As an online instructor, I spend hours at the computer. Unfortunately, I also have a bad back so sitting for long stretches is not a good thing. So, I have a little dog that sits by my feet, usually sleeping but every once in awhile, she demands to be petted. She is my comic relief. The dog can be pretty funny sometimes.

Sometimes when I am very tired, late at night, the attention to detail start to vane. So, I have been grading assignments first thing in the morning. The attention to detail is there and it seems to go quicker.

How do you get them more involved ?

I have found that I have more success with the students by having a genuine interest in them and their goals. I can understand, to some extent, what they are going through being students and life happening outside the classroom.

Teaching online can be stressful because I feel the need to always be working. Having a full-time job, three kids and a husband are stressful enough. When I add to the equation the need to check into the class more than several times a day because the Internet is so easy to access everywhere I am with my computer and blackberry. This training is helping me understand I need to let go of some things to work better.

Becoming too friendly with students

From what I have observed in the classroom most silent students are insecure. I have noticed the more communication, the more comfortable the student becomes.

I think this is a great idea. I will incorporate this into my classroom

I give different version of the test to prevent cheating.

Ok, I made the mistake of giving my cell number to the class. Hmmmmm.

I have yet to master this task.

.always follow up on the assignments.

....and they will come.

I recently had a student in one of my classes who was so uninterested and seemingly disinterested in the course. I was shocked! I did not blame her I blamed myself. So, I tried different activities, put the class in small groups, and even managed to incorporate some relevant jokes. I strived to get the attention of this ONE student (as well as the others) but it was very difficult. I purposely reconfigured things in class, but to no avail did it excite or intice her. The student never spoke in class, and when I called on her, she never had an answer or response. I figured atleast I would be able to engage her for the final presentation when she was to present her project to the class. But she didn't even show up! Even now I look for that type of student in my current classes and try to find ways to deal with that level of non-interest. I found it sad.

We've decided to put up sheets in our classrooms that identify problems with the equipment. This really helps but students still complain about the temperature in the room. Unfortunately we don't have a thermostat and the multicomputers heat up the room terribly. Some days it's perfect and others it's uncomfortable. Are there any suggestions on how to make the classroom equipment more manageable; especially for items that can not be controlled?

Many of my students are forgetting to site their materials. They don't mind getting written up for plagiarism incident reports. I think that we need to follow up and track these students better. There needs to be a reputation developed that stresses the importance of not plagiarizing. How can I monitor this behavior after students get out of my class?

I try to have a daily quiz at the end of each class that covers the material that was recently discussed. This helps to assess the material that is freshest in student's minds and keeps them from leaving early. Some students even stay after class to finish up the mathematics. So now I need a perfect strategy to get them to class on time. Any suggestions? I'm currently trying to have team time at the beginning of class. Thanks for any comments.

I feel it is important to remember names and important details about students.

I just had the first chat sessions and one of the issues the students were concerned about were the holidays. I moved my Thursday chat to Tuesday because of Thanksgiving. Several of the student have asked if I can post the next 2 instructor files on the assignments because they will be travelling. This session goes through the Christmas holiday and I have had students ask if they can submit their assignment early. So, to handle the holidays, I have to plan and prepare in advance to prevent the stress. There may be a touch of immedacy too!

All of my courses are taught online in a controlled environment. Grading of assignments are more of an issue of proper time management and articulating of assignment objectives so that students stay on track. A level of self discipline is required to stay on top of student grading so that you don’t get behind.