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Instructor Communication Plan

Set expectations for interactions with students

At the start of a course, a clear communication plan supports students in how they will connect with the instructor and engage with the class. A well-defined approach establishes expectations for instructor-student interaction, including correspondence and feedback for submitted work.

Table of Contents

Communication Plan

For regular and substantive interaction, defined expectations address communication tools and timeframes for instructor availability and for when students will receive instructor responses. A centralized location for these expectations, like the syllabus or a “Start Here” section, is easy for students to reference when getting started in the course and as they progress.

Using a Syllabus Template

This Syllabus Template addresses multiple contexts to help build a communication plan with example language and required university policies. To establish your own plan, use the outlined sections to offer essential information for instructor contact and instructor-student interactions.

Instructor Information (p. 1)

  • Office Hours
    • Provide regularly scheduled times to consult with students, including in-person or virtual availability.
    • Consider, if applicable, using student-friendly terms for office hours like “weekly drop-ins” or “coffee chats” for an inviting tone.
  • Preferred Method of Communication and Response Time
    • Identify email or other contact guidelines and expected turnaround time during the week and over the weekend.

Communication Guidelines (p. 8)

  • Plan for Interaction Between Instructors and Students
    • Indicate ways you will interact with learners, like weekly course announcements, mid-term email check-ins, responses to activities, feedback on activities or assessments, etc.

Grading and Feedback (p. 9)

  • Grading Criteria, Details, and Timing of Feedback
    • Provide the average turnaround time for activities and assessments. 
    • Differentiate between instructor- and auto-graded activities and assessments when establishing timing for grading and feedback.

Best Practices

  1. Acknowledge communication methods and email response time in a course welcome letter or course overview as part of student orientation.
  2. Reiterate expectations throughout the course in relevant locations, like an instructor contact block, announcements forum, activities and assessments pages, etc.
  3. Alert students of any changes to plans for communication.

Resources