Communication

Provide a communication statement – Describe how students and staff will communicate for different purposes (e.g. Zoom, using Canvas Discussions for coursework-related questions, Microsoft Teams, and email for personal matters). Include expected staff response times.

Use the Announcements in the Canvas course as a channel for important news such as key dates and events. Student comments on Announcements are allowed by default, but these can be turned off if required.

Make the purpose of every Discussion clear, including how students are expected to engage with it and how often staff will reply to posts (if at all).

Advise staff and students to upload 'suitable' profile pictures or avatars to help personalise the online environment and allow online discussions between collaborators to be more easily followed.

Our Canvas course template includes a general Q&A Discussion for students to pose questions and receive answers in.

Track student participation using Gradebook and send reminders to those who have yet to contribute to activities or submit assessments.