Section 1: Course Introduction and Orientation

The course overview and introduction set the tone for the course, let learners know what to expect, and provide guidance to ensure learners get off to a good start. To meet this standard, the overall design of the course is made clear to the learner at the beginning of the course. You may want to also build a welcoming course climate and learning community. ​

Section 1 of HCC’s online course quality rubric contains these standards:

• 1.1 Course Starting Point & Instructions
• 1.2 Overview of Course Organization
• 1.3 Course Purpose Statement
• 1.4 Course Grading Policy
• 1.5 Accessibility Services
• 1.6 Academic Support Services
• 1.7 First Week Requirement
• 1.8 Home Page
• 1.9 College and Course Policies
• 1.10 Prerequisite Knowledge
• 1.11 Instructor Introduction
• 1.12 Student Introductions
• 1.13 Student Privacy and Data Protection