Welcome E-Mail
I use the welcome e-mail as a standard and have experienced,"the welcome", to be an awesome tool for establishing open communications and trust initially with students. This method also provides me with opportuity to observe the students level of written communications and computer proficieny as well.
Kimberly,
This is a easy comfortable way to engage the students in discussion and sharing at the beginning of a class. With this approach they will feel comfortable in sharing and they get settled into the course while getting to know you as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My university requires a welcome letter to be on the course website by the first day of class covering the ins and outs of the course.
It's fairly formal so I also set up an intro discussion board for the class including my own introduction, and I respond to everyone's contribution. I haven't done a welcome email in the past, but I like the idea of it because not everyone posts to the intro board.
I usually give students some suggestions about what to write in their intro: major, stage in program, hobbies, favorite book/band/movie. I don't want anyone to feel pressured to share more than they feel comfortable so I leave it up to them how much they want to tell the class.
Shannon,
The blended model can be an excellent instructional. You may try to leverage the f2f knowledge by 'weaving' references to activities/occurrences during the f2f time in your introduction of the course content.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Right now we are doing blended learning so the students will do half their course online and half their course in the classroom. All the students already know each other and know me. I am trying to think of another way that I can do this introduction to the course.
Any ideas?
Sandra and All,
I use welcome messages at the beginning of class. The traditional "Welcome to the Class," but a second "xxxxxx (Course Number and Name) Course Information and Expectations."
In the second message I have an extract from the syllabus, with additional notes on items I have seen students struggle with in the past. Examples are due dates, late policy, APA formatting (hints and where to go for help/examples), and hints on doing the group project.
I find that throughout the class I can often refer a student back to this opening information to help drive home the important of reading all announcements and emails.
Rodney C.
Martin,
Well done. It seems like you have a solid procedure there. I agree that there is a frighteningly high proportion that do not read the announcements. I always 'hide' my personal phone number in the announcements AND the welcome email (with my email, of course), and one time one of the students complained on the discussion board that there was means by which to reach me. Two others joined in the chorus of the complaint before a fourth student pointed out the error of their ways. I did receive a lot more call during that term than usual. ;-]
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I also use the welcome email to students to remind them of all the support resources available to them. I start by letting them know that I am available to help with questions via email and office hours and invite them to join in the live class sessions. I remind them of tutoring opportunities and that much more in the way of support information is contained in announcements on the class home page. Even if they do not read announcements [and a frighteningly high proportion do not!] at least I can get the information to them in a friendly email.
Great points Sandra. Welcome emails really help to provide guidance to the online learners. Mike
Rebekah,
Very true. It's that first impression of competence and caring that can let the student feel secure in the environment. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
A welcome letter is wonderful. I teach for a few different Universities, one actually sends the welcome letter out for the instructor which is great. The others provide a templated form, similar to the one that was posted, which is also good. The idea of the welcome letter is to let the students' know that even though it is a virtual environment there is sufficient interaction with the facilitator and students to ensure learning is taking place. Students want to feel they are part of a learning community. The facilitator can go a long way to establish a relationship of trust and cohesiveness by just taking simple steps such as a bio and the welcome letter.
Jim,
Very good. I like your style. Students need a safe environment to work and make mistakes, but also to know they will not be permitted to "goof off." Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Sandra,
A welcome letter should be one that allows the student to become comfortable with you as it is often the first impression a student has of you. Posing a question in your welcome letter allows you to get an idea of those student who actually read the welcome.
I think that the informality of a welcome letter -specifically in the Visual Communications program - is very important because it puts a student at ease. The students in this program have a natural tendency to not like "rules' and I think it puts them at ease a bit.
~JD
Jim,
This is a popular approach with many. Having a course expectations posting or a set of documents where there is on document about each general category (e.g. APA, late submissions, etc.) is helpful as a reference point that can be accessed whenever needed throughour the course. Having the welcome letter primarily focus on the human introduction and inspirational encouragement works well for many instructors.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think this is a powerful Welcome letter. I try to keep my Welcome Letter on the informal side and since I teach in the Visual Communications Program I try to provide information that could hopefully inspire them. I leave out the rules regarding APA writing, etc. and place that in the course expectations posting.
I sure agree Sandra! The welcome email should trigger the students to get into the course, and to email you back if they have any questions.
Here is a sample:
Dear Students:
Welcome to this class. I look forward to working with you! Our class officially begins Monday, XXX XXXth. I have posted some information about myself in my Faculty Office and on a discussion thread for you to also introduce yourselves.
I hope that you will find this course enjoyable and that you are able to answer the assignment questions by using a combination of the textbook, library, online sources, and your wisdom in applying these lessons.
Please use the APA format for your submissions to include a title page and references. Please strive to interpret and apply what you read so your voice resonates through your submission.
If there are ever any challenges that would prevent you from completing your homework in a timely fashion, please give me a heads up and I will take that into consideration when grading your assignments. Please don't hesitate to contact me and I will be glad to help you. Your advisor also stands ready to render valuable assistance when questions arise that are not content-related. In short, XXX's success depends on your success!
Best of luck,
XXX XXXX
XXX.XXXX@XXX.edu
XXX_XXX_XXXX Cell
XXX.XXX.XXXX Home/Work
Sandra,
This is a powerful method used by many excellent online teachers. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
