Preparing for the First Class
Communication with Online/Hybrid students should begin before the first class meeting. Faculty members are encouraged to develop an informational email, also known as a welcome letter, to be sent to enrolled students at least a week prior to the course start date. In the sections below, we will go into the differences between a welcome letter and a syllabus, as well as tips for contacting your students before and after the first day of class.
Welcome Email
A welcome letter is an introduction of both the instructor and course, as well as information about the Online/Hybrid course experience and links to the Learning Readiness Module(s) from the OEI. It is recommended that the welcome letter also includes the following information and/or links:
- Instructions for how to access the course learning management system (currently Canvas)
- Course syllabus
- Guidelines for communication and contact
- Books, materials & technology requirements to take the course
- Course exam expectations
First Email on WebSMART
It is recommended that you contact your registered and waitlisted students about one week before the first day of instruction using WebSMART Links to an external site.. Under the Faculty Services section, select the link for Send Email To Your Class. This first email must include detailed information for how students log in to Canvas on the first day of instruction.
Second Email in Canvas Announcement
Once your Canvas course has been published and is open, then you can contact registered students with the Canvas Announcements Links to an external site.. Please be advised that both students and faculty have control over their Notifications Links to an external site. in their Account menu. You may need to tell students to allow notifications from you so that they do not miss important announcements.
Digital Syllabus
Creating a digital syllabus has many benefits including being easier to make accessible, saving time from semester-to-semester, and meeting Title V requirements in outlining what and how students should interact with you, other students, and content within the course. Please read the Digital Syllabus page for full details.