best_practices_welcome_letter.docx
Updated: 1/8/2015
Welcome Letter Best Practices
A welcome letter is one of the first documents that students will see about you and
your course. It is an excellent way to greet your students and introduce yourself to the
class. A welcome letter will help to provide a sense of connection between you and
the students. Keep the tone of the welcome letter warm and inviting. An introduction
will help you meet QM 1.8 - A self-introduction by the instructor is appropriate
and available online.
Your welcome letter can be presented in one of the following format, or a mixture of
them all:
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A self-introduction letter (Emailed one-two weeks before the start of the semester
or a linked document in Blackboard)
A self-introduction discussion (Discussion Board)
A self-introduction video (Embedded video: linked in Blackboard and/or shared via
email.)
Welcome Letter Option 1: Self-Introduction
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Information introducing yourself to the students. QM 1.8: Instructions make clear
how to get started and where to find various course components.
 Background academic information
 An image of yourself
 Your teaching philosophy
 Personal hobbies, interests, pets, etc.
 How the students should address you
 Your role in the course
Welcome Letter Option 2: Initial Course Details
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Information on how to get started in the course (send a week or two prior to the
start of the semester). As stated in QM 1.1: Instructions make clear how to get
started and where to find various course components. The blank template sample
is complete for you…all you have to do is fill in the blanks to fit your course.
 Welcome statement to students
 Paragraph on course communications
 Paragraph on how to access the course and obtaining any login credentials
 Section on how to begin the course (BEGIN HERE template is provided for
you and is linked in the Blackboard course shell), which includes
required/recommended text information, required software, etc.
 Paragraph on course navigation
 Paragraph on discussion protocol
 Paragraph on technical support
 Conclusion paragraph
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best_practices_welcome_letter.docx
Updated: 1/8/2015
Reminder for Section 508: ADA Compliance/Quality Matters Standard
8: Accessibility
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Videos with audio should be captioned.
Audio files need to have text transcripts.
Images should include alternative text and/or descriptions.
Hyperlink text should be self-describing.
Color should not be used to convey meaning.
Tables should include row and column headers.
Ensure navigation and multimedia ease of use, alternate means of access to
course materials, accessible information regarding access to all technologies, and
design appropriately for easy readability.
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