Helping Students Get Started in an Online Class (Canvas)

In this article, we will discuss strategies for introducing students to the components of your online course and creating a welcoming online environment.

1. Send a welcome letter before class starts

You can begin connecting with students by sending a welcome letter a week or so before the first day of class. Include information that helps students know how to prepare for the start of class, such as:

Overview of the course and how it is structured
How to access the course through WolfWare
How the course is laid out in Canvas
How to navigate the course in Canvas
Instructor contact information and preferences
What to do before the start of class

You can use a Welcome Letter template to get started.

2. Include a “Start Here” module in Canvas

A “Start Here” or “Getting Started” module should include clear information about what to do upon entering the online classroom. This module should include all information for students to be prepared for the class and to understand course expectations. These materials may include:

A copy of the welcome letter
Instructor introduction video or page
Links to important course documents, such as the syllabus, course information and guidelines, course schedule, course overview, etc.
Practice activities to help students become familiar with tools they’ll use in the course

3. Introduce yourself

Instructor presence means you are an active part of your students’ learning journey and helps increase student engagement and satisfaction. Your introduction should say something about you as a person and why you want to teach the course. Students like to see that their instructor is a real person. The introduction can be short and simple and can also include a course orientation.

You can provide your introduction in a couple of ways:

Create a short welcome video. A short and simple video allows students to see your face and hear your voice, which makes the connection more meaningful and motivating. Ensure the lighting is good and consider using an external microphone for clear audio.
Create a written introduction on a page or in a discussion and include your photo.

Example Instructor Introduction

4. Have students introduce themselves

Create a class introduction discussion for students to “meet” their classmates and to help students foster a classroom community. Connecting with other students can be a motivating and engaging factor in an online setting.

Use creative prompts that can spark conversation. Ask students to share experiences without giving away sensitive or personal information, or have them share a photo of a favorite place or pet.

Sample student introduction forum prompts

Example 1

Did you know that the enrollment of the class is about # students?

We hope that these introductions will foster the feeling that, even though we might be in different locations, we are a group learning together.

Please post an image in this discussion to introduce yourself to the class. The image can be a photo you’ve taken or found on the internet (please mention source), or it could be just a sketch.
The image should show an environment that bears special meaning to you. Write a line or two to tell us why that environment is meaningful to you.

To complete this discussion, please post your introduction (with your name in the Subject line) and reply to at least two other students.

Example 2

During the first few days of class, introduce yourself to help everyone get to know you. Of particular interest is your professional and academic information and other information that you feel comfortable sharing online.

What is your major?
What do you expect to learn in this course?
What concerns do you have about this course?
What are your strategies to succeed in this course?
What do you hope to do after graduation?
What is your favorite hobby?

Please respond to at least two of your classmates’ introductions as they are posted. This is our chance to get to know one another before the real coursework begins! Select the Reply button to submit your post.

Additional Best Practices

Use a conversational and friendly tone in communications. An inviting tone will help motivate students and ease any anxiety they may feel about the semester.
Send your welcome letter through email. Most students should have access to their email before the first day of classes. You can choose to create a discussion post or post an announcement, but unless you have changed the availability date of your course in WolfWare, be aware that students will not receive email notifications until the default first day of class.
Clarify the course structure and function of course components. Provide an orientation for students, so they know where to find key course materials and resources and understand how components work together. Consider different options for doing this:
- Provide a description of the course structure and function in the syllabus, the course policies, or a course overview document.
- Record a screencast or provide a screenshot “tour” for how to navigate the Canvas course, and post it in the “Start Here” section.
Redundant information is okay! For example, you may already have your instructor contact information in your course and course policies, but also including your information in the Start Here! module makes it easy to find when needed.

Workshop Information

WolfSNAPS: Setting Up for Success (Online Course Design series)

Helping Students Get Started in an Online Class

Watch a previously recorded workshop.

Resources

DELTA Templates

You can make copies of these Google Doc templates to modify for your own course.

Student Resources

Online and Distance Education Virtual Orientation