Meet Your Instructor (sample student-facing assignment)

Assignment Overview

Welcome to the course! As part of our first-week activities, I'd like to get to know each of you. You have two options to complete this task:

Meet with me for a few minutes using TechConnect Zoom
Record a short video introduction

I'd like each of you to complete one of these options by the end of the first week. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to introduce yourself (and vice versa!) and share any questions or thoughts you might have as we start this semester together. Completing this task is important for remaining enrolled in the course, as it ensures we begin building a supportive learning environment right from the start. I’m excited to get to know each of you and am here to help with any questions or concerns you might have!

Option 1: Schedule a Meeting with Me via TechConnect Zoom

Feel free to approach this meeting in a way that suits you best:

Camera On or Off: You can have your camera on, off, or even pointed at something comforting like a pet or your favorite mug. Whatever makes you comfortable!
Casual Conversation: This is a no-judgment zone, so there's no need to prepare anything formal. We can chat about the course, your goals, or any questions you might have.
Your Space, Your Choice: Whether you're in your room, at a coffee shop, or outside, just bring yourself as you are. I want this to be as stress-free as possible.

If you choose to meet with me virtually, please follow these steps to schedule an appointment:

Access TechConnect Zoom:

- Click on the “TechConnect Zoom” link in the course navigation menu.

Select an Available Time Slot:

- View available appointment slots and select a time that works for you. I've opened up evening and Saturday slots to accommodate as many as possible!

Confirm Your Appointment:

- Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your appointment.

For a detailed guide on scheduling an appointment using TechConnect Zoom, please visit this resource: Student Guide to Using TechConnect Zoom in Canvas Links to an external site..

Option 2: Record a Short Video Introduction

If you prefer, you can share a brief video using your webcam or smartphone. You may record yourself, or record a pet, a view, a walk, a piece of art—whatever you’d like to share (well, anything safe for work). ;-) Here are the instructions:

Video Requirements:

Length: 2-5 minutes, recorded within the last week

In your video, please include the following:

Your Name: Introduce yourself with your name (and pronouns if you're comfortable sharing).

Your Major: Let me know what your major is (if you have one), or share any academic interests you have.

About You: Share anything you'd like me to know about you—this could be a hobby, a fun fact, or something you're passionate about.

Feedback Preferences: Tell me how you prefer to receive feedback—whether it's audio, video, or written—and any specific preferences you have regarding feedback style. For example, do you appreciate lots of constructive criticism, or do you prefer focusing on one thing at a time?

Questions or Expectations: Feel free to include any questions you have about the course or share your expectations for our class. Your input is valuable and helps me tailor the course to better meet your needs.

How to Submit Your Video:

To complete this assignment, you may use a computer with a webcam or the free Canvas mobile app on your smartphone.

To submit your assignment from your computer, follow these steps

Prepare Your Content:

- Take some notes to gather your ideas or just consider what you’d like to say in your video.

Open the Assignment:

- Select the assignment titled “Meet the Instructor.”

Access the Rich Content Editor:

- Click the “Submit Assignment” button to open the Rich Content Editor.

Record or Upload Media:

- In the Rich Content Editor toolbar, locate and select the Record/Upload Media button.

- Choose the Upload/Record Media option.

Record Your Video:

- To record directly:

- - Select the Record tab.

- - Enable your webcam and microphone.

- - Click the Start Recording button to begin.

- - When finished, click Finish and then Save Media.

Upload a Pre-recorded Video (Optional):

- If you have already recorded a video, you can link to it by adding a YouTube URL (be sure I’ll be able to open it, and set to “unlisted” for privacy)

- Or upload it:

- - Choose the Upload tab.

- - Drag your video file into the upload area or click to browse your computer for the file.

Submit Your Assignment:

- Once your media is ready, click the “Submit Assignment” button.

- Please note that it may take a few minutes for the file to finish uploading, especially if the file is large.

Confirmation:

- After submission, you'll receive a confirmation that your assignment was submitted successfully.

Tips for a Successful Submission:

Stable Internet Connection: Make sure you have a reliable internet connection to avoid interruptions during uploads.

File Size: Ensure your video file does not exceed the Canvas file size limit (usually 500 MB).

Browser Compatibility: Use Chrome or Firefox for the best experience, as Safari may have compatibility issues with media recording in Canvas

Canvas Guide: How Do I Record Media Using the RCE? Links to an external site.

To participate with your mobile device, follow these steps

Grading & Feedback

This assignment will be marked complete or incomplete; completion by the end of Week 1 is a requirement to remain in the course.

If you submit a video, I will respond using your preferred communication style within three days (usually sooner!)

Canvas Guides

Here are some Canvas guides you can use to help you submit your assignment.

OEI Rubric Alignment

This template was designed to assist in aligning content with the course design standards of the OEI Course Design Rubric (2020) Links to an external site.. Utilize the structure and sample language in each of the template blocks to align content with the listed rubric sections.

Instructions for Use

Review the structure and sample language in the template blocks.
Customize each relevant section with course content using the sample language as guidance. Note: some sections or sample language may not be relevant to the course modality or how this template is being used.
Removing a block may decrease alignment with the OEI Rubric. However, to remove an entire non-relevant block, launch the Design Tools toolbar, click "Create/Edit Content," then "Add/Rearrange Content Blocks," then click the red X next to the non-relevant block.
Adjust options as needed.
Click Save/Save & Publish.

For assistance with DesignPLUS features and editing templates, Self-Enroll in our DesignPlus Course or email our Online Education Team

Embedding these instructions was inspired by the RCCD template shared in Canvas Commons