QM 1.1 Instructions make clear how to get started and where to find various course components. (Essential)

Create a strong instructor presence and offer sufficient guidance to ensure learners have a positive introduction to the online environment, and that they know where to begin and what to do. This initial interaction sets the tone for both you as the instructor and the course in the eyes of the learners. Include clear steps about how to get started in the course with ease, invite students to explore the course, and include instructions on where to find the syllabus, course schedule, etc.

Refresh Your Course

General Suggestions

Add a “Read Me First” module with information.
Place a Start Here button on the Homepage that leads students to a page containing instructions.
Include a Getting Started section in the course with instructions.
Send out a “Welcome to the Course” email before the class starts with a link to the syllabus, the course schedule, and first steps to take.
Add a welcome announcement in Canvas.
Create a course tour (video) to introduce the course and its components.
Develop a Scavenger Hunt activity that highlights important sections.

Examples

Announcement:

“Hello, and welcome to the course! We will start officially next Monday. In the meantime, please read the syllabus in its entirety. You will find it in the Course Navigation Menu on the left side of the screen. Pay close attention to the Course Schedule and important dates. When you’ve read the syllabus and are ready to access the course content and activities, please complete the Syllabus Quiz in Module 1. Once you have completed the syllabus quiz, feel free to look around the course. You are ready to get started!”

Welcome Message:

“Hello, and welcome to the course. Feel free to browse the different tabs on the left-hand side to familiarize yourself with the content on these pages. Take a look at the syllabus and the course schedule. When you are ready to get started, click on the Start Here button below. Any time you get lost or want to return to a previous page, select Home on the left-hand side of this screen to return to this page or backtrack in the breadcrumb menu at the top, to take you back one step at a time.”

Faculty Development Opportunities

eCampus Faculty Development offers several professional development events that can be registered for in CampusGroups. Some specific recommendations that can assist in learning more about this subject include:

Effective Online Teaching Course
Intro to Online Course Design Course
Instructor Immediacy - Making Yourself More Approachable to Your Online Students
Creating a Welcoming Environment in Canvas Webinar

Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)/How this standard supports RSI

Indirect impact: Follow-up engagement, like responding to student questions, personalized feedback, or facilitating discussions related to getting started, contributes to meeting the regulatory requirements. A course tour/scavenger hunt could contribute to regular and substantive interaction if you actively participate, but an automated or self-guided activity would not meet the criteria.

Related Resources

3 Subtle Ways to Integrate Navigation Instructions - from E-Learning Heroes
Best Practices for Clear and Simple E-Learning Navigation - from E-Learning Heroes
First-Day Activities: The Syllabus Scavenger Hunt - by Alexandra L. Milsom
UDL Consideration 7.4: Address biases, threats, and distractions - UDL Guidelines