Communication is Key
Communicating with your students is important in any learning mode but consistent communication is extremely important in an online learning environment. For some students, communication with their instructor is their only connection with the institution and without that, students often feel isolated. In addition to providing individual feedback on assignments, there are many ways to create and continue the feeling of community in an online course between the instructor and the students, the students with each other, and the student with their course materials.
Ways to Communicate with Your Students Through Moodle
News & Announcements Forum
This forum type is ideal for reaching all students with your information because messages you post will will be sent to the individual student emails and they will also remain available in the forum throughout the semester, as an archive for the class.
For example, use this forum to welcome students to the course and let them know what they need to do to get started. * This is a good place to notify students about any changes or clarification for the syllabus, course schedule, materials, etc. You can also use this forum to reach out and ask the class how they are doing and remind students how to contact you.
*Note this forum is for use once the course has been set to Show to students otherwise the message remains in the course.
Introductory Forums
Whether online or in the classroom consider an introductory forum that requires students to provide some information about themselves. Think about changing up the questions as students move through course levels so that they are providing different information as they near graduation and beyond.
Discussion Forums
Notifications
See thethese technical instructions for usingUsing theseMoodle toolTools into the article CommunicatingCommunicate with Your Students in Moodle