clause #6 of EdifyOnline Professional
Service Agreement (EPSA).

Q26: What will you need from me to make the payment?

1) Instructors living within USA (Domestic) -

• Social Security # or tax ID if you are a company, this information will be requested on
Exhibit A. EdifyOnline will file IRS 1099 forms on your behalf.
• Once Exhibit A is signed, EdifyOnline accounting would send you US IRS W9 form to
complete and sign.
2) Instructors living outside of USA (Foreign) –
• Intenational tax ID, this information will be requested on Exhibit A.
• Once Exhibit A is signed, EdifyOnline accounting would send you US IRS W8 form to
complete and sign.
• Accounting will also require proof of your residence in your country (e.g. a copy of
driver’s license, or a passport, or other officail document)

Q27: How will I get paid?

1) Instructors living within USA (Domestic) - EdifyOnline check sent via US postal service.

2) Instructors living outside of USA (Foreign) – payment will be wired/processed through

payoneer.

Q28: What currency will I get paid in?

US Dollars ($) only.

Q29: Who do I contact with my payment related question?

[email protected] (please do not use ‘.com’, she is still using the old email address)

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