🟢 Samples: Instructor Introduction
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Click on the titles below to expand and view the instructor introduction samples.
Text with Images - Psychology
Dr. Jessica Waesche
Course Title: Contemporary Behavior Therapy
Modality: W
Main Highlight:
Dr. Waesche created a page in her course, added text and embedded images to introduce herself to her students. In addition to embedding a headshot photo, she also embedded two additional photos to help students get to know a little more about her. She dedicated one page to her instructor introduction.
Instructor Introduction
Welcome! I am Dr. Jessica Waesche and I will be your instructor this semester. I am sure you have a number of questions about me and about this course, and I hope this page will help answer some of those questions. The first thing you might be wondering is “Dr. Waesche, how do you pronounce your name?” The trick is to pronounce it like “the WAY SHE walks.”
You are probably also curious about my background and training in Psychology. I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University. I completed my Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Florida State University. As part of completing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, you are also required to complete a year-long clinical internship. I did my internship at the James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida.
After graduating, I spent some time providing mental health services at Florida State Hospital and conducting research on learning disabilities at the Florida Center for Reading Research. I have also taught classes at Florida State University, Samford University, Birmingham Southern College, and Rollins College. I moved to Orlando in the summer of 2012 when my husband, who also has his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, was hired at the Veteran’s hospital here. That fall I began teaching at UCF as an adjunct instructor (our fancy academic term for part-time) and I became a full-time faculty member in the fall of 2013. I am based at the regional campus in Sanford/Lake Mary, where I teach undergraduate classes and graduate classes in the Clinical Psychology MA program. I am also a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Florida.
Do you have other questions that I haven’t answered? Feel free to send me a personal message here on Webcourses. Or you can click on the Discussions tab on the menu to your left and post a question for me in the “Ask Your Instructor” discussion forum.
Knightro, Knugget, and I hope you all have a great semester!
(Note: Photos below with Knightro and Knugget are from pre-COVID times)
Text Only - Math
Lori Dunlop-Pyle
Course: Mathematics for Calculus - MAC 2147
Modality: M
Main Highlight:
Professor Dunlop-Pyle created created a page in her course which combines her instructor introduction and course introduction on one page. While she does not include an image in her instructor introduction, her students have an opportunity to see and hear her in the course overview video she created for them. (Please note that links to course content have been removed, but remain as blue text.)
Introductions and Getting Started
Instructor Introduction
My name is Ms. Lori Dunlop-Pyle. I have been an instructor in the Department of Mathematics since 1999 and am a graduate of UCF (go Knights!). Over the years I have won multiple teaching awards including an Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award from UCF during spring 2020. I have taught a variety of courses over the years including a math education course. MAC 2147 is an important course in providing a strong foundation in order to begin studying calculus. I hope that I am able to help you see the beauty of mathematics and gain an appreciation for it as we work together over the course of the semester.
I want you to be successful in the course, so it is important that you understand the expectations of the course from the first day. You can read more about course expectations and resources by going to Course Expectations, Resources, and Tips for Succeeding in MAC 2147. Information about my office hours can be accessed here. I am happy to help you to help you during this time. If you are unable to join me during office hours, but would like to meet with me, please let me know and we can set up an appointment.
Course Introduction
I have recorded a brief introductory Panopto video for you to show you how to navigate through WebCourses and find the introductory material for the course. Please note that I recorded the video last year, so the dates I mention for the first week are slightly off (we will start class on Monday, January 10th, not the date stated in the video), and our class meetings will be face-to-face on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; they will not be Zoom meetings. You can access the course introduction video by using this link or on "Panopto Videos" in the navigation menu on the left side of the screen.
This course is a mixed mode course. Consequently, part of your instruction is online here in WebCourses, so we meet for a shorter than scheduled period (12:00 pm - 1:15 pm) on Mondays and Wednesdays. You will access the online portion of the course through WebCourses using your NID and NID password to log in. To learn more about how to use Webcourses watch the Webcourses Student Tour video at https://cdl.ucf.edu/support/webcourses/guides/student-tour/.
