Step 2: Communicate with Students

It's important that you keep in communication with students so they know what's going on and what to expect for your course. You should provide positive leadership and clear information regarding how the course will be run and updated course requirements/due dates. 

Important Information to Communicate to Students

• Provide information to students about what is happening on campus, including the official Richland page for COVID-19 updates - http://www.richland.edu/coronavirus Links to an external site.
• Provide as much information as you can to students about what your class will look like for the next two weeks. This could include if you are doing online lectures, posting pre-recorded lectures, providing outside video, or posting assigned readings (textbook, articles, PowerPoints, etc).
• Provide an updated schedule for assignments (discussions, papers, homework, quizzes, etc) and when they will be due.
• Let students know what resources are available to them to help them be successful during this time, including:
  • Technical Support - Student Tech Support Links to an external site. 
  • Canvas Guides - https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10701-canvas-student-guide-table-of-contents Links to an external site. 
  • Tutoring - NetTutor (make sure this is enabled in your Canvas Course). Link for students - https://richland.instructure.com/courses/2538210/pages/nettutor-online-tutoring
  • Remote Learning without a Computer - Canvas Mobile app Links to an external site. 
  • Need access to the Internet? Check out these free resources for students - Internet Access
  • Richland Bookstore - Richland's campus bookstore is offering some options to supplement and support your online learning.
• Let students know how you will communicate changes to them, whether it be through the Canvas Inbox (course email) or course announcements.

Communicating with Students in Canvas

Using the Canvas Inbox 

Use the Canvas Inbox to stay in contact with your students. Review What is the Inbox? Links to an external site. and How do I use the Inbox as an instructor? Links to an external site. for more information about using the Inbox tool within Canvas to communicate with students.

Using Announcements in your Course

Announcements Links to an external site. are a great tool for communicating with students about activities or updates in your course. You can also turn on the ability for students to comment on announcements, which turns your announcement into a class conversation!

Using the Chat Tool as an Instructor?

If you prefer using instant messaging to communicate with students, schedule online “office hours” using the Chat tool Links to an external site. in Canvas. Be aware that sensitive information such as grades should not be communicated in Chat because it is viewable by all students in the course.

Configuring Notification Preferences

It's important to make sure you and your students are notified of important course information. Students  should follow the directions in this Canvas User Guide, " "How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as a student" Links to an external site. and faculty should follow the directions in this Canvas User Guide, "How do I set my Canvas notification preferences as an instructor?" Links to an external site. so that the following notifications are set to "Notify me right away."

• Announcement
• Grading
• Submission Comments
• Added to Conversations (Inbox email)
• Conversation (Inbox email) Message

If you have questions or need help with setting notification preferences, please contact TLC staff.

If your students have questions or need help in setting notification preferences, please have them contact Student Tech Support at student.tech@richland.edu.