A clear course description and clear course policies. Explain your policies and expectations for inclusive classroom behavior, academic misconduct, late work, grades, etc.  Include a reminder for DSP students to contact you about accommodations.

Instructors’ modes of communication (ie. email, Zoom, Piazza), including the time frame students can expect to hear back from you (ie. 24 hours, within a week, weekends/afterhours policies, possibly different prior to major assessments). 

Learning outcomes. What knowledge/skills are expected as prerequisites for the course? What knowledge should students gain and what skills should they build by taking the course? Setting learning goals will help you assess whether your teaching is working and allow students to assess their progress.

Make an introductory video where you show students how to navigate bCourses and discuss how the class will be organized.

Make extensive use of bCourses to deliver material and assignments. Keep files and assignments organized. Use the modules tool or pages to organize links, files, videos and assignments for one topic in one place.

Make assignments available on a consistent basis (i.e., weekly or after lectures). Make modules available one at a time, to keep students from falling behind or feeling overwhelmed. 

Clearly organize concepts into a framework that provides students with the “big picture.” Remind students of the learning goals for each module and how they fit into the learning goals of the class.

Provide rubrics and share examples of “model” work. Rubrics define the skills or knowledge students are expected to demonstrate for an assignment. Share exemplary ‘model’ assignments or discussion posts so students know what to strive for.

Send reminder announcements about due dates or updates to plans for the week.