1. Explore the Resources: In the accompanying "Resources" folder, you'll find:

   • Communicating with Students Template: A filled-out example and a blank template for your use.

   • Sample Emails to Students: A collection of email templates for various scenarios.

2. Craft Your "First Day" Email: Using the templates as inspiration, write a mock "first day" email you'd send to students new to your hybrid course. Be sure to include:

   • A warm welcome and introduction.

   • Key course information (schedule, technology requirements, etc.).

   • How students can reach you and each other.

   • Tips for success in a hybrid environment.

3. Upload to Padlet Discussion Board:

   • Click on the "+" icon on the Padlet board.

   • Paste your email draft into the text box.

   • Add a title like "First Day Email - [Your Name]."

4. Engage with Others:

   • Read and comment on at least TWO of your classmates' email drafts. Offer constructive feedback, suggestions, and praise.

I’m Dr. (Your Name) and I’m excited to start this journey with you as we spend the semester thinking and talking through Social Problems - what they are, why they persist, and how they might be engaged. Will you permit me a minute or two to provide some general information that will prove helpful as we get started? 

The course content, as well as our schedule, is available in Moodle. This course uses an open-resource textbook, which means the information is available to you at no cost. You should not have to pay to access any content included in the course. If you find yourself prompted to pay for something, reach out and let me know. 

As you know (or perhaps you don’t), this is a hybrid course. This means we will meet together once a week in the classroom (9:30-10:45 on Tuesdays in room 2R0) and then have additional content and opportunities to interact online the rest of the week. Since the course is hybrid, it’s important for you to check Moodle daily for any course updates and keep an eye on your email as well. I’ll do everything I can to make you aware of where we are in the course with respect to due dates and content, but ultimately it’s up to you to stay on top of these. I’ve also included a handout with this email that has some additional tips for success in hybrid courses. 

If you have questions or need to reach me about anything related to the course, you can catch me during my office hours (_____ to _____ on ____) or via email through the course. When you reach out, be sure to include a subject line and specific information about the class in which you are enrolled. Remember, you will also have plenty of opportunity to engage with your peers through discussions and other interactions both in class and on Moodle. 

One last quick thing - if you haven’t had a chance yet to complete the quick “Stuff About Me” form, take a couple of minutes to let me know a bit about you as we get started. Here’s the link: ________.

Here we go!

JH

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to ENGL-1113!

I am Professor Alva, and I will be your instructor this term. This course will be meeting every Monday morning, from 9:30am-10:45am. Your required textbook, (fill in the blank), is available through Day One Access. I am available via email (provide email), and respond generally within an hour to all emails. My office hours are another way to reach me, on Tuesdays, from 11:45am-1:45pm. You can also send messages to me, as well as your classmates, right inside Moodle. I encourage you to reach out and ask questions as we navigate this hybrid course. This kind of course will require more online involvement, but we will still have a face-to-face class, where you can ask questions, get help with assignments, or get clarity on tough subjects. I also strongly urge you all to create a schedule framed around the assignments due to help you pace yourself, and to make use of all online aids, such as the library, the writing center, and other online tutoring serves as needed. As we will only see each other once a week, you may find yourself needing more help, and these resources are a great way to get that help.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Hi Everyone!

If you are receiving this email it is because I have you listed as a student in the upcoming Introduction to Public Speaking class at OCCC, which will begin on Monday, June 2nd. My name is Professor Henderson and I have the privilege of teaching this class! We will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00am to 12:20pm from June 2nd through July 27th in the Visual/Performing Arts building, room 121.

I know some of you may be a little nervous about taking this class. If so, you aren’t alone! Did you know that 75% of people say that their number one fear is public speaking? That’s why discussing tips and tricks for overcoming that fear is just one of the many aspects we will cover in this class.

As you prepare for our first class session, please make sure you have a reliable computer with internet access. The free, open source textbook we will be using, as well as many of your assignments, will be found and submitted on Moodle, which is the class platform that OCCC uses. This 8-week course is a hybrid one, which means a portion of our time will be spent together in class, giving presentations and doing other activities together, and the other portion will be spent working online. I highly recommend that you watch the “Welcome Video” and take some time this week to familiarize yourself with Moodle so you feel prepared and ready to go when we meet next week. It will be very important for you to check Moodle and your email frequently to ensure you are keeping up with all assignments and any updates or communication I send out.

If you have any questions or need to reach me during our time together, you can either email me, or make an appointment with me during my office hours on _________ from __________ to _________.  I look forward to meeting all of you and to getting started on our journey together in Public Speaking!

Sincerely,

Professor Henderson

First Day Email

Hello My Brilliant and Amazing Composition II Students!

Welcome to the course! My name is Marcia Shottenkirk, and I'm so excited that you're here. I hope you're ready to learn some new things and put some new skills to use.

I've been teaching college English Composition courses since 2009, and I want you to know that this class provides not only knowledge for you to be successful in your future academic courses, but it also provides lots of real-world, practical knowledge for you to leave with as well. I, myself, was a student in this course many moons ago, so I understand where you are now. It was my OCCC Composition professor and mentor, Clay Randolph, who changed my life with this course.

It is my goal that each one of you is successful, so please remember I am always here for you.

One word of advice moving forward: You'll get out of this class what you choose to put into it. Easier said than done, right? I know you're likely busy juggling school, work, family and friends, and other commitments. But, right now, you're signing up to make an investment in yourself. And I know without a doubt that you can do it, if you give yourself the time to do so. This course helps you build a baseline of knowledge for your other college courses, and, like I said, you'll be amazed at how the skills you learn will benefit you in your personal and professional life, too. 

Be sure to glance through the syllabus and schedule. Those will help you more than you know. Since this is a hybrid course, we will have two regular live class meetings each week and more content available to you online, to work on between class sessions.

Let’s make every effort to see each other at those class sessions and workshop your writing together. For the “in between” class sessions, we’ll devise a plan to help you manage your time best and get answers to any questions you may have.

And, if and when life gets in the way of your coursework, please reach out to me. I understand that sometimes circumstances are out of your control. Just talk to me. We'll figure it out.

With that said, I look forward to meeting each and every one of you.

Ever onward, always learning --

MS