Last revised: 06/04/2019 by dtm
Overview
eCampus provides students enrolled in online courses with information prior to the start of classes. This information prepares them to be successful in an online course.
What information is provided to students prior to the start of an online course?
eCampus curates information available to students on our website. Students receive the following email to direct them to this information:
Dear Student,
Our records indicate that you are registered for a 20XX Summer Session (starting May 13 for May term and Summer Session 3) online course at the University of Connecticut. Please visit our website at this time for information critical to your success in the course (e.g., syllabi, textbooks, policies, help and support information, software, etc.)
https://onlinestudent.uconn.edu/learn-more/
IMPORTANT: Please note that not all faculty provide their course syllabi through eCampus. If you do not see the syllabus for your course, you can contact your instructor for more information. Courses and instructors can be found by navigating to the Student Administration System.
Thank you,
eCampus
How do students receive preparatory information prior to the start of classes?
When students enroll in an online course at UConn, their official contact information is available through the StudentAdmin system. Using this information, the Registrar’s office sends all students enrolled in online courses an email linking to preparatory information created by eCampus. The schedule of email communication is as follows:
- Four weeks prior to the start of any semester (Fall or Spring) or session (Winter, May, Summer), the Registrar’s office sends the email to all students enrolled in an online course
- Three weeks prior to the start of classes, an email goes out to any additional students newly enrolled in an online course
- Two weeks prior to the start of classes, the email is sent daily to any students who enroll in an online course
- The day before the start of classes, the email is again sent to all students enrolled in an online course
- From the first day of classes through the add/drop period ends, an email is snet daily to any students newly enrolled in an online course.
Should faculty also contact students prior to the start of classes?
Though not required, we do recommend that faculty reflect on their online course, their syllabus, and any potential challenges that may arise for students and proactively address these with students through communication prior to the start of classes. Examples might include special assessment or testing requirements, synchronous meetings, specialized materials, software, or technology that will need to be purchased prior to the start of classes. Communicating with students prior to the start of classes is also a great way to develop instructor presence and facilitate community building in an online course.
For additional information on how instructors can better prepare themselves and their students for the online experience, refer to our knowledge base article “Managing Your Online Course”
Related Posts