Hi Denise,
When the student reply to the "Policy and Procedures Email" at the start of a new class, I reply back to them by thanking them and welcoming them to class. Some students will reply to my response with enthusiam about wanting to learn and can't wait to get started.
As we/the instuctors are expected, at the end of each week, I review the grade book for those students who have a earned less than a 70% and send them a "word of encouragement email". I receive responses saying "thank you for believing in me and encouraging me. No one has ever offered me encouraging words or cared if I did something or not".
Some student's will do better but then there are those that can't seem to get motivated, disciplined, or involved in their classwork.
Mary,
A welcoming statement/posting is great to get the class started. I even put out an welcome a week in advance and tell the students to go into the course and browse around to become familiar with the navigation. Thanks!
When I start a new class online a announcement goes out the Sunday before the class starts welcoming the student to the class.The Announcement covers my contact information, a roadmap of the class and success tips for to help them thru the class.
Denise,
When we develop a process to welcome students, we begin to develop that community which is so important in the online learning environment. Thanks for your input.
I like the approach you take by welcoming the students to the class. You give a specific period of time the course is, you reach out to them to ask for help, if needed. The overall message I get is: you understand the difficulty school is and acknowledge this, but also offer words of encouragement about the benefits of completing the course and the sense of accomplishment they will feel at the end.
EDNA,
Just keep working to help students see the importance in achieving the learning outcomes.
Some students will turn in homework and never come to class. I email them over and over again in an effort to help them. Some students will contact me and I am able to work with them.
Rodney,
It's good to keep the students up-to-date and have a nice welcome to the course. I like the "togetherness" you project onto your course. Thanks!
