Welcome Email to Online Students

Things that surprised me when I started teaching online:

• Some students email you weeks before the class starts. They want to get the materials and a syllabus before I'm done creating it.
• Some students need you to remind them when the class starts and what to do or they waste a week of class not logged in and missing the orientation activities.

So I decided several years ago to send out an email to all students registered for the course a week in advance. I tell the first group that the email is coming soon and stay posted. And most of the second group has a better idea of what to do.

I send out the letter below with a detailed instruction sheet for how to access the course website and a copy of the syllabus.

Here's the letter:

Hello students!

If you are receiving this email, you are registered in one of the online courses I am teaching in the Fall 2012 semester! Class begins Tuesday, September 4th! 

Class Meetings: Math 125 does not meet face to face at all as a class.

Books and Materials you need:We will be http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/using a website that includes an online textbook, videos, homework, quizzes and more. I will provide you with access information on the first day of classes - TUESDAY via the BCC eLearning website. (bristolcc.angellearning.com).  The information is also in the second attachment.
You will need to purchase access to Course Compass. Unless the price has changed, access is $78 and can be purchased with a credit or debit card or PayPal. You can also buy the code in the bookstore, but they have added an additional mark up to the cost. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE A HARD COPY OF THE TEXTBOOK, BUT YOU CAN IF YOU WISH TO HAVE ONE. (Since you have any updates on the website, an older edition is fine).

Textbook for Math 125:  A Survey of Mathematics with Applications (9^th Edition) by Angel, Abbott, Runde.YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE A HARD COPY OF THE TEXTBOOK, BUT YOU CAN IF YOU WISH TO HAVE ONE. (Since you have any updates on the website, an older edition is fine).

What will it be like to take an ONLINE MATH COURSE?   I will use a mix of video mini-Lessons, readings from the textbook, concept activities with discussion board responses, and an online homework and quiz management system. In Math 125, you’ll be writing two brief papers about Mathematics/Mathematicians and taking your exams online.

 WARNING: Online mathematics courses are intended for students with high-speed internet access.  You can use campus computers for high-speed internet access if you do not have it at home.

Another WARNING: During a standard 15-week semester, an online course requires a minimum time commitment of 12 hours per week. If you do the math, 12 hours divided by 6 days (one day off for good behavior), you will see this works out to at least 2 hours per day.  If you do not have this time in your schedule, you may want to consider signing up for a face to face section of this course. Of course, time will vary due to your own ability with mathematics, connection speed, etc.

You’ll find some system requirement information here: http://pearsonmylabandmastering.com/system-requirements/ 

I’m looking forward to starting the new semester with you.
Inspired Math Professor

Any comments and suggestions are welcomed!