Guiding Students online
It is challenging to guide the student on line, especially if they are pressed for time and busy in their real lives.
How does the facilitator engage when the student chooses to do the minimum? I know that it is at their expense but it also detracts mental energies away from the facilitator that could be given elsewhere.
Maureen,
You have to communicate, communicate, communicate. You are on the right track. We can only do so much. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Maureen,
You can email a calendar in Outlook by right clicking on the calendar and clicking on Share. Email is an option there.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I watch them during the first week, then email if they have any questions or assistance to understan
d and that I care they don't get behind. What can I do to help them.
Also, my humor comes out and I let them know I am their cheerleader.
I progress slowly but with emphasis on learning and being consistent.
Maureen
I would love to know more about the calendar. Sounds like a great idea. I think I will create it and then they set their schedules to it. Do you email it to students? Any more info how to do?
Maureen
Richard,
What type of interaction? How?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Yes, that interaction is very important.
Kelly,
That is a great observation about the first week. That is so important. Do you share with students that tidbit? I think it is important that you keep working with them about participation.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Usually after the students get a week "under their belt"- they are either going to participate or not. After the first week, I always send the students who hardly participated or are missing assignments, an email explaining what's missing and what they can do to catch up. There's usually a technology glitch, or some other excuse. I tell them it's hard to catch up once they get behind, but it's not impossible. I encourage them to email me about anything!
Thanks,
Kelly Schwartz
Abby,
I start with giving them a calendar that helps them plan the work and organize study time. I create an Outlook calendar with patterns that they can change to set their own schedules. This does seem to help them stay engaged. That is just one way. You must also set your expectations and hold students to them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
