Start-of-Semester Student Message Draft


Contacting Students Before the Semester Starts

It is recommended, particularly for fully online courses, to provide students with some basic information before their first class activity. Below is a sample of a start-of-term message that can be sent to all students registered for your course in the myUCF Roster. Step-by-step directions are provided at the bottom of this page. Please feel free to add to or edit this document for your use. 

Read more about Using a Course Start-Up Message to Improve Student Outcomes.

Hello Students,

I am <faculty name> and I will be your instructor for <course title and section>.

Our first class meeting is <insert date here> in <room location>. Before our first class, please check to make sure that any computers or devices that you will use to participate in our course are up to speed. Because it’s built using web standards, our online course management system, Webcourses@UCF, runs on any device with a current browser: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-1284

To help you get off to a great start, here are the first steps you’ll need to take for our course: 

Course Start Details 

Face-to-Face/Mixed-Mode: 

Online: 

    • Class opens online: <Start Date/Time>
    • If you have any technical issues or problems logging into the course, please contact: Webcourses@ucf.edu - Make sure to put your last name and the course number in the subject line

Logging On to Webcourses 

  • First time users: If this is your first time using Webcourses, be sure to do the Student Tour before you log-in
  • All other students may proceed to log in to Webcourses@UCF 

Accessing Your Course 

  1. Go to the Dashboard or the Courses tab.
  2. Click on the course. 

NOTE: If you do not see our course listed, check in myUCF (https://www.my.ucf.edu) to make sure that you are registered. If you are successfully registered, please wait 24 hours before contacting me to make sure that your access isn’t just delayed. 

Troubleshooting 

  • Difficulty with myUCF, contact the UCF Service Desk at (407) 823-5117.
  • Problem with your personal computer, contact the Technology Commons at (407) 823-4357.
  • Issues after you are logged into our course, contact Webcourses@UCF Support using the online form. 

Active Military or Out of USA 

Please contact me so we can discuss technology needs and assignment timelines. Visit the UCF’s Office of Military and Veteran Student Success web page for information on support services.  

Looking forward to an awesome class together! 

<instructor name> 

Note to Spectrum Users Only:  

If you use Spectrum to connect to the Internet, please run the speed test since these networks sometimes have trouble connecting to UCF systems. If you have low quality of service, please contact the UCF Service Desk at 407-823-5117.  

Optional Proctoring Information for Students

Respondus LockDown Browser plus Monitor is the proctoring solution available in all academic courses at UCF. The LockDown Browser limits external access while completing an online assessment within Canvas. If Monitor is enabled, a webcam and microphone is required to record activity throughout the duration of each assessment. If you do not have a webcam, there are computers with webcams in the UCF library, or you can visit the LibTech desk at the library to check one out. Please note that these computers cannot be reserved ahead of time. It is your responsibility to ensure that you will have access to a computer with a webcam and know how to log into and use the LockDown Browser prior to the time that the test begins. For more information, visit Proctoring Resources for Students at UCF.  

Optional Lecture Capture Information for Students

This course will utilize lecture capture with Panopto. All recorded lectures will be available via the Panopto Videos link in the course navigation menu. Please ensure that your computer meets the minimum viewing requirements. Contact Webcourses@UCF Support if you need assistance with Panopto.

How to Email Students from the Class Roster in myUCF:

  1. Log in to the myUCF portal using your NID and NID password.
  2. Click on Faculty/Advisor Self Service.
  3. Click on Instructors.
  4. Next, select View My Teaching Schedule. Your assigned courses will be displayed.
  5. To the left of each course is the My Class Roster column. Click on the icon next to course where you want to send a student message.
  6. At the bottom of the page, click Select All..
  7. Click the Notify All Students button. Enter the subject and body of your message. We suggest typing out the message beforehand and copy-and-paste it into the message, so the system does not time out while you are composing.
    • Note: You cannot add an attachment using the myUCF Roster.
  8. Click the Send Notification button.