1. SETTING THE STAGE

Welcome & Week 1

Before a student can be successful in an online course, the student needs to know what to expect and what to do next.

The first few interactions in an online course and the first week's content play a large role in whether a student remains enrolled or drops. If an instructor seems hard to reach, unorganized, or unfair, or the atmosphere feels unfriendly, a student might drop. This is especially true if a student is new to taking courses online and is already fearful. That is why "setting the stage" for a successful learning experience is key.

Reflections

Where I was.

I always had a welcome email and basic resources on "netiquette," but I didn't provide nearly enough support for students on how to use Canvas effectively. I also didn't have any community building in the early weeks of the course.

Where I am.

I created a pre-week 1 module that is called "Getting Started." I also have a more informative welcome letter and weekly overview pages with a "to do" list to help keep students on track. Lastly, I have students develop community norms.

Where I'm headed.

I would like to start sending out an informal welcome video before the semester even starts. I also want to provide more resources for students on how they can avoid procrastination because self-discipline is so important in online learning.

Course Improvement Examples

summer welcome.docx

Welcome Email: This is the new and improved email I send to students a week before our course starts. It provides a course overview and tips for success. Later on, I send the log in instructions and a welcome video.

This displays the Getting Started Module made up of "Meet Professor Crooks," "Setting Up Canvas" and "Building Community."

"Getting Started" Module: This module includes everything from how to navigate Canvas, to how to get the Canvas phone app, to how to find assignment feedback.

This is a preview of the community norms assignment instructions.

Setting Community Norms: Within the "Getting Started" module is an activity I call "setting community norms." It is something I have always valued in my in-person classes and finally carried over into my online class. It is on an editable page in Canvas and students add their desired classroom guidelines. It is a low stakes, no points assignment.

This is an example of a weekly overview page with a banner and "to do" list for students.

Weekly Overview: Each module begins with an attractive "weekly overview" page that students can expect on page one of each module. It gives a brief overview of the week and a "to do" list with clear Wednesday/Sunday deadlines.

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