In this course we will study algebra and trigonometry to prepare you for the sequence of calculus courses: MAC 2311, MAC 2312, and MAC 2313. I am looking forward to working you starting Monday, August 23rd. I want to provide some guidance before the first day of the semester. First and foremost, I would like for you to understand the structure of this course and its requirements. There will be three face-to-face meetings each week. These meetings will occur Monday and Wednesday from 12:00 PM to 1:15 PM in CB2 0105. On Fridays in which a test is not scheduled, we will have a regular class meeting in CB2 0105 from 12:00 PM-1:50 PM which will include recitation with a graded assignment in the same room. In addition to the face-to-face meetings, I will provide additional resources through asynchronous Panopto videos. The videos can be accessed by clicking on "Panopto Videos" in the navigation menu on the left side of the page or through links in the weekly modules for each topic of material.
Note that since MAC 2147 is a five credit hour course, it will have a large time commitment of at least 10-15 hours (2-3 hours for each credit hour) per week outside of our face-to-face meetings. This course is only one credit hour short of being equivalent to taking two three-credit-hour courses, so consequently, this is a work intensive course.
For more information about Zoom, WebCourses, Panopto, etc. please click on "Keep Learning" in the navigation menu to the left. It contains much useful information to help you become acquainted with online tools we will use.
Textbook and Online Homework
The required textbook for this class is Calculus Volume 2 by Gilbert Strang and Edwin “Jed” Herman through OpenStax. This is a free textbook that can be viewed or downloaded from https://openstax.org/details/books/calculus-volume-2
The homework will be completed using Knewton Alta, a personalized adaptive learning (PAL) system.
Accessing the Course and Homework
This course is mixed mode (M). You will access the online portion of the course through Webcourses using your NID and NID password to log in. To learn more about how to use Webcourses watch the Webcourses Student Tour video at https://cdl.ucf.edu/support/webcourses/guides/student-tour/
The graded homework assignments for this course will be completed online. You will use Knewton Alta to complete homework assignments and access important instructional materials. The access code for the Knewton Alta software will be necessary to gain access to the online assignments for this course once the free grace period expires on 9/6/21.
If you are waiting on financial aid to purchase your course materials, you may be eligible for the UCF Textbook Purchase Program. Information about this program can be found at the following website: https://finaid.ucf.edu/receiving/funds-for-books/. Also note that Knewton Alta will have a 14 day (1/10/22-1/24/22) free grace period.
You have eight assignments due in Knewton Alta during the first week with the three assignments due on Wednesday, January 12th at 11:55 am, so please start working on your assignments right away. If you are adding this class after January 10th, please contact me immediately to make adjustments to due dates for you.
Getting Started Assignments
- Read the syllabus and the introductory materials is the first module
- Take the syllabus quiz (starting 1/10) to satisfy the first week academic activity
- Review the calendar and course schedule
- Work on Knewton Alta assignments. There are multiple assignments due starting on Wednesday, January 12th.
- Review Course Expectations
- Review Knights Online
- Access Help resources
- Technical assistance is provided by Webcourses@UCF Support
- Built-in Help is located in the global navigation menu.
- The EXCEL Lab will be offering online tutoring through Zoom. You will receive more information about this and it will be posted in the office hours page once I receive it.
Video, Professionally Produced - Anthropology
Beatriz Reyes-Foster
Course: ANT3610 - Language and Culture
Modality: W
Main Highlight:
Dr. Reyes-Foster worked with the Video@CDL team to produce an introduction video. This video skillfully integrates the course content, her research experience and interests, and what students should expect from the course, as well as from her as the teacher.
Video, DIY - Physics
Dr. Josh Colwell
Course: PHY1038 - Physics of Energy, Climate Change, and the Environment
Modality: W
Main Highlight:
Dr. Colwell recorded his own video to introduce himself to his students. Additionally, he requires his students to meet him one-on-one at the beginning of the semester in a virtual meeting for his online students, which he calls “Meet Josh."