Instructor Presence
This page contains steps and facts for what instructors can do to engage with their students and improve communication in their online courses.
1
Before the course starts
- Canvas Account: Update your profile picture
and notification preferences - Modules: Ensure you’ve provided a “Start Here” page with information on how to be successful in the course and accurate contact information
- Publish Course: Publish modules
, pages , course
2
Each week during the course
Announce
- Welcome: Post a welcome announcement
(week one) - As Needed: Post weekly additional announcements such as reminders, additional resources, expectations, or encouragements
- Virtual Classroom Session: If applicable, in an announcement, post the link to your Virtual Classroom Session recording
Respond
- Inbox: Respond to any inbox emails within Canvas
- Email: Respond to any emails from students in your usu.edu inbox or forwarded email account.
- General Q&A Discussion Board: If applicable, respond to student inquiries
as needed
Discuss
- Class Introductions Discussion: Respond to each student
in the Class Introductions discussion (if applicable). - Week 1 Discussion: Offer additional insight and inquiry by replying to at least three student posts in your Week 1 Discussion. Inspire dialogue by posting weekly discussions to get conversations started if no student posts by Wednesday. Continue to post at least three times a week on the weekly discussions.
Connect
- People: Check the Last Activity column on the “People” page
and reach out to students via the Inbox who have not logged in by Friday of the first week to encourage participation.
Grade
If student work is due Sunday by midnight of the first week, start grading on Monday of the second week. Use SpeedGrader/Rubric/Comments to evaluate student work provide feedback on any of the following presence in your course:
- Grade Weekly Discussion(s)
- Grade Weekly Assignment(s)
- Grade Weekly Quiz
(for any questions that are not auto-graded)