Quality of Contact

As described by AP 4105 on distance education, there are multiple means to initiate contact with students. Examples include:

Threaded Discussion Forums (with appropriate instructor participation)
"Questions for the Instructor" forums
General email
Weekly announcements
Timely and frequent feedback for student work
Instructor-prepared electronic lectures or introductions in the form of electronic lectures to any publisher-created materials (written, recorded, broadcasted, etc.) that, combined with other course materials, create the visual equivalent of the face-to-face course section.

In addition to these, we also want to include equity minded practices in all that we do. We want to be intrusive, relational, culturally relevant and affirming, community focused, and race conscious. Although it may seem like a lot, there are little steps that we can do to meet all of these standards. So let's get started with announcements!

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Announcements

Below you will find a recorded video that goes over how to find, create, and post a meaningful announcement. Some things to take note of in this video are making sure that as an instructor you are being positive, validating, humanizing, culturally relevant and always have high expectations.

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Discussions

Ahh online discussions! There are various forms of discussions you can implement in your course. You can have regularly assigned discussions for grades, discussions for fun, or even question and answer forums. The video below will show you how to create discussion forums while keeping an equitable mindset. After the video, there will be the option to participate in a discussion which is explained further below.

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Discussion Activity

On the next page you will find the Discussion Forum Ideas Activity where you will be able to post and share with your colleagues on what kinds of discussions have worked for you in the past!