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First Day of Class Prep

Ace your first day of class with tips and tricks on how to set up and organize Connect for your course.

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Connect & LMS Integration

Hear from a fellow instructor on the benefits of integrating Connect with your LMS.

Homework Assignments in Connect

Learn how to assign homework in Connect so you can better track your students' class performance.

Assign SmartBook in Connect

Hear about assigning SmartBook assignments to help you plan your class lessons for your students.

Syllabus Best Practices

Get useful tips and information about Connect that you can copy paste directly into your syllabus to help get your students registered for Connect.

 

Download Syllabus Guide →

FDOC Definitive Checklist

This handy FDOC checklist will keep you organized as you get ready to kick off your first day of class!

Syllabus: Have your syllabus ready to go.

Make sure you have included language in your syllabus to explain what Connect is, how Connect will be used in your course, and how students will register. Check out our Syllabus Best Practices, or contact your local Learning Technology Specialist or Implementation team member for assistance.

Student Orientation: Get students quickly up to speed.

There is content in Connect that has been specifically designed to help orient your students on the different functions they will use. Include this content as part of your first assignment for the term. It includes student-to-student orientation videos that share valuable walkthroughs and useful tips for Connect. Topics include:

a. Navigating Connect And Completing Assignments 

b. Using SmartBook Effectively And Completing Assigned Modules

c. Using Reports Within SmartBook

d. Viewing Feedback After Work Is Graded

Get Instructions on assigning orientation videos →

Connect Introduction: Engage students on the first day of class in your Connect course.

Be prepared to introduce Connect to your students on the first day to ensure they see the value of your Connect course assignments and learning resources, get them registered, show them where to go for help. You can use our FDOC presentation deck or show the FDOC video. Watch this instructor video to get tips on how to explain Connect to your students.

Introduction Quick Tip

Use the Student View in Connect from your instructor account to quickly show students how to navigate through your course.

Tech Support Quick Tip

Ensure you have flash installed on your classroom computer to show LearnSmart and SmartBook.

Introduction Quick Tip

Use the Student View in Connect from your instructor account to quickly show students how to navigate through your course.

Tech Support Quick Tip

Ensure you have flash installed on your classroom computer to show LearnSmart and SmartBook.

Student Registration: Get students registered on day 1.

Ensuring students know how to register for Connect and are familiar with their purchase options allows them to engage in your course assignments right away. We recommend having students register in class. Students can register on their phones (recommend landscape mode), tablets or computers. They can use their access code, purchase online or choose two week courtesy access.

Purchasing Quick Tip

Once they purchase access, they can choose to order a looseleaf text (starting at just $25).

Tech Support Quick Tip

If integrating Connect with your LMS, have your students access through a Connect assignment in your LMS course – do not share the Connect course URL – to ensure a smooth registration.

Student Roster: Monitor student registration.

Check your section roster to ensure that students have successfully registered. You can review account status to see if they are registered and if their access has expired. If using an LMS, check that their accounts are synced.

For more tips on maximizing the Connect experience, 

click here.

"I feel that having Connect assignments each week forces me to study the material and master the concepts taught each lecture, so that I understand the current concepts before moving onto another topic.”

- Kristen B., student, Nova Southeastern University

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Orientation Videos

With all the great learning tools in Connect, it can be a challenge to get students quickly up to speed. To help your students achieve better results, we developed student-to-student orientation videos that provide valuable walkthroughs and useful tips!

 

Located within Connect, these assignable videos teach students how to locate learning resources, complete assignments, use SmartBook, and utilize the reports – all while emphasizing why these tools are important to their success.

 

To insure students view them, simply assign these orientation videos like you would any other assignment. You can even use them to begin your first day of classes. Getting your students off to a great start has never been easier!

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