TEMPLATE - Homepage / Welcome Video

Welcome to NAME OF COURSE

The homepage is a great place to welcome your students to the course, and ensure them they are in the correct place.  A welcome video like the one I've made available to the right is a great way to establish a personal connection between the instructor and students.  

The homepage should have a quick reference information for the course, as well as clearly defined instructions for getting started. Don't assume that students will know where to get started, or how you want them to navigate through your course. Get in the habit of teaching them how you want them to interact with you and the course materials. Providing just one action or instruction on the homepage ensures they will do the right thing first.

Here's an example "getting started" instruction you might provide on your homepage:

Click the button below to see the rest of the items in the Getting Started module. Start by reviewing the syllabus and then click the "next" button at the bottom of each page to move through the modules. You can always get back to the module list by clicking the "modules" link in the course navigation on the left.

 

This getting started button came from PNGmart.com Links to an external site. and then have a whole collection of free getting started buttons.

 

Pro Tip: Keep your homepage simple so students don't get confused or overwhelmed, but after the first week or so you might change your homepage to Modules, or other content or instructions relevant to that week.