Kimberly ,
Very good. This is a straightforward and proactive solution. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think that the expectations announcement should make several things explicitly clear to the students. Some of these are:
1) How soon students can expect responses to their questions from the instructor;
2) How soon after submission, students can expect grades to be posted;
3) The general late policy;
4) How often studens can expect to see instructor presence in the classroom (discussions etc.);
5) Office hourse.
The expectations document should cover all the major/important items not contained in the syllabus. Items such as late policies, research criteria/expectations, writing expectations, etc., all should be in the expectations document. It should clearly define penalties, additional policies set by the faculty, etc. With this in place the student has understanding of what is expected, etc.
Robert, you are quite correct on the need for clarity to avoid misunderstanding. I would like to further add the need for simplicity and focus in any relevant communication.
Thank you for sharing your views on expectations.
Clarity of requirements including dates and deadlines; self introductions to enhance virtual 'familiarity'; prompt and substantive feedback; and Socratic dialogue.
Good day,
What I feel are important elements of a faculty expectations statement that can help set the appropriate expectations for learners in your online course are to detail the importance of reading the syllabus, course announcements, and instructor policies or additional files added in classes each week.
The statement is an important tool to emphasize course data that may be overlooked initially by students. I think the statement should include a reminder of how important timely course participation will be and why.I also support the statement having clarity about where students can locate examples of what is expected for assignments in the additional policies and files available in the course.
Reiterating the syllabus guidelines is also a good idea in the statement to advocate clearness about what is expected of all students, fairly and ethically, in the course. Noting the value of not plagiarizing could also be beneficial.
The statement can include but not be limited to the following as important for students to read and clearly examine:
Course Greeting or Welcome
Syllabus
Assignment Guidelines
Assignment Examples
Code of Conduct or Etiquette
Supplemental Course Files
Instructional Policies
Discussion Board Criteria
Plagiarism Guidelines
Academic Sources
Library Information
Thank you, Perry Spann
I have found that posting the course expectations with what my expectations/deliverable will be as their faculty/instructor. Creates a contract "so to speak" allowing the student/instructor to see both sides of what is expected.
Robert,
All very true. We sometimes leave out the relevance, even when the details are clear. Good point.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Geoffrey,
Very well stated. I really like your "Always in training and learning mode..."
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Rick,
Very good foundational instructional principle. Thanks for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
The expectations statement should be detailed and clear to the students so as to not have any misunderstanding. Plus, it should be reasonable and relevant to the students.
Hello...
Here is the question that I'm responding to: "What do you feel are important elements of a faculty expectations statement that can help set the appropriate expectations for learners in your online course?"
Answer: Teaching online has many benefits for both instructors and students alike. However, when a student has a question they can't get an immediate response - unless the detail and discussion of key issues for the course are present for the student to locate, review, comprehend, and understand.
Posting expectations as part of your syllabus, announcements, and in the discussions you have weekly in your course can go a long way to making a student feel comfortable with the class and allaying their fears - if they have any - concerning the basic educational tenets and goals for the class and the expectations of their performance as a student too.
The more detail you can post that is:
1: Clear
2: Concise
3: Goal oriented for course content
the more chance the student will find, immediately, what they are looking for and not arrive at an "obstacle" to their learning.
Just my thoughts gang :)
Geoffrey R. Hacker, Ph.D.
Online Faculty
Always in training and learning mode....
I agree that having a clearly defined expectation level in place at the beginning of the course will give the learner the direction needed to be successful in the course. My experience in an online environment is that students may not always agree with the expecttion level but they do appreciate that the level is clearly in place and will for the most part do all they can to meet the expectation level. In terms of the components of an expectation level, what is first and foremost in my mind is to establish due dates. While you hope students always meet deadlines, unfortunately that does not always happen so the consequences of not meeting a deadline need to be established as well. I like to include the expectations for participation in a discussion board if that is a component of the classroom as well as a description of the difference between an effort and product that merits an "A" versus what does not meet the criteria of an "A".
Matt,
The two way street you recommend is a very important component. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think the faculty expectations statements posted at the outset of a class are critically important. Just as one needs to understand the rules of the road when driving in a foreign country or the policies when starting a job in a new organization, learners need to know the expectations of the instructor when starting a class.
I think the most important elements are (1) Late Policy, (2) Guidelines associated with any group projects that may be a part of the course, and (3) Expectations relative to academic honesty.
Additionally, I think it is important for the instructor to include in the Expecations document or announcement the expectations that students can have of the instructor, including when the instructor will post grades and how long it will take the instructor to respond to e-mail inquiries.
Dr. Keogh
Francisco,
That does sound like you went through some challenges. You are right on target that even though students sign-up for online, some may not even own a computer or be proficient in using one.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Dr. Michael,
Yes, in a 5-week class the daily approach is best. But I do understand.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
As a new online instructor I've had to learn through the school of hard knocks not to take anything for granted and not to assume that all students who take online courses are computer literate and competent in basic computer skills such as downloading and uploading files and basic navigation. As such, I feel that it is imperative that the faculty expectation statement, in addition to including the essentials of the course requirements,course delivery, assignments, papers, projects, quizzes and exams,grading methods, time frames and deadlines for submission, also precisely communicate the requirement that the student must take the CMS Orientation and be prepared in basic computer skills.
Some of the key requirements are: students understand that they should log into the classroom regularly (I would say daily, but I'm not allowed to require this since the course is meant to be user-friendly and done at the student's convenience); assignments must be done weekly by the Sunday deadline; don't fall behind since the course is fast-paced and only lasts 5 weeks; be sure to read all of the instructor's communications (emails, Announcements, Instructor Files, Chat Archives, etc.).
Brian,
Your upfront written communication and the reiteration in the chat are excellent proactive measures. Very good. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
