Welcome Emails
Do you think it is important to send personalized emails to each student during week one as well as respond to their introductions in the classroom? Why is this extra effort on the part of the online professor important?
Ranjeet,
I also use them and it helps to build a personal connection between students and faculty right from the beginning. This community building is vital to bring a "personal" element to an environment that many feel is very sterile and impersonal. What are some of the other steps that you have found to be effective measures?
Herbert Brown III
Of the instructors that I manage, some of them do personalized messages in the first week. Of those who do, I find them to be much more successful in connecting with students, getting positive responses in student evaluations. After my organization did some research, we found that student attriction occurred more often in classes where instructors did not take this (and other extra steps) to connect with their students. I'm thinking of making the personalized messages mandatory.
Nicole,
It does help break the ice and provide some common ground between students and between you the instructor and the students. For example, this semester I found out that one of my students lived at the bottom of the hill across from my house. I found out that some like kayaking which my lead to finding out some great kayaking locations. Although that sounds more social that educational, they certainly "connect" better with you and I have found them in general to be more responsive in class after seeing that you are a real person and are actively engaged in what they are posting and discussing.
Herbert Brown III
I used to send welcome emails but since I started my current job it wasn't required of me so I stopped. With another employer however I would email them the syllabus and a brief welcome message that every student would get. Then I would also post a general welcome message and a bio in the online "classroom." I would also read and respond to their bios. This is a requirement at this school. And when I would meet students in class we all were more relaxed and comfortable with one another. I would often get students who would ask follow-up questions about my daughter or my hobbies. I believe it is an important way to start things off right.
Cynthia,
Online Students want to feel they are part of a learning community. The more we can do to help them feel connected and a part of the greater learning community they more comfortable they will be and more likely to interact fully in the course.
Herbert Brown III
I think it is important and students appreciate the outreach. Students need to feel attention is being addressed to them and that personalized comments reflect the caring attitude of the instructor. If comments look too much like a cookie-cutter remark, they notice this and feel flat about the interaction.
Erin,
I like how you ask them to articulate their instructor expectations. I think sometimes we forget that there are expectations for us as instructors as well. By having them articulate what they expect from you, you will have the opportunity to meet their needs for you. I would think that will contribute to your success as an instructor and positive evaluations.
Herbert Brown III
Interesting topic. I've tried responding to each and every personal introduction post, but so many students end up dropping and this extra effort on my part doesn't seem to change anything or affect my Faculty Course Questionnaire scores. Instead, I have each student review the demands of my course (in the syllabus and the Getting Started module), then fill out an Individual Learning Contract stating what he/she sees as the unique demands of the course, what he/she will do to succeed (study habits, resources), and what he/she expects from me, their instructor. I also ask for an alternate email here, and ask them to detail the basics of MLA (so that I don't have to go over and over it all semester). This Learning Contract is due within the first week. Then I can read their introductory post online, and when I respond personally to their Contract, I can mention something in their bio that I connect with. "I lived in Pennsylvania, too; isn't it great?!?" Something like that. This method seems to be working wonderfully and I would strongly recommend it to everyone!
Yes I do think welcome emails to students are important. This type of email allows me as the instructor to introduce myself to the class give them an idea of who I am and what my expectations of them would be during this class. This will also allow them to know what to expect from me. Further more a welcome email will make them feel more comfortable to communicate with me in this fashion.
Hi,
I haven't been sending a personalized "welcome" email to each student but think it is a great idea and easy enough to implement. I do however post a welcome announcement that is friendly and inviting.
Although it is a requirement by our administration, the personalized Welcome email serves as an excellent way to begin a positive relationship with the students and to offer encouraging words and tips for successfully completing the class. It also opens the door for open communication.
Trang ,
I send welcome emails and stay connected with the students regularly through their coursework to connect with them. What strategies have you used to go the extra distance and connect with your students? Is there anything that you have found that works better than others?
Herbert Brown III
Going the extra distance when it comes to student outreach allows students to know that you know that they exists individually and not as just one group. They will also feel that you have the time for them and are available to them when needed.
Mike,
I also start the semester with personal email welcome messages. I follow up with students throughout the course so they feel connected and a sense of presence from me. I also try to make sure all feedback is in a very timely manner so students feel they can talk to me and receive quick feedback. In this way I get connected with them and they often will contact me even when they are in other courses and might have a technical or other issues they think I can help with. I am also the program coordinator so they feel more connected to the program as well.
Herbert Brown III
I like to send these personally. It allows you to open the door and get a sense for how a student prefers to learn from day one (or even the day before a course is to start). I then like to send personal messages over to students throughout the course just to check in and keep the door open for any issues or questions they have. What are others doing in this arena?
Janis,
I may or may not send individual personalized emails; however, I do typically respond and try to connect with their introduction postings. I believe the students feel a stronger connection with you if you can connect with elements of their personal lives.
Herbert Brown III
