Welcome Email Tips

Do NOT put your entire syllabus in the email or use this email as an opportunity to go over the syllabus. Save that for day one or Syllabus Review Video. Add the Syllabus as an attachment if needed. Otherwise, add your Syllabus to the course as recommended on the D2L Faculty Start/End Course Checklist.
This Welcome message should be separate from your Course Introduction/10-minute video
- Use your Course Introduction/10-minute video to go over the Syllabus, review the structure/layout of the course on D2L, etc.
This email should:
- be about 250 to 400 words.
- avoid text walls-- use lists when possible. If appropriate, use an image or two.
- set the tone of the course.
- show students your enthusiasm for the course & materials.
- show that you are looking forward to learning with them.
- remind/inform them to sign-up for or purchase programs or other third-party materials (like books or subscriptions to a website).
This message could instead be a short video or some audio that you either link in your email or post to the Syllabus module.
- Email students the link or instructions on how to view the video/listen to the audio.
If you want to, you can open your course earlier and direct students to the Syllabus module. Put the welcoming message, your Syllabus, and any other materials you want students to view before the start of the course in this module.
- You can also put links to or inform students where to get programs, books, or subscriptions to make it easier for students to find the correct materials.
- Make sure that students know where to go to find these materials by emailing them.

Example Email

Hello All!

I am Tyler Kron-Piatek, your instructor for CAN101E: Demonstrator Course! You can find the Syllabus for the course located in the "Syllabus Module" in our D2L Course.

In this course we will be doing a few things:

Going over some tools in D2L
Going over some best practices for teaching (and learning)
And more!

Here are some important due dates (Check the syllabus for a more detailed list of due dates):

Each week, there will be at least one Assignment and one Reading due on Friday, with some exceptions.
Project 1, Due Friday 2/25
Project 1 Presentation, held on 2/28 and 3/2
Project 1 Peer Review, Due Friday, 3/4
[Other Due Dates as Needed]

Some brief expectations (there is more information in the syllabus, but these ones are the most important):

Please be on time for Class. If you are unable to make it on time, please let me know beforehand.
Please hand in all assignments on time! Do not wait until the last minute to hand in an assignment. If you are having issues, Email me!
Be respectful to me and your peers! Follow basic etiquette and you will be fine.
If you have questions, Email me! Do not wait until the last minute before class or when an assignment is due.
An open mind for learning!

What you can expect from me:

Respect and basic etiquette
Email responses within 24 hours, with exceptions to Holidays and weekends
Assignments will be graded within 1 week of their due date and projects within 2 weeks, with exceptions to holidays
An open mind to learn with you

And please do the following before class:

Purchase "D2L for Beginners" by Anon Pseudo, ISBN: 000-0-00-000000-0, available at the Canisius College Bookstore or Amazon.com
Review the Syllabus & take the Syllabus Quiz (found in the Syllabus Module)
Sign-up for and purchase the two subscriptions we will need for class (links are located in the Syllabus Module)
Post to the "Introductions" Discussion Board

Aside from the above, all other course material and activities will be provided by me.

If you have any questions for me, please let me know or post it to the class FAQ.

I look forward to meeting you all and learning with you!

Best,

Tyler

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