Create a Welcoming Introduction

Create a Welcoming Introduction

One of the most important things you can do at the very beginning is to set the tone for your class. Think about how you welcome students and introduce yourself in your face-to-face classes. How can you duplicate this in an online forum?

It's important for students to have an immediate visual--a picture or video to assure them that they are taking the class with a "real person"--you! They also need to know that's it's OK to ask for help and how to get it. And you'll want to let them know your experience, education, and/or enthusiasm for the subject you teach. 

Here's a good article Links to an external site. that explains the importance of a good welcoming introduction; the example of page 3 is especially useful.

 

If you need a webcam, contact the Distance Learning staff (nvc-distancelearn@alamo.edu or 210-486-4795).