Can I do it?

Yes! You can use Canvas to add a “Don’t drop me!” announcement and syllabus quiz to your course. Since “No Shows” are reported after the 2nd day of the quarter, it is essential for students to (a) know the consequences of non-participation and (b) know exactly how they can avoid getting dropped as a No Show.

This tip aligns with sections 1 & 5 of the BTC Course Design Tool. Specifically, the tip helps to provide “a welcoming and clear syllabus that is available to students on the first day“, “easy to find instructions describing how to get started and where to ask questions”, and “regular and substantive interaction (RSI)”.

How do I do it?

Post an Announcement in your Canvas course!

Inform your students of the No Show drop policy.
Clearly state what they need to do to avoid being dropped (Syllabus quiz, show up on first day, etc.).
Pin recent announcements to your course home page so your students see them as soon as they open the course.
Create your announcement ahead of time and schedule it to post on the first day of the quarter.

Create a Syllabus Quiz!

Convey the time sensitive nature of completing the quiz in the title (ex. Day 1 “Don’t drop me!” quiz).
What do you most want students to get from your syllabus on day 1? Use that as inspiration for your questions.
- How do students contact the instructor with questions?
- What is the late work policy for the course?
- What are the course learning objectives?
- Or any other questions you deem important.
Consider including an open-ended question asking students what they hope to learn and/or what experience they have in the subject.

Please don’t hesitate to contact eLearninghelp@btc.edu if you need additional ideas and tools to ensure Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI), which is a Dept of Ed requirement for all online courses.