Instructor Presence
It will definitely be a big challenge, for both the online instructor and the online student. It will be even more of a challenge if your students have never taken online classes before. I think the biggest challenge as an instructor is in getting my students to be comfortable with the online modality. They must get used to the idea that the "instructor/student interaction" is going to be very different. Interaction will radically change from a "face-to-face" modality to interaction via email, threaded discussions, phone calls, etc. Getting used to this kind of interaction (and taking it seriously) may take a bit of getting used to.
Carolyn,
You make a very good point about the value of having a live chat. This is sets the stage for the class and gives the students an opportunity to interact with you at the beginning of the course. As a result they feel they know you and you all have created a connection. This also builds their confidence in terms of feeling they have someone to not only learn from but call upon should some for of support be needed.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Instructor interaction in an online learning environment is very different from the traditional learning environment. Traditionally, the major interaction that an instructor has with learners is through the transmission of content via lecture. In an online learning environment, the delivery of course content is not the instructor's primary activity, so you will need to be able to transition from being the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side." What do you feel will be your biggest challenge in transitioning to a "guide on the side"?
I couldn't agree more it is going to be a big change. I have found that students who have taken online classes before tend to be more interactive and less afraid then students who are trying to learn how to do an online class plus the material. I believe making your students feel comfortable with the online classroom will help them perform and learn the material. One of the first things I have found that helps is I do a live chat session that walks the students through how the classroom works and then I hit what topics we will cover during this class. Many students seem to feel more comfortable and have a better success rate with passing the class.
Hello Dr. Vaillancourt:
it is very helpful to have face to face interactions with a student. It becomes a bigger challenge to communicate when that face to face interaction does not exists. The instructor has to be creative and find ways to ensure that the student is comprehending.
I am likely one of the few out there who have only taught online--so luckily I haven't ever had to make this transition. However, I am sure that for a number of instructors, this is quite a transition. Surely some would struggle with the inability to communicate face to face or to rely on non-verbal communication during lecture to gauge how a student is doing/feeling.
I approach this issue from a bit of a different angle as an exclusively online instructor. Each session I work to remember that some of my students are accustomed to only working with traditional instructors so they are likely to project some of those expectations onto me.
An example of this might be that a traditional instructor might be able to detect if students are struggling just by looking at their non-verbals. So students of that instructor might come to expect that all instructors will be able to make this observation and pull them aside after class to say "I noticed that you were looking lost today in class...".
Thus, when a student comes into my classroom where I cannot observe their non-verbal signs of frustration during class, they might become even more frustrated when it takes me a week to "observe" (through poor performance or lack of participation) that they are struggling.
My method for handling this is to do my best to get to know students through their self-introduction posts. Often they will share their concerns and fears (and status as first timers). I will note this on my roster and watch them more closely through the first couple weeks.
Truly anyone can be a guide on the side just by being there when their presence is requested. The next step up is being that quiet and alert shadow that is actively following and regularly checking in.
Michelle,
Is mine as well. I reach out to my students as much as I can to create that all important instructor student connection but I still miss the faces.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Monica,
Your comments made me smile because I can't tell you how many times I have observed this. Online learning is not easier it is just different and that takes some understanding on the part of students, especially those taking their first online course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Monica,
Very important because as we all know having someone there as a support reinforces our effort and builds our confidence no matter the setting.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Marek,
Something I have done is to give them examples of how the guide on the side format can actually benefit them in the learning process. I may give a case study and walk them through it as the guide. In most cases once they see how the guide model works they are able to find themselves in the online learning structure and move forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My biggest challenge for an online format is the lack of visual cues you can get from your students showing their confusion or lack of interest. Aslo being the one in the front of the room having control over the environment will be difficult to deviate and allow the students to be more accountable.
I agree that students initially think that an on-line course will not require the same effort and worked involved as in a face to face course. They are sadly mistaken once they being to navigate through the on-line course to see the various assignments, assessments and discussions as part of the weekly objective and competencies.
I agree that making your presence known is prevalent in an on-line course environment. The instructor should be accessible to the students’ to answer questions and to provide support as needed. Once the students are assured they will have assistance their confidence levels increase and they become engaged in the course.
I have encountered students that are reluctant to accept the “guide on the side†and prefer an instructor that is more the “sage on the stage.†I am curious how you redirect that expectation for online students that only have experience with traditional learning environments.
This is actually a good question. For me, it depends on the class I am teaching, and the method of delivery of the course materials. I teach adjunct for three different colleges. Each school has a different delivery of method. One school uses Sakai. Another school uses WizIQ, and I deliver live lectures twice a week. The other school uses prerecorded video lectures. I relate to my students in different ways for each of these courses. It is far easier to get to know students and build a relationship with them during the live classes, but I manage with the others. For the school that uses prerecorded videos, I maintain constant contact by email with each student. I also participate in the discussion threads, and I make myself available when the student needs me. The most difficult environment for me is the Sakai platform. IT just seems more impersonal to me, and I work extra hard to maintain a presence. I post weekly announcements, comment on the discussion threads, and email back and forth with my students. On the whole, it seems to work well, but nothing, in my humble opinion, can really replace the live interaction with students.
I have been teaching online for 10+ years and I don't feel a challenge in making the transition (I taught on-ground for 5 years prior to online teaching). I am very comfortable with the interaction with students in the discussion posts. I have a role as a facilitator in the course and I enjoy promoting educational discussions with the students. Perhpas this is because I have always been more comfortable with online communication as a working environment (I have worked in the IT industry remotely for 20+ years).
Kurt
Roshawna,
You are right. This discrepancy between learners, some are well grounded in the technology and others are lost. This gap within the classroom can often have profound impact on the dynamics of the development of the learning community. Sometimes it is very challenging, as the instructor, to accommodate for this.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
James,
Yes, this is fulcrum of cooperative learning. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
It is important for the students to feel like you know them. Technology is so advanced, it is very easy to have face to face contact with students when needed. I have found many students do not know how to use the technology. Which is a major barrier.
I agree! Anything that puts a student in the driver seat where they must be creative and are being driven by their peers to master the material is a good use of course time.
