gene ,
Good point and the students must be able to find the objectives and the instructor must continue to focus on them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
learning outcomes focus students as well as teachers: consistent communication with the students helps immensely and i build the course to require a good bit of repitition with variety to reinforce learning and patterns that help students set themselves up for success.
Jacqueline,
You are right, the design of the course is as important as the content and is vital for creating a teaching pattern. Good post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The first thing I would consider in setting up a pattern for teaching would be the layout of information. Just like the way this course is set up, you would want the steps to be in a natural flow. Things like information about the course (syllabus, objectives, reading materials) should come before assignments and tests.
Secondly, I would consider the best time for due dates on announcements/grading for myself and tasks for the students. For example, it may be more effective to post announcements before the weekend, as a lot of students will do there work on weekends. If you post tasks or announcements toward the end of the weekend, there is a good chance that the majority of students will miss it. I try to let my students know the first day of class the days I post new information and announcements so they will know to look for it.
Perry ,
You are right, the instructor modeling good communication is the best way students learn how to communicate. Also, no communication is a type of communication. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Perry ,
These are great points, thank you for sharing your techniques.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Perry ,
Good point. Yes, teaching pattern is so tied to course design. Student success is also important to course design also; it provides consistency that will help with student confidence.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Greetings!
A silent instructor is not present with students to offer guidance as a facilitator, and students can have a poor learning experiences as a result.
A pattern of negative communication or activity may be communicated and not one of professionalism when instructors are not routinely present in courses. I think Richard made a valid point. I like to model behavior, so what I illustrate is what I tend to try to recommend my students realize can be of value with online learning, like being active in discussions often or submitting feedback and work promptly.
Sincerely, Perry Spann
Greetings!
I like to have multiple ways for students to obtain information. I even email students the information required for the course that may involve policies or the most pertinent data about the infrastructure of the class and resources for assignments in case there is a technological issue and students cannot access the course shell.
I like being certain students have no reasons not to read documents and content in the course materials. I kindly remind students that reading is required to do well online in classes. I think part of establishing a healthy online course pattern is to make the contents of course information readily available routinely to students for their responsibilities.
Sincerely, Perry Spann
Greetings!
When establishing a pattern of teaching, I believe the two most important things to consider are:
1. The tools used in the learning events so that students have clarity and understanding of the expectations.
2. The context and framework of the learning environment so that organization is present with consistently. Then, students can recognize the pattern and make schedules to complete the learning as necessary.
Sincerely, Dr. Spann
Eman,
You said course design! Course design is as important as course delivery and is so important in in establishing a teaching pattern. Course design can become your personality! Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The two most important things to consider, when establishing a pattern of teaching are as follows:
1. Course design and teaching style must be consistent so that students learn what is expected of them. This consistency guarantees the enhancement of the teaching and learning processes.
2. Integration of several components such as learning outcomes, content delivery, and assignment submission to fulfill the well workings of the course.
Eman Abdelfattah
Elizabeth,
You make a great point. You have to remember that we teach to our strength and that is our preferred learning style.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello,
In order to establish of teaching you must consider what you learning style is and remember to consistently repeat it so it is obvious to the student what you expect out of the online classroom environment.
This way they can come into the classroom and complete assignments with as few issues as possible.
Liz
Abundio,
You make an interesting point, so an educator may need to have multiple teaching patterns for different students? This is an interesting question to ponder. Do you just develop a pattern that is inclusive to all types of learning?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kurt,
Great post. Isn't it interesting that your answer could be the same answer in a f2f course? It is always important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Richard,
You are right; a silent instructor and/or a silent student spells disaster.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
This is my hardest to determine, in my case my student is usually young adult and adult, and it's hard to established the pattern of teaching to both, one pattern may work to the younger student but it not necessary work for the older students. i may learn from all input on this one.
For me, by far, the most important consideration is the development of and understanding of learning outcomes. These are the goals for the course and what we want the students to know at the conclusion. The learning outcomes govern all decisions we make in course preparation and instruction.
The second most important for me is the content delivery. There are many choices in terms of how course content can be delivered, and a carefully planned combination of the methods can produce an extremely effective course that achieves the desired learning objectives.
Kurt
Agreed Michael, and I would add to this point that besides clarity of assignments and class expectations, that there be an open dialogue developed and encouraged between student and instructor so that any questions or concerns that may arise, can be addressed quickly and decisively.
Silent frustration and confusion can cause the most promising student to "fail".
