Introductory Online Letter for Faculty Workshops

Purposes and Examples

Donna Reiss
Active Learning Online


Directions for Faculty Workshop Introductory Letters

Greetings, Colleagues,

  1. Open your word processor for a new blank document and quickly compose an Introductory Letter as an informal, friendly letter with a greeting addressed to your workshop colleagues (such as "Dear Colleagues") and a signature that includes your name (such as "Sincerely, Pat Smart").
  2. Write 1-2 sentences to describe yourself, writing paragraphs rather than a list:
    • your name (and preferred nickname if you have one)
    • your teaching discipline or other role in the academy and typical courses you teach
    • an interesting or memorable detail about you
  3. Include 2-3 sentences about your experience with or interest in computer-mediated communication for teaching or research, writing paragraphs rather than a list. You might include any (but won't have time for all) of the following.
    • your interest in the workshop
    • your prior experience
    • your concerns and questions
    • what you hope to learn
    • what you can contribute
  4. Save this document with file name introduction on your desktop if possible or on a disk. (Students writing introductions can edit, check spelling, and count words as well as keep a backup copy before they copy-paste the contents of this file to the designated online message area.)
  5. Open the discussion board and copy-paste the text of your introduction letter in the message box. You can use the Edit menu to copy-paste or one of these shortcuts:
    • Keyboard shortcuts: Highlight text you want to copy and select Ctrl-C to copy; position cursor and select Ctrl-V to paste.
    • Mouse menu: Highlight text you want to copy and click right mouse button once to select Copy; position cursor and and click right mouse button once to select Paste.
  6. Use the message preview feature to be sure your letter reads as you wish. Edit further if necessary, and Submit when you are ready.
  7. Read the introductions from several of the people at the workshop to gain a sense of the community.
  8. If time permits, write a quick response to one or two people.

Regards,
Donna Reiss

Purposes for and Examples of Introductory Online Letters

for educational purposes only
developed and copyright ©1996 by
D. Reiss
modified and copyright ©21 February 2005 by
D. Reiss