Overview
Personalizing comments help students better understand the concern and are more likely to encourage action. Use the examples below as a starting point when raising an Participation Concern flag in MU Connect. The templates are organized into three different tones, but are intended to be flexible. Copy and paste the example as written, combine elements from multiple examples, and add course-specific details that provide helpful context for the student. Even a small amount of personalization can make your message more meaningful.
NOTE: This flag can be raised anytime using the My Students or Zoom In tabs in MU Connect or during Progress Survey availability (Weeks 4,5, 8, and 9, or Weeks 12 and 13 for 8WK2 and Journalism and courses).
Goal: Understand why participating in class is important and encourage participation in discussions.
Pro Tip: Personalize your comment by briefly describing the participation concern (for example: class discussions, group work, in-class activities, asking questions, labs, studio work, or peer review). This helps students better understand what needs to change and what success looks like in your course.
Formal Tone
- I've noticed you've participated very little in recent class discussions and activities. Please come prepared to contribute during class and engage with course discussions moving forward. If you're unsure how to participate more effectively, I'd be happy to discuss strategies with you.
- Your level of participation has been below course expectations during recent class meetings. Please make an effort to contribute to discussions, activities, and other class exercises. Email me or stop by during my office hours on Tuesday (from 2:00 until 5:00 in the Student Success Center) if you have questions or would like guidance on meeting participation expectations.
- Recent class sessions have included limited participation from you, which may affect your learning and grade in this course. Please take advantage of opportunities to ask questions, contribute to discussions, and engage with course activities. Let me know if there's anything preventing you from participating fully.
- I have noticed that you have not been actively engaging in class discussions or activities. Please come prepared to participate during upcoming class meetings and review the participation expectations outlined in the syllabus. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to talk about ways to become more involved.
- I have noticed that your participation in our Canvas discussion boards has been limited over the past several weeks. Regular engagement helps reinforce course concepts and is a significant portion of your grade. Please contribute thoughtful responses to the upcoming discussions and engage with your classmates' posts as outlined in the course requirements. Email me if you'd like to discuss any concerns or challenges.
Friendly Tone
- I've noticed you've been pretty quiet during class lately. I'd love to hear your thoughts in class, so try jumping into discussions or asking questions during our next class. If you're not sure where to start, let's chat.
- It seems like you've been holding back during discussions and activities recently. Even small contributions can make a big difference. Try contributing to discussions or asking a question when something isn't clear; it helps both you and your classmates. Email me if you'd like to talk about ways to get more comfortable doing so.
- I wanted to check in because you haven't been participating much in class lately. Sharing ideas, asking questions, and joining activities will help you get more out of the course. Let me know if something is making participation difficult or if you'd like to talk.
- I know speaking up in class isn't always easy, but your participation matters! Make it a goal to engage in discussions or activities during our next few class meetings. If you'd like to talk through any concerns, don't hesitate to email me or stop by during my office hours. My office is in Middlebush on the second floor - I reserve time on Wednesdays from 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm just for students.
- I've noticed you've been missing from our Canvas discussion boards lately. Your ideas are an important part of the conversation, so I want to encourage you to jump into the next discussion and respond to your classmates. If anything is getting in the way or making participation difficult, email me; I'm happy to help.
Direct Tone
- Your participation in recent class discussions has been limited. Please take part in class discussions and activities during upcoming class sessions. Let me know if there's anything preventing you from participating more fully.
- I have noticied you are not regularly participating in class. Please engage in our discussions, ask questions, and complete in-class activities. Email me if you have questions about participation expectations.
- Recent class meetings have included little participation from you. Please be prepared to contribute during class moving forward. Email me if you'd like to discuss how to improve.
- Your participation is below course expectations. Increase your engagement by contributing to discussions and activities during class. Email me if you would like support or clarification.
- You have not been participating in recent online discussion boards. Please complete the upcoming discussion posts and responses to stay engaged in the course. Email me if you have questions about the requirements or need help getting started.
The following email is sent to students when this flag is raised. The bracketed information is updated based on the individual's information. The highlighted portion is customizable by the instructor within MU Connect when raising the flag.
Subject: Participation Concern in [COURSE NAME]
[STUDENT FIRST NAME],
Your contributions to the class are important. I noticed you haven't been participating regularly in class. Please email me to discuss how you can improve your performance.
[INSTRUCTOR FIRST AND LAST NAME]
[INSTRUCTOR EMAIL]
The Mizzou community is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students. Check out some of the well-being resources on campus, along with the Learning Center's resources.
Your instructor raised this flag for you, and the MU Connect team values your feedback. Please take a moment to complete a short survey about your experience with this message and the Early Alert process. You'll also have the option to let the MU Connect team know if you'd like additional follow-up or support.