Subject: Welcome to [Course]!

Dear Students,

My name is [name by which you want students to address you]. As your instructor, I welcome you to [course]! I’m looking forward to working with you to explore [general topics] during this term. The course will begin on [date]. I am writing prior to the official start of classes to cover a few items.

Course Availability: You will be able to access the course beginning on [date course will open] in HuskyCT, which is prior to the official start of the term. Once the course becomes available, please begin by with the Course Orientation.

Syllabus, Schedule, and Required Materials: Please read the tentative course syllabus and schedule [link to or attach syllabus and schedule]. Refer to the syllabus for required materials you will need to purchase prior to the start of class and instructions for purchasing those materials. Note: The official syllabus and schedule will be provided in the HuskyCT course site.

Time Commitment: As an online course, this course requires self-direction, motivation, collaboration, and organization. This course also requires the same workload per credit hour as a face-to-face course. You should expect to spend approximately [X to Y, based on the University’s Credit Hour Policy] hours per week working and learning in this course. Class participation is required and expected. This course is not self-paced. Although there is greater flexibility for “when” you may complete coursework online, there are required due dates. Please plan your time accordingly.

Help: If you discover technical difficulties before the first official day of the course, please contact the university Technology Support Center at techsupport@uconn.edu or 860-486-4357. If you have any questions about other aspects of the course, please [preferred method of contact].

Sincerely,
[name by which you want students to address you]

Subject: [Course] is Open!

Dear Students,

Welcome to [course]! This class will officially begin on [date]. The online course is currently open in HuskyCT.

Access the Course:

1. Access HuskyCT by navigating to lms.uconn.edu and logging in.
2. On the left menu, select Courses.
3. Select [course, as listed in HuskyCT]. (If the course is not listed, you may need to adjust the term to Upcoming Courses.)
4. Once in the course, the Course Orientation is the first module.

Course Orientation: Please begin the Course Orientation, which will familiarize you with the syllabus, course schedule, required materials you need to purchase, required technology, and course expectations. You will also have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the class and meet your classmates. I will be available beginning the first official day of the course.

Course Structure: If you are new to online courses, it’s worth taking the time to also go over the various parts of the course. Course content is delivered in weekly modules that consist of [customize: lectures, readings, activities, and discussions]. Each new module will be released every [day of the week]. You will also find several assignments throughout the course. There are [customize: two exams, a mid-term and a final exam], in this course. Once the course begins, I will be using announcements for reminders, comments, and other course-related communications. Please check the announcement regularly!

Instructor Availability & Help: Again, the course is opened early for your benefit. I will not be available until the official first day of classes. If you have any technical issues navigating HuskyCT, please use Student Help in HuskyCT (on the Institution Page) or contact the university Technology Support Center at techsupport@uconn.edu or 860-486-4357.

Sincerely,
[name by which you want students to address you]

Subject: Welcome to [Course]!

Dear Students,

My name is [name by which you want students to address you]. As your instructor, I welcome you to [course]! I’m looking forward to working with you to explore [general topics] during this term. The course will begin on [date]. The online course is currently open in HuskyCT.

Access the Course:

1. Access HuskyCT by navigating to lms.uconn.edu and logging in.
2. On the left menu, select Courses.
3. Select [course, as listed in HuskyCT]. (If the course is not listed, you may need to adjust the term to Upcoming Courses.)
4. Once in the course, the Course Orientation is the first module.

Syllabus & Course Orientation: Please begin the Course Orientation, which includes the course syllabus and schedule [link to or attach syllabus and schedule]. Refer to the syllabus for required materials you will need to purchase prior to the start of class and instructions for purchasing those materials. The course orientation will familiarize you with required technology and course expectations. You will also have the opportunity to introduce yourself to the class and meet your classmates. I will be available beginning the first official day of the course.

Course Structure: If you are new to online courses, it’s worth taking the time to also go over the various parts of the course. Course content is delivered in weekly modules that consist of [customize: lectures, readings, activities, and discussions]. Each new module will be released every [day of the week]. You will also find several assignments throughout the course. There are [customize: two exams, a mid-term and a final exam], in this course. Once the course begins, I will be using announcements for reminders, comments, and other course-related communications. Please check the announcement regularly!

Time Commitment: As an online course, this course requires self-direction, motivation, collaboration, and organization. This course also requires the same workload per credit hour as a face-to-face course. You should expect to spend approximately [X to Y, based on the University’s Credit Hour Policy] hours per week working and learning in this course. Class participation is required and expected. This course is not self-paced. Although there is greater flexibility for “when” you may complete coursework online, there are required due dates. Please plan your time accordingly.

Instructor Availability & Help: Again, the course is opened early for your benefit. I will not be available until the official first day of classes. If you have any technical issues navigating HuskyCT, please use Student Help in HuskyCT (on the Institution Page) or contact the university Technology Support Center at techsupport@uconn.edu or 860-486-4357.

Sincerely,
[name by which you want students to address you]

Example from KINS 6425 – Special Topics in Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan

Subject: KINS 6425 Module 2 Wrap-up

Hi All,

What a terrific discussion last week! Your reflective essays were equally well done. [Provides feedback] A terrific start to our semester together. [The informal social greetings and use of “our” facilitates instructor presence] Compared to classes in the past, when considering the final list of the top three in the US and the world, low and behold there is really no consensus among you with the exception of the following:

1. In the US physical activity/the built environment emerged at the top of your list followed by CVD, cancer, hypertension, and Alzheimer’s disease. The surprise concern on the list for some of you was hypertension both in the US and the world;
2. Globally, a point of consensus was the list varied depending on the type of country developing or developed. Nonetheless, CVD, diabetes, and nutrition under and over emerged as your top choices.
3. Last, although not at the top of the list, the future estimates about the prevalence of mental health were eye catching as were your points made about the stigma relating to seeking treatment. [Wraps-up discussion post by highlighting key points]

Classes very relevant to our discussions this week are Module 4: Weight Stigma in Health Care by Dr. Puhl, Module 8: The Exercise Paradox by Dr. Taylor, Module 9: Chronic Emergency by Professor Buckley, and Module 11: Health-Related Issues of Global Warming which maybe the biggest health concern of all that did not make our list. [Facilitates transition from one topic to the next] Stay Tuned!!!

Dr. P.

Send during the last week of the course.

Hello Class,

I hope that you will be able to find about 15 minutes to complete the Student Experience of Teaching (SET) and internal “Final Survey.” We rely upon your anonymous feedback to guide our continuing efforts to make this class worth the time and money you (and in many cases, your employers) invest. Whether your feelings about the class are positive, negative, or mixed, please take a few minutes to let us know.

Thanks,
[name]

Send on the last day of the course (or soon after).

Hello Class,

It’s hard to believe that today is the last day of [course]! It has been a pleasure working with you all. [Optional: Include any last reminders for assessments due by the end of the day. Share some highlights from the course, such as a few key takeaways or a quick summary of how far students have come since the beginning of the course.]

If you haven’t already, please take about 15 minutes to complete the Student Experience of Teaching (SET) and internal “Final Survey.”

The course will remain available until [date 3 weeks after the end of fall/spring semester or 2 weeks after the end of summer/winter session]; be sure to download or print any work you’d like to save before then.

I wish you the best of luck moving forward, and please reach out if I can be of any assistance.

Thanks,
[name]