Embedded Files
Before a session starts, the AQ Office will try to give you as much notice as possible if there will be a section available for you to instruct. Due to the uncertainty of enrolment, there is not always a lot of lead time prior to the start of a course.
Courses from previous sessions are copied for instructors to upgrade and prepare for the upcoming session. Instructors are responsible for making sure the course is ready prior to the course start date.
Prior to the start of each course, the AQ office will email instructors to let them know they now have access to their section. In that email will be the following checklist. Instructors should spend some time using the checklist to carefully review their course. It is the instructor's responsibility to ensure that they have reviewed the course, made any necessary updates and notified the AQ Office of the course's readiness.
Course Readiness Checklist
Announcements
Welcome Announcement is posted and includes:
Course start and end dates
Instructor name
Instructor contact information
Due Dates
Update all due dates to reflect the current session (Check the Syllabus and Due Dates section)
Course Contacts
Instructor's name and email address are updated
AQ Office contact information is visible
IT help page information is visible
Links
Links opening proper pages
All links open in new page and there is no Blackboard redirect notice
Files and Documents
All files are labelled properly
Rubrics/grading scheme is attached to all assignments
Permissions for documents are enabled for students to access
All documents saved as PDF and uploaded individually to course
Gradebook
Assignments are labelled properly within the gradebook
Correct weighting for each assignment have been used
Assignments only appear ONCE in the gradebook
Final grade column adds up to 100
Task Board/Discussion Board
Delete any old posts that have copied over from all threads
Add any necessary starter posts threads
Accessibility
Ensure course colour choices allows for everything to be easily read
Fonts allow for text to be read clearly
Fonts are consistent in size and font throughout the course
Titles and headings are bolded and underlined as necessary
*For more information about accessibility, see the 'Accessible Learning on Blackboard' section of course
Introducing Yourself to Your Students
One of the challenges of online learning is that it typically does not allow for the same sense of community that in-person learning does. Each instructor's goal should be to try and build a virtual learning community that welcomes and actively engages all learners.
This process begins as soon as your course starts. It is important to set the tone for this learning community by sending initial welcome information to students. Take this opportunity to introduce yourself to students and share a bit about your background.
Best Practices for Course Start-up Communication
Post a welcome message under the Announcements section of the course. This messaging should include your name, some background information about yourself and your contact information. You may also take this opportunity to let students know when you will typically respond to emails (e.g., once a day in the evenings, on Sunday evenings etc.)
Send a welcome email message to all students with the same information included in your announcement. You may also ask students to quickly respond to this initial email to acknowledge receipt. This helps you ensure early on that students are receiving your email communications. (Please note that the AQ office may still be moving students around in sections prior to the start date of the course. Therefore, please hold off on sending emails to students until the course officially begins.)
Reach out personally via email to students who you notice have not yet accessed the course within the first week of the course. If students are not responding to their Trent email address, please ask the AQ Office for the student's alternate email.
You May Consider. . .
First impressions really make a difference! If you are looking for a way to connect with and engage your new students, the following ideas may be helpful to you.
An Introduction Video
Think about creating a video introducing yourself to students. Some instructors have chosen to welcome students to their course this way. This is a positive way for students to connect with instructors despite the distance. Your video could be as simple as something filmed of yourself on your computer or smartphone or you could use some digital tools to create an animated video.
You can view the sample video that our AQ Office created using Powtoon below. Powtoon videos are quick and easy to make. You may even think about incorporating this website into your course assignments to provide student's more choice in how they demonstrate their learning!
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