As a Champlain College Online faculty member, you are expected to do the following:
Post a Welcome Announcement or Video on or Before the First Day of Class
- Just as you would introduce yourself and welcome students to class in a face-to-face classroom, it is important to do the same using announcements in Canvas in your online classroom. We recommend that you include the following information in your Welcome Announcement or video:
- A brief introduction to the course and what students can expect to learn during the term
- Directions on what students should do first and what they should focus on during the first week of class
- A link to your Canvas Profile/Bio where students can learn more about you (To link to your Canvas profile page, go to the People tab in your course and click on your name. That’s the link to your profile page.)
- We recommend that you prepare your Welcome Announcement or video ahead of time if possible. If you do, it is best practice to delay the posting until the first day of class. This ensures that students will receive an email notification of your announcement.
- Here are some how-to resources you may find helpful:
Create a Supportive Community
- Respond to each student’s post in the Introductory discussion. Welcome each student to the course as they introduce themselves. Similar to face-to-face introductions, there is something about virtually looking students in the eyes and “seeing” them that kicks the term off in a positive way.
- Facilitate engaging discussions that are more than simple responses and agreements.
- Encourage students to push one another to understand and extend the course concepts.
- Provide clear expectations regarding engagement and assignments. Ensure students know what to do to be successful.
- If it appears a student is having significant difficulty in being successful, contact your Program Director and/or the student’s Advisor. Early support is important.
Actively Participate as a Facilitator of Learning at Least Five Days Each Week, Never Being Absent for More than 48 hours or on Sundays
- Participate regularly in weekly discussions.
- Post regular announcements as a way of responding to questions or preparing students for what to expect that week.
- Respond to questions in a timely manner – always in less than 24 hours.
- Be tangibly present. Leave no question in students’ minds that you are there and that you care about their learning and their success.
- Inform your Program Director and students if you must be absent from the course for more than 48 hours, in advance if possible.
Complete Grading in a Timely Manner and Provide Meaningful, Actionable Feedback on all
Student Work
- Grade all assignments within 4 days of the due date, including entering zeros for all unsubmitted assignments. (Discussions should be graded within 4 days of the close of the discussion period.)
- Grade all resubmissions within 48 hours.
- Use provided rubrics when assessing student work.
- Provide a submission comment on all graded assignments and discussions that lets students know what they did well and how they can improve. Be specific.
- Submit end-of-term final grades through Self-Service by the deadline communicated by the Registrar’s office.
Updated July 6, 2023