What & Why

ALIGNED: Course design includes regular instructor-initiated contact with students using CMS communication tools and a clear explanation for students of when and how communication will happen.

There are a number of ways for instructors to stay in communication with students. An important aspect of this rubric element is to make sure you've let students know how and when they can expect to hear from you.

For example:

What communications methods will you be using? (In box, email, announcements, Speedgrader. . .)
How often will you be interacting in the discussions?
Do you offer office hours? How and when?

Tip & Examples

This is just an example of a "communication plan." Feel free to customize to suit your individual course. For example, short (under 3 minutes) weekly video check-ins are a great idea but if you won't be using those, remove that section.

The red ALL CAP text describes where to put a suggested link. Delete the red text from your course page before publishing.

You'll need to download these two images into your course shell (or find your own):
group connecting via different methods.jpeg
inbox icon.png

NOTE: Many instructors might be using this page as a model. You may want to edit the two introductory paragraphs so they're more in your own words just so your students don't come across the exact same text in multiple courses. ;-)

[Page Title, something like: How Will We Be Connecting? OR Our Communication Plan]

I value an interactive and personal learning environment and I intend to harness the technological tools available to us to communicate with you in a variety of ways.

I want to make sure you know that you're not alone in the course. I care about you, I care about the challenges you face, and I care about supporting your learning. Here are some of the ways I'll connect with you throughout the semester:

"Introduction" Discussion

Think of this discussion [LINK TO YOUR INTRO DISCUSSION] as our first class period. It's the first time that we'll virtually *meet* and start getting to know each other as unique and multifaceted individuals. [If this is a required activity, let them know.]

Module Discussions

I monitor these discussions daily and will chime in with opinions and clarifications as it seems appropriate. The Student Q&A forum is where I encourage you to post general questions about the class - and feel free to answer someone's question when you can!

Weekly Video-Check In

Every week, I'll record a brand new video for you where I briefly preview that week's module. I might also share a story, recommend an app, give props to a class member, or mention something about [YOUR COURSE TOPIC] I saw in the news.

Gradebook Feedback

Not only will you find your grades and rubric scores in our gradebook [LINK TO GRADEBOOK], I also use the comments feature to ask questions and spark further conversations about your ideas and contributions. I do my best to grade assignments and offer feedback within 3-5 days.

Announcements

When I come across information I think will be valuable for you, I'll post it as an announcement. [LINK TO ANNOUNCEMENTS] Some of these posts relate to [YOUR COURSE TOPIC] specifically, but some will feature useful resources that will help you as a student or as a human being. If we need to make any changes to our semester schedule, I'll also post these in the announcements area.

Weekly Office Hours

I set aside XX hours each week to be available to you if you need me. Check out this semester's syllabus [LINK TO SYLLABUS] for specific days and times. [You could also put the info right here so they don't have to click anywhere else. And If you'll be using ZoomConference or some other video conferencing software for office hours, let them know.]

Canvas Mail

inbox If I need to get a hold of you this semester, I'll contact you through Canvas mail. You can access this feature by clicking "Inbox" in the left-hand global navigation bar.

I respond to email within XX hours, Monday through Friday. I reserve the right to wait until Monday to reply to messages sent over the weekend. ;-) Please include the course name and section number in the Subject Line (e.g., ENG 101, Sec. 1129).

<img src="/courses/837/files/80070/download?verifier=fCjLN0DnzgvJ5n4XBA2vsUOfbBBXdmgXRVUJnj3P&wrap=1" alt="group connecting via different methods" width="264" height="176" data-api-endpoint="https://ccconlineed.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/837/files/80070" data-api-returntype="File" />
<p>I value an interactive and personal learning environment and I intend to harness the technological tools available to us to communicate with you in a variety of ways.</p>
<p>I want to make sure you know that you're not alone in the course.  I care about you, I care about the challenges you face, and I care about supporting your learning.  Here are some of the ways I'll connect with you throughout the semester:</p>
<h2>"Introduction" Discussion</h2>
<p>Think of this discussion <span style="color: #ff0000;">[LINK TO YOUR INTRO DISCUSSION]</span> as our first class period.  It's the first time that we'll virtually *meet* and start getting to know each other as unique and multifaceted individuals. <span style="color: #ff0000;">[If this is a required activity, let them know.]</span></p>
<h2>Module Discussions</h2>
<p>I monitor these discussions daily and will chime in with opinions and clarifications as it seems appropriate. The Student Q&A forum is where I encourage you to post general questions about the class - and feel free to answer someone's question when you can!</p>
<h2>Weekly Video-Check In</h2>
<p>Every week, I'll record a brand new video for you where I briefly preview that week's module.  I might also share a story, recommend an app, give props to a class member, or mention something about <span style="color: #ff0000;">[YOUR COURSE TOPIC]</span> I saw in the news.</p>
<h2>Gradebook Feedback</h2>
<p>Not only will you find your grades and rubric scores in our gradebook <span style="color: #ff0000;">[LINK TO GRADEBOOK]</span>, I also use the comments feature to ask questions and spark further conversations about your ideas and contributions. I do my best to grade assignments and offer feedback within 5-7 days.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-9540-4212724430" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How do I view grades and instructor comments?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10542-4212352349" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How do I view annotation feedback in an assignment?</a></li>
</ul>
<h2>Announcements</h2>
<p>When I come across information I think will be valuable for you, I'll post it as an announcement. <span style="color: #ff0000;">[LINK TO ANNOUNCEMENTS]</span> Some of these posts relate to <span style="color: #ff0000;">[YOUR COURSE TOPIC]</span> specifically, but some will feature useful resources that will help you as a student or as a human being.  If we need to make any changes to our semester schedule, I'll also post these in the announcements area.</p>
<h2>Weekly Office Hours</h2>
<p>I set aside <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">XX</span></strong> hours each week to be available to you if you need me. Check out this semester's syllabus <span style="color: #ff0000;">[LINK TO SYLLABUS]</span> for specific days and times. <span style="color: #ff0000;">[If you'll be using ZoomConference or some other video conferencing software for office hours, let them know.] </span></p>
<h2>Canvas Mail</h2>
<p><img style="float: left; padding-right: 15px;" src="/courses/837/files/80054/download?verifier=lNgdiwEBur0IBZyuwAcWqWWFpRBwRoAX9NMvrfWV&wrap=1" alt="inbox" width="70" height="79" data-api-endpoint="https://ccconlineed.instructure.com/api/v1/courses/837/files/80054" data-api-returntype="File" />If I need to get a hold of you this semester, I'll contact you through Canvas mail.  You can access this feature by clicking "Inbox"  in the left-hand global navigation bar.</p>
<p>I respond to email within <strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">XX</span></strong> hours, Monday through Friday. I reserve the right to wait until Monday to reply to messages sent over the weekend. ;-) Please include the course name and section number in the Subject Line (e.g., ENG 101, Sec. 1129).</p>

For Reviewers

Where to Look

Regular, effective contact may take the form of announcements, messages (individual or class), discussion replies, and feedback, and will likely be found in various places within a course. The explanation for students will likely be in the syllabus or Orientation/Getting Started module.

What to Look For

We're looking for evidence of communication but also for a clear explanation to students of when and how they can expect to hear from their instructor. This may be a section of the syllabus or a separate "communication" page in the Orientation module. It should be clearly visible and identifiable as such.

Be sure to review the relevant tabs before you leave this page.