Advanced Access to In-Class Materials

To help ensure students can effectively engage in-class learning, some students require additional time to prepare for in-class activities. While this often is related to reading materials and presentation slides in advance of the class, it may also include early access to other things related to effectively engaging in-class activities. Materials commonly shared include:

  • PowerPoints/other slides
  • Handouts
  • Worksheets
  • In-class readings
  • Videos

Please note that the instructor is not required to create new materials or share additional materials that are not shared with other students in the course. The intent is for the faculty to share what is being used in class. The specific materials that are shared may vary for each class depending on what is reasonable. SAS can help faculty determine what is reasonable.

Key Things to Know

  • Depending on the specific course and materials being shared, specific timelines can vary on how early materials are released. Generally, materials should be released to the student as soon as possible by the instructor. Specific timelines should be discussed by the student and the instructor. SAS can help facilitate this conversation as needed. 
  • Changes can still be made to course content after materials are released, but students should be alerted to any significant changes.
  • This accommodation would not be reasonable in specific instances when releasing content at a later point is pedagogically important.
  • This accommodation does not apply to in-class quizzes, exams, or any other assessment materials. 
  • Early release of content is not a substitute for class attendance. Students are still expected to meet all attendance requirements.

Student Responsibilities

Students are responsible for…

  • Meeting all general accommodation responsibilities as outlined as outlined on the SAS Website.
  • Keeping the materials shared private (unless otherwise approved by the instructor, students cannot share, distribute, or publish any materials shared)
  • Working with instructors (and SAS as needed) to create a plan for:
    • What materials will be shared
    • How the materials will be shared
    • When the materials will be shared
    • Any alternatives if certain materials cannot be shared in advance
  • If the materials are not needed, providing notice to faculty.

Implementation Recommendations

As an instructor implementing this accommodation, we recommend that you...

  • Talk with the student about what types of materials they would like in advance. Questions can include, but are not limited to:
    • What materials are most useful in helping you prepared for in-class learning?
    • What types of materials or information are you looking for?
    • Are you only looking for presentation materials or are you looking for other materials used?
    • Do you require digital copies of materials?
    • Are there certain materials that would be ok to share after class is over?
  • Clearly outline what materials can be released in advance and what cannot be released in advance
  • Notify students of any significant changes to the materials
  • If the materials cannot be shared in advance in a specific instance, provide advanced notice to the student. 

Common Questions

Are instructors required to share personal notes?

No. Instructors do not have to share personal notes. Instructors should share information that will be shared in class with other students, but do not have to share additional information. The purpose is to help students prepare for by providing advanced access.

Are instructors required to share study guides?

This accommodation is not intended to apply to the creation of new materials. Instead, the intent is for the instructor to share materials that will be used in class.

Can an instructor make changes to materials after they are shared?

Yes. An instructor may make changes to materials, but those changes should not significantly alter the material itself. For instance, if an instructor shares a PowerPoint with the student, it is common for the instructor to still make edits, add resources, and change wording on slides even after the materials have been shared. These smaller changes would not significantly impact the student's in-class preparation. If there are significant changes, then the faculty should inform the student about these changes.

Can an instructor share materials from previous courses? 

It depends. The intent of the accommodation is to provide the same materials that will be used in the class. There may be instances where previous materials can be shared, but it is important that these materials provide an equivalent experience for the student. At times, older materials can have different content or follow a different pedagogical structure, and this could potentially restrict the student from effective participation. If an instructor has questions about whether sharing previous materials would meet an accommodation need, the instructor should reach out directly to SAS.