Regardless of modality (e.g. synchronous or asynchronous), faculty are expected to meet with each student for for short (10-20 minute) meetings in the first week and the last week. In the first-week meeting, faculty want to get a sense of who their students are, why they're interested in the course, what their project is, etc. This is helpful to the instructor as it can guide them to make adjusts based upon who their students are and what their needs are.
The meeting at the end of the semester is to have a conversation about their growth and development and to create a sense of closure about the course.
Tip: Take notes in both of these meetings. These notes will be quite helpful for you when creating your students' narratives at the end of the course.
What to ask in one-on-ones?
Whatever feels right for the course and getting to know the student. But some solid ones to get you started include:
What excites you about being at CU?
What is your preferred method of communication? Email, phone, text, or...?
When it comes to completing work and assignments, where are your strengths?
Where might be some challenges around completing work and assignments?
What are some strategies that you recommend to me to support you and your growth and learning?
If you have a project topic, what is it? What inspired you to choose that?
What is your superpower? What is something that you'll be able to help others with in this course?
Which 1 of the big 10 do you know you have in ample amounts because you or your friends/family have said so?
What might you need support with in this course at CU?
What are you passionate about? What gets you excited/hopeful/energized about?
Ultimately, you want to do a few things in the 1-1s:
Express interest and learn about who this person is and why they are at CU
Allay concerns and worries (as best you can) they have about your course
Help them to recognize they are part of a learning community and the community benefits from having them there