Connecting with Students Online

The following activities should be completed in the week before the start of this course. It includes an initial survey, introduction to the course environment, and an opportunity to introduce yourself to your fellow participants.

Complete the Initial Survey

Please take the Initial Survey, which is linked from the home page of our course, just above the link to the Orientation discussion forum. This survey collects some background information about job roles, teaching experience, and familiarity with online teaching and learning.

Explore the Course Environment

Here are some suggestions for exploring the course environment.

• Click on the "Course Details" link to read the course overview, goals, prerequisites, requirements, and other important information.
• Edit your profile by clicking on the "Participants" link (in the "People" block on the left side of the main course page), your name, and the "Edit Profile" tab. You may also add a picture or personal icon by clicking on the "Browse" button next to the "New picture" text box. Watch the following video tutorial to see a demonstration of this process:
• Click on the "Orientation Discussion Forum" link within the Orientation topic outline to familiarize yourself with the discussion area, which will play a central role in our course.

Introduce Yourself in the Introduction Message Forum

Please post a message introducing yourself in the Orientation forum. Include:

• Your name and the grade level/discipline you teach
• Attach a photo of yourself or of something that represents you or your interests.

• Make sure to read and respond to some of your fellow participants.
• Please be sure to make a minimum of three substantive contributions to the discussion using the Message Forum Expectations.