Many Hats
An online insturctor should be a mentor providing substantive and informative feedback, technology expert, and an architect.
Rolando,
You have a great plan for contacting students! I agree you have to get students engaged early. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
At the end of the day success to me is if I start the course with 30 students my priority is to complete the course successfully with 30 students. I believe that early course communications with students is imperative. As soon as I detect any student getting behind I immediately send the student an email proving how I can be of assistance. Also, I ask the student for his/her phone number and best time to call. If the student allows me to call I do so ASAP. If student does not respond to my email, I contact his/her advisor requesting his/her assistance in contacting student. The point is that I keep track of students straggling with the course for any reason including if student is having personal issues. In most cases is because of students working overtime, technical issues, etc. Thus I provide alternatives as well as work with student to complete assignments successfully… Rolando
Gretchen,
Do you use mid term evaluations? What do you like and don't like questions for students?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
tarek,
You are correct, we have to be mentors in how we communicate.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Susan and Tarek,
The grades, participation and overall response from your students are a good indicator. Likewise, I believe inside you know if the course is being received well or not. When in doubt--change it if you can or take it out.
Tarek - this is an accurate statement, but how do you determine your success in carrying out these tasks?
Susan
