Title: Course Overview
Course: Templates for Canvas > Section: Course Orientation Module (START HERE)

Welcome!

Welcome to COURSE NAME. <Comment about the purpose of the course, e.g. how it fits within a program and/or field of study.>

1. Meet your instructor.

Name: Title. First Name, Last Name, Degree(s)

Brief Bio: <Written in the first person, include comments on academic background, past experience with teaching online, teaching philosophy, personal information.>

Communication:

- Preferred Method of Communication: <e.g., "email" or "discussion board" etc.>
- Email: Campus email address
- Expected Response Time: 24 hours
- Office Phone: (###) ###-####
- Virtual office hours: <e.g., "By appointment" and include tech used, e.g., "web conferencing">
- Course Announcements: <Describe method of disseminating announcements, e.g., "Check the News widget on the course homepage for the latest course announcements.">

2. Download and read the entire course syllabus.

<Make this entire phrase a link to the syllabus pdf file.>

In the course syllabus you will find in-depth information on the course, such as a description, list of prerequisites, and learning objectives, as well as the schedule and list of course policies.

3. Understand the time requirements for this online course.

You’re transitioning to a new learning environment and we want you to have a rich and successful experience. As such, we want to provide strategies to help you succeed in this course.

We all wear multiple hats and juggle varying roles and responsibilities at home, work, and in the community. We are now adding an additional role, as student, complete with its own requirements and daily demands. To manage these roles and responsibilities, you’ll need a well-considered plan. One of the keys to successfully completing this course is having a plan that will serve as a guide for your time management.

Online courses require you to more actively guide your own learning. You should plan on spending an average of <15> hours per week on the various course components.

Where will you find these <15> hours?

To help you visualize this, create a study schedule to stay on track.

Download the template provided below and create a schedule for when you will devote time to <INSERT COURSE HERE>. Identify and reserve time for reviewing concepts we discuss.

- Learning Calendar Example
- Learning Calendar Template

As you develop your calendar, consider the following:

- Your role as a learner, including where it fits with your other roles.
- Estimate the time requirements for your multiple roles—learning, work, leisure.
- How will you establish a workspace?
- How will your role as a learner affect the time you have available for your job and other interests?
- How will you explain your role as a learner to others (e.g., family, co-workers and friends)?
- To fulfill your learning role, do you need to alter your other roles? If so, in what ways?
- What additional challenges do you anticipate as you reflect on your role as a learner?
- What is needed to resolve them?
- What opportunities emerge as a result of your new role?

Once you have developed a typical weekly schedule, think about how to make the most of your interaction with the other people that influence your learning time. It will be helpful to discuss your learning plan with others needing to understand your undertaking and the time commitment. The learning calendar helps to make this commitment concrete. You’ll need to have the support of these other parties. If you are constantly feeling that you are stealing time when you are working on the course, then your learning will be less and inefficient!

Additionally, you can take the "How to Be Successful in an Online Course" quiz.

This quiz will not only test your knowledge of what it takes to succeed in an online course but also give you helpful tips you can use right away in the course. Access the quiz by selecting “Quizzes” from the course navigation, to the left.

To continue, click the "Next ▶" button near the bottom right of this window.