What
Examples
Why

What is B2: Regular and Effective Contact?

"The course design includes regular instructor-initiated contact with students using CMS communication tools."

Effective communication tools

Teachers are required by state and federal law to provide regular contact that is effective and substantive. It's covered in Standard B2. The definition of regular and effective/substantive is vague, so you have latitude. Generally, to qualify your communication must be

Teacher-initiated. (Responding to student inquiries is insufficient.)
Academic in nature. ("Good work" does not count. Substantive feedback offering methods for improvement is sufficient.)
At least once weekly.

MPC has a regular and substantive communications policy is in the MPC Faculty Handbook 2019-2020.

Aligned courses will demonstrate a clear plan for consistent instructor-initiated contact using CMS tools. Exemplary courses build on this by offering many opportunities for contact through a wide range of communication tools, such as announcements, discussions, online conferencing, and others. When you're looking for evidence of B2, your first strategy should be looking to the obvious places you would expect to find communication policies--for example, the syllabus, the home page, or a page in the orientation unit with "contact" or "communication" in the page title. Classroom and online instructors inherently initiate and maintain communication with students. It is important for online instructors to let students know how and when they can expect to hear from you.

Examples

Below is an example of a "communication plan." Feel free to customize to suit your individual course. For example, short (under 3 minutes) weekly video check-ins are a great idea but if you won't be using those, remove that section.

NOTE: Many instructors might be using this page as a model. You may want to edit the two introductory paragraphs so they're more in your own words just so your students don't come across the exact same text in multiple courses.

[Page Title, something like: How Will We Be Connecting? OR Our Communication Plan]

I value an interactive and personal learning environment and I intend to harness the technological tools available to us to communicate with you in a variety of ways.

I want to make sure you know that you're not alone in the course. I care about you, I care about the challenges you face, and I care about supporting your learning. Here are some of the ways I'll connect with you throughout the semester:

"Introduction" Discussion

Think of this discussion [LINK TO YOUR INTRO DISCUSSION] as our first class period. It's the first time that we'll virtually *meet* and start getting to know each other as unique and multifaceted individuals. [If this is a required activity, let them know.]

Module Discussions

I monitor these discussions daily and will chime in with opinions and clarifications as it seems appropriate. The Student Q&A forum is where I encourage you to post general questions about the class - and feel free to answer someone's question when you can!

Weekly Video-Check In

Every week, I'll record a brand new video for you where I briefly preview that week's module. I might also share a story, recommend an app, give props to a class member, or mention something about [YOUR COURSE TOPIC]I saw in the news.

Gradebook Feedback

Not only will you find your grades and rubric scores in our gradebook [LINK TO GRADEBOOK], I also use the comments feature to ask questions and spark further conversations about your ideas and contributions. I do my best to grade assignments and offer feedback within 5-7 days.

Announcements

When I come across information I think will be valuable for you, I'll post it as an announcement. [LINK TO ANNOUNCEMENTS] Some of these posts relate to [YOUR COURSE TOPIC] specifically, but some will feature useful resources that will help you as a student or as a human being. If we need to make any changes to our semester schedule, I'll also post these in the announcements area.

Weekly Office Hours

I set aside XX hours each week to be available to you if you need me. Check out this semester's syllabus [LINK TO SYLLABUS] for specific days and times. [You could also put the info right here so they don't have to click anywhere else. And If you'll be using Zoom or some other video conferencing software for office hours, let them know.]

Canvas Mail

inbox If I need to get a hold of you this semester, I'll contact you through Canvas mail. You can access this feature by clicking "Inbox" in the left-hand global navigation bar.

I respond to email within XX hours, Monday through Friday. I reserve the right to wait until Monday to reply to messages sent over the weekend. ;-) Please include the course name and section number in the Subject Line (e.g., ENG 101, Sec. 1129).

Why

It's About Student Success

Regular and effective contact is a California Title 5 educational requirement that requires instructors to incorporate instructor-initiated, regular, effective contact into online and hybrid course design and delivery.

Meaningful Regular and Effective Contact can improve student learning and is the first step to "humanizing" your course.

MPC's Regular and Effective Instructor Contact in Online Course:

In accordance with Title 5 regulations, any portion of a course conducted through distance education must include regular and effective contact between instructor and students. Regular and effective contact can be accomplished through a variety of activities such as group or individual meetings, orientation and review sessions, supplemental seminar or study sessions, field trips, library workshops, or correspondence including (but not limited to) telephone contact, voice mail, e-mail, or chat. It is the responsibility of the instructor in a distance education course to initiate regular contact with enrolled students to verify their participation and performance status. The use of the phrase “regular and effective contact” in this context suggests that students should have frequent opportunities to ask questions and receive answers from the instructor of record.

Recent changes to Title 5 also require the teacher to include opportunities for regular student to student interaction.

Meaningful interaction distinguishes a Distance Education course from a Correspondence Course, which does not qualify for financial aid. Teachers are expected to interact with students weekly by offering instructional content and activities, answering questions, monitoring students, and providing feedback.

Also

Instructors have an important role to manage the flow of content and support social interaction in a course. When instructors actively participate in their course, they typically find an increase in student engagement. Research has shown significant correlations between strong instructor presence and higher student participation as well as increased student satisfaction. Instructors can interact with their students in a variety of ways including prompt assignment feedback, engaging in student discussions, and announcements.

Let students know a clear time frame for your communications (email, assignment feedback, discussions) in your description of how they can contact you.

This work is a derivative of the @ONE POCR course & @ONE Introduction to Course Design by @ONE (Online Network of Educators) is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 license and is made possible through funding from the California Community College Chancellor's Office.

Please be sure to view all tabs before clicking Next.