Monte Poersch

The concept of scaffolding gives structure to all aspects of the online learning experience though in itself it is not the final goal.  It is a means to accomplish the learning outcomes for the students.

Consistency in layout of modules and information between modules will enhance the capability of students to understand the flow of an online class.

Important to develop relationships with individual students early on to identify the challenges that each may have during the course of the class.  If those issues can be mitagated before the student becomes frustrated it will be much easier to keep them on task than to try to regain their commitment to completing the course.

Learning how to implement asychronous and sychronous discussions and what type of information to use within each mode seems important.  Also instructor feedback in a timely manner is one of the most important tools for good repore with online students.

This gives some good ideas of the depth of communication that needs to occur for a good online class. The class must be conducted in a much more than assigning multiple choice questions and unread discussions.

Students experience will be determined by:

• Instructor preparedness
• Instructors ability to pass on to student the inner workings of the course
• The availability of instructor and IT support
• amount and diversity of interaction within the course