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Hosting a Welcome Session in Asynchronous Courses
Overview
Even if your course is fully asynchronous, Capitol Technology University requires all faculty to host a Welcome Session during the first week of the term. This live session helps orient students to the course structure, expectations, tools, and your role as their instructor.
This guide outlines how to schedule, prepare for, and host a successful Welcome Session using Capitol Live (Zoom).
Estimated Time to Complete:
- 15 – 30 minutes (setup)
- 30 – 60 minutes (live session)
Instructions
- Schedule the Welcome Session: Use Capitol Live (Zoom) in Canvas to schedule your Welcome Session.
- Go to your course in Learn@Capitol (Canvas)
- Click Capitol Live (Zoom) in the left-hand menu
- Click Schedule a New Meeting
Recommended Settings:
Field | Recommendation |
Topic | Welcome Session: [Course Name] |
When | Choose a time during the first week of classes |
Duration | 30–60 minutes |
Time Zone | Eastern Time (US & Canada) |
Meeting Options |
|
- Click Save when finished.
Need help scheduling? How to Schedule Zoom Meetings via Canvas
- Post an Announcement About the Session: Let students know when and how to join.
Sample Announcement:
Welcome Session: Thursday, August 29 at 6:00 PM ET via Capitol Live (Zoom).
We’ll review the course structure, expectations, and answer any questions you have. Access the session through the Capitol Live (Zoom) tab in our Canvas course.
- Prepare Your Talking Points: Here are common elements to include:
- Welcome & Introductions: Share your background and enthusiasm for the subject
- Course Overview: Syllabus highlights, structure, key deadlines
- Communication Expectations: How to contact you, response time, office hours
- Navigating Canvas: Show students where to find the homepage, modules, assignments, announcements
- Q&A Session: Leave time for students to ask questions
Tip: Share a short slide deck or walk through the Canvas course live.
- Record the Session (Optional but Recommended): If you enable automatic recording or record manually during the session, the link will appear under Previous Meetings in the Capitol Live (Zoom) tab for students who couldn’t attend live.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Solution |
Students say they can’t join | Confirm you scheduled the session in Capitol Live and posted an announcement |
Can’t attend at one time | Offer two time slots or provide the recording afterward |
Zoom meeting doesn’t show in Canvas | Verify Capitol Live (Zoom) is enabled in course navigation |
Still Need Help?
Need help scheduling or hosting your Welcome Session? Additional resources available here: Canvas Zoom Support. Contact the Online Learning team at ask@captechu.edu for assistance.