1.7 First Week Requirement

Students must establish a record of participation in academically related activities to comply with the first week participation requirement required to receive federal financial aid. NOTE: Logging into the course and not completing an activity or graded item does not meet the first week requirement needed for federal financial aid. Examples include a syllabus quiz, discussion, assignment, exam, or other academically related activity.

Points: 3 (Essential)

Alignment: SI – SACS, Federal Requirement for Financial Aid

Overview

How do you ensure students are actively attending during week 1? Students must establish a record of participation in academically related activities to comply with the first week participation requirement required to receive federal financial aid. Often, students complete a quiz or a discussion to meet this requirement. ​

Include information about key academic dates:

• Add/Drop​
• WN Deadline

Tips

• syllabus quiz
• discussion activity, such as one that allows students to introduce themselves
• assignment
• exam
• other academically related activity

Examples

• HCC Canvas Starter Kit Orientation Module with an example orientation quiz, online orientation assignment, and introductory discussion activity
• Sample syllabus quiz questions

Sample introductory discussion prompt

Learning Outcomes

• Introduce yourself to your peers and instructor
• Create at least two personal learning goals for this course

Instructions

Please share something about yourself and reply to at least two (2) of your peers. Please include the following:

1. Name:
2. Major:
3. My learning goals for this course:
4. My 2 favorite hobbies or interests:

Please respond to at least two of your peers by selecting the “Reply” button below.

Tutorial: How do I reply to a discussion as a student?

Grading Rubric for Discussion

Resources

• Incorporate a syllabus quiz to orient students
• Here are some resources and guidance on designing discussion activities, such as an introductory discussion.
  • There are many reasons to incorporate online discussions in courses, including face-to-face classes.  Here are some sample discussion prompts, discussion rubrics, and discussion expectations to help you with designing effective online discussion activities.  Mastering the art of facilitation is also one key to getting students to participate in online discussions.