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Meet the Instructor Message

What is a Meet the Instructor Message?

The “Meet the Instructor” message is crafted to introduce faculty to their students and foster a sense of community. It is not meant to focus on course specifics, as there are other ways to convey that information. In the “Meet the Instructor” message, faculty are encouraged to share personal anecdotes about their experiences in the field to showcase their passion for the subject. Additionally, they are encouraged to include details about their family, hobbies, and teaching philosophies to provide a well-rounded introduction.

What to Include

Focus the content of the video on introducing yourself rather than discussing the course. This is your opportunity to connect with students by sharing your educational background, passion for the subject, experience as an educator, biographical details, or your teaching philosophy and style.

Sample Outline and Talking Points

Feel free to treat the outline below as a set of friendly recommendations. There’s no need to answer every single question—just pick and choose the ones that resonate the most. The goal is to have fun and share what feels comfortable!

  • Welcome and Introductory Statement
    • Begin with a warm welcome.
    • Introduce yourself by name.
  • Education and Professional Background
    • What are your degrees and credentials?
    • How and why did you get into your field?
    • What excites you the most about the future of your field?
    • What research project(s) are you most proud of?
    • What are some of your career highlights?
    • Have you worked in the private sector? If yes, in what capacity?
  • Experience and Background as an Educator
    • How and why did you get into teaching?
    • How do you motivate and/or inspire students?
    • What excites you the most about the future of your field?
    • What do you enjoy most about teaching?
  • Personal Biographical Information (Optional)
    • What hobbies are you most passionate about?
    • What is your cultural background?
    • How do you engage with your community?
    • Would you like to share any information about your family?
    • What are some of your favorite family activities?
  • Closing
    • Encourage students to communicate with your preferred method.
    • Encourage students and wish them good luck.
    • Say thanks and goodbye.

What to Avoid

The “Meet the Instructor” message should focus on the instructor rather than a particular course or program. It should be designed to last and be adaptable to any Excelsior University course taught. Here are a few tips to ensure the message remains relevant and versatile:

  • Avoid course-specific references:
    • Instead of saying, “I am excited to be your instructor for BIO101,” opt for, “I am excited to be your instructor.”
    • Rather than “This course will prepare you for your capstone,” say, “I look forward to guiding you through your learning journey.”
    • Instead of “I am excited to be one of your instructors in the Health and Wellness program,” use “I am eager to support your learning experience.”
  • Steer clear of time-sensitive comments:
    • Avoid phrases like, “It’s summer right now and I love hiking,” and opt for more timeless expressions such as, “I enjoy engaging in various activities outside of teaching.”
    • Replace “I am excited you’re joining me for this fall semester” with “I am excited to embark on this learning journey with you.”
  • Skip references to specific tools or applications:
    • Rather than saying, “You’ll find my contact information in Canvas,” use a more general approach like, “You can reach me through the course platform.”

By keeping your message general and timeless, it will be suitable for any course you teach in the future.

Duration

The most effective online videos are typically 2-5 minutes in length. This duration strikes a balance between holding viewers’ attention and delivering meaningful content. Studies have shown that videos shorter than 5 minutes see significant engagement rates, while longer videos tend to lose viewers’ interest.

Format

A “Meet the Instructor” message can be delivered in various formats such as video, audio-only, presentations, and text. Below are some video examples to explore. If time permits, we recommend recording a video using Canvas Studio or an equivalent tool.

Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4

Help Us Grow Our Showcase

The Media Services team is always looking to expand its online showcase. If you create a “Meet the Instructor” video that you would like to share to inspire others, please reach out, and we will add it to our media showcase.

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