Instructor Availability
Making yourself available to students in an online environment will be the key to their success. What has been a proven method of making this work continuously?
John,
Very good addition. Thank you. Increasing student visits is sometimes accomplished by indentifying a particular topic to be discussed during the office hours.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Greetings.
Very good posts so far.
One item I would like to add...when I do office hours...I schedule them at various times during the week. This provides a wide range for options for the various student schedules and life requirements out there.
Any thoughts on increasing student visits ?
John
Jennifer,
I agree 100%. Does your school require a "call log" so they may confirm communications are occurring?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I also find it works well to give students your cell phone number. It's much easier for me to return a text than to check my email, so I feel like we're in more constant communication. Also, my college really emphasizes personal connections and it's sometimes easier to just call a student and ask them how they're doing with an assignment. Sometimes that's all they need to feel connected.
Sonya,
This is a tremendous opportunity for all online instructors to know their students and learn more about their content area of expertise. I often find questions from students teaching me more about the content that I'm trying to convey to the student. I believe most online instructors share your affinity for interaction with the students.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I make announcements throughout the week and send out reminders of when assignments are due. However, the main thing that I love doing is interacting with the students on their discussion questions.
Hello Iris:
I frequently post items in announcements as well as copy the students by email. Although I hold office hours, I find most students do not attend. Students will send emails, and I respond within a day. What I have found effective is providing students with my cell phone number so that they may call, leave a message or text.
Hello,
To make myself available to my students continuoulsy, I email a message twice aweek to them on specific due dates and annoucments, post bi weekly annoucments in the course, post in the discussion board to more than the required asking questions to stimulate thought, I hold weekly office hours online or AIM or email, I also will have in most of my courses a synchronous chat. These are a few of the things which allow me to be visible and available.
