Template: Pre-course Communications Blurbs

Copy paste directly from this page or import from Canvas Commons the following blurbs that apply to your course content and place them in your welcome letter and wherever else would be helpful for your students.

Also, feel free to check out this complete Welcome Letter example.

Course Formats

As a DE faculty you are teaching one or more of the following modalities: Online asynchronous, Online Asynchronous, and/or HyFlex. The following are three blurbs on these types of modalities for your students. Place them in your course welcome letter and wherever else appropriate so students know what course type to expect:

Online Asynchronous

In an online Asynchronous class, all course activity occurs online; there are no required zoom or on campus meetings. All content is delivered in Canvas. Coursework does have due dates as set by the instructor, but can be completed, once the content becomes available, at any time before the assignment due date.

Online Synchronous

In an Online Synchronous class, course meetings occur virtually on Zoom. The course meetings occur at scheduled days and times. Instructors will use Canvas to disseminate grades and other class content, such as documents, discussions, and announcements. You can find your Zoom class information via the TechConnect link in your canvas course. There are also class resources to help you learn more about how to use Zoom in Canvas[link "how to use Zoom in Canvas" to the Zoom Tech Connect Template once you have imported it in your own course].

HyFlex

In a HyFlex class, all course meetings are held face-to-face on campus, and may be attended in person or virtually, via Zoom. The course meetings occur at scheduled days and times. You will still access your course content, such as documents, discussions, and announcements, in Canvas.

Course Materials

There are different types of course materials you may be utilizing for your course. Select the option that you are using below and copy/paste or import from commons this information into your welcome letter and wherever else would be helpful for your students.

Comercial Textbook

You can import the textbook blurb from Cavas Commons and import it into your Canvas course as a page.

OER

Below is an example of how you might explain your OER textbook to students in your course. Be sure to link to the textbook and all of the places it can be located in the course.

Our course is designated as “ZTC” (Zero Textbook Cost). This means that there is no cost to you for purchasing our textbook when accessed online. All readings can be accessed through our course site on Canvas [or link to online materials]. If you would like a low-cost print version, it can be ordered at a low cost from [source]. Please know that there are many ZTC classes offered at Moorpark College to support your success. Just look for the ZTC symbol in the Schedule of Classes!

Extra care and effort were involved in selecting high-quality ZTC resources for our class. I am interested in your experience using these materials and welcome your feedback in the end-of-course survey and at any time during the course.
You don't need to purchase a book as this is a Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) course. However, you do need to read the book! The textbook we will use is [textbook title] by [author]. The textbook covers the material in a manner that is easy to read, especially for a student that is just beginning to explore the exciting world of business. Note that there are many free options available to access the textbook: OpenStax app, Kindle, PDF, or directly online.
Feel free to also include the ZTC Icon in your course

Third Party Software

If you are using [third-party software] for homework or course materials be sure to notify students how and where they can access these types of course materials.

Announcements

Using announcements is a great way to disseminate course information and keep students updated and on track in your course. Use the following verbiage to let your students know how you will use announcements and how to set their notification preferences to be sure they are aware when announcements are posted

I will will frequently post announcements to the course Canvas page. Course Announcements will share important information throughout the semester. Be sure to view announcements often and change your announcement notifications to ensure that you are receiving announcement notifications.