The first is student engagement (we do not know what learning style works for a specific student so we must use multiple presentations) ...and it helps to simply ASK the students what they w/like to have as a method of teaching (this will vary by class topic).
Also, assessment of learning (how do we know that the students are learning ... how do we allow those students to make their learning "visible" ... not all students are "test takers"; we must also check for plagiarism to avoid "false positives" in a written assessment.
Amanda,
You make a great point. You have to be consistent with your teaching and that means setting expectations and holding students accountable to those expectations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello,
I believe the two most important things to consider when establishing a pattern of teaching are consistency and clarity...grading/feedback.
With consistency, this should include your email replies and discussion board presence and class prodedures. With grading and feedback, you need to have a set grading policy that is consistent and clear. With clarity, your content is pretty much worthless if it's not clear and understandable, so it's important to have clear, consistent grading, feedback, communication, and content.
Amanda
Jennifer,
So student needs and course outcomes are what is needed to establish a teaching pattern? What about communication?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Student needs and course outcomes.
Muriel,
You make good points. I have used video clips to help give hints to using the technology. Communication helps with both of these considerations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
Great post! You are right communication is so important particularly in the online environment. We have to be upfront about this with students. It can be tricky about availability. You don't want to be online 24 hours in a day. I actually have a weekly rotation of office hours that I set at the beginning of the course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
When establishing a pattern of teaching, the two most important things to consider is whether or not the students can adapt well to your teaching method (the effectiveness of it). Additionally we should consider the age range of our learners as well.
Out of the various things that are important when establishing a pattern of teaching, the two most important things to consider are communication and availability.
Communication is important because the learners will know what to expect and that they can depend on the instructor to get needed information. They also feel comfortable reaching out and asking questions because they know they will receive a response.
Availability of both time and information. Although you are dealing with an online environment that can be synchronous, asynchronous, or a blend, it is important that the instructor have specific times of availability. Regardless of what it is, customer service is always best when you have the option to speak to a live person, whether that be via chat, email, phone, etc.
It is also imperative that information be available. If the learners are not aware of what is going on or do not understand an assignment or concept, it is important that they know where to go to find the answers. This availability of information, and preferably beforehand, will allow students to better gauge their time and plan accordingly.
Kimberly,
Great post. Communication is the key. Your teaching style and established within communication. Navigation is a part of your communication pattern.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
When establishing a pattern of teaching, what do you believe are the two most important things to consider?
1. Communication. Often times students are confused about how to communicate with their instructor. Some students will not read the announcement and just send am email. What I do when this happens is I redirect them back to the announcements. I f I establish some sort of pattern they will learn where to go to find the important information I am sending.
2. Navigation- Teaching students how to find the information on their own is important since this is not real time learning. Student will need to be able to navigate through the discussion threads, and find the syllabus and figure out what is due each week. By allowing students to have the flexibility in this, we are engaging them without hand holding.
Anitra,
You are right, teaching patterns are important and you need to stay with it!!! Consistency and redundancy are keys to success.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Being consistent and effectively communicating with students. If the instructor is not consistent with where assignments are submitted or establishing a central location for the students to post questions then the students confusion can lead to not meeting learning outcomes or receiving poor grades. In my online experience as a student I have had instructors who open the entire course and others who open the modules and discussion boards on a week-to-week basis. I prefer the entire course to be open but can easily adjust and manage my time if it is open on a weekly basis. Since the instructors communicated this a week before courses started I was able to effectively manage school, work, and family.
J.,
You are right! It is so important students know their expectations and where they are in relation to the expectations. No information and misinformation are problematic in learning. We have to recognize that.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Surety in setting the objectives/outcomes and adhering to their achievement is really big. The most frustrating classes I have ever taken are those where I am not sure what is expected of me. Consistency would be a huge consideration. Again, one of the big gripes about teachers, managers, etc. is that of being inconsistent in delivery, expectations, grading, etc.
Lindsey,
You are right, those two items are so important. You have to find your way by using those two skills.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The two most important ways that I have established a pattern of teaching is as follows:
1. Communication - teaches students what the expectations are, skill requirements for the course, and overall how to succeed in the course. (Tips for Success, FAQs to common questions, Personal Bios, etc.)
2. Consistency - The more comfort and familiarity a student gains equals high-quality, success-driven graduates.
Coleen,
Great post. I love enthusiasm, I like humor. Just as in a f2f course you have to find your online persona. Students get it; they can connect to people in an online environment, we are going to have to do the same.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Coleen,
What a great post! yes, you need a presence in the classroom. It amazes me instructors don't understand that that is what makes f2f courses seem successful is instructor presence. Yet that is what may be missing in an online course. You really have to find your way to create and sustain online presence just as you have to in a f2f course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Laura,
Yes, they will and do. It is always good to make sure students can find information important to them in various places. I also make a video that explains where to find certain key items and make students watch it for a grade. They can always go back to review it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
