Start Here Module

Recommended Practice

Reasoning

The "Start Here" module is a learning module that is designed to introduce the student to course policies and other matters before instruction begins.

The content in this area will be reviewed with each instructor for each course as needs might be slightly different across courses. Standard items in the Start Here module are explained below.

 

 

This module allows the student to become familiar with the course policies, course structure, and course function to prevent problems during instruction. For example, if you use audio lectures in your course, do the students have the technology to hear the audio? If not, this gives them time to fix the problem. Think of this as a "pre-flight" check for the students.

It's recommended that you allow a 2-3 days for the students to complete this module before you begin instruction.

Standard Items in Start Here

Page
Purpose and Examples
Overview Page The overview page guides the student through the activities in this module. See example.
Course Structure The course structure page explains how the course is organized and what the different GeorgiaVIEW tools do in your course. See HTML example.
Course Schedule The course schedule outlines all instructional events, the start/end dates, and the assessment start/end dates. See HTML example. || See more information about the course schedule.
Syllabus The syllabus should contain university and departmental policies, grading policies, and anything else germane to your course. It should NOT contain the course schedule. See specific requirements for syllabi per the Provost's office.
Communication Rules The communication rules page explains communication protocol for your course. See HTML example.
Technology Requirements The technology requirements page indicates to your students what technology they will need in order to participate successfully in your course. There are also links in this section to the GeorgiaVIEW Help Desk where they can seek help in case of problems. Troubleshooting technology problems is not something you should have to do. See HTML example.
Student Introductions The student introductions instructions asks your students to introduce themselves to each other in the Discussion: Introduction: Start Here area. (See below.) This is considered an ice breaker to get the students talking to each other. This promotes a sense of community for the class. See HTML example.
Discussion: Start Here This is the discussion area where the students can introduce themselves and ask question if they have any.
About You Survey The About Your Survey is where you can gather data about your students. It's kind of like handing out an index card the first day of class so you can gather data on them.
Self-Test on Start Here Module You can give the students a quiz on the Start Here module to see if they have actually read through the Start Here material. Before they take the actual quiz (for a grade), you want to give them a chance to test their ability to pass the quiz. The self-test and the quiz can have exactly the same questions and answers since this is mainly to expose them to information that you deem important.
Quiz on Start Here Module The quiz will test them on their knowledge of the material in this area. It's graded, but with a low weight. You will need to write up the questions you want to ask the students.
Evaluation of Module This is a survey where the students get to give you feedback on their experience in this module. This is known as formative feedback. It helps with course design and student satisfaction.