My biggest challenge would be to keep the retention of the students. Its a big enough challenge to do, but without seeing them to interact in that forum, I would have to make sure I leave positive comments and email regularly.
As an instructor for AIU online since 2003, I find that building our students is much more important than being the center of attention on stage. Ideally, students learn more when they figure things out for themselves. I accomplish this "guide on the side" role by asking questions of the students, as to how the course concepts/material are related to their professional and personal lives, depending on the situation.
Likewise, sometimes the other students will chime in and provide their own answers to a question directed to one student.
As a guide, I also make sure my students know about the importance of reviewing related research on the topics we are discussing and studying, via the library, academic publications and the popular press.
Sincerely,
Dr. Pogue
Kelly,
Very nice 'carrot' to bring a sense the reality of their success.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Teaching presence involves frequent and effective interaction with the course instructor. Teaching presence as “the design, facilitation, and direction of cognitive and social processes for the realization of personally meaningful and educationally worthwhile learning outcomesâ€. A three-part model of teaching presence includes: 1) instructional design (course organization and includes setting curriculum, establishing time parameters, and laying out netiquette criteria), 2) facilitating discourse (encouraging/acknowledging/reinforcing student contributions, setting the climate for learning, and drawing in participants and prompting discussion), and 3) direct instruction (presentation of content and questions, summarizing discussion, confirming understanding). Regardless of the learning environment (traditional classroom or online), the classroom setting plays a role in the overall success of the learner. But establishing a positive climate in online classrooms may be more challenging due to the reliance of this setting on technologically mediated interaction rather than more personal human dynamics. Emphasizing the roles of online instructors as “multidimensional,†“active,†and “evolving,†online instructors embody various roles as a part of a “dynamic continuum†in which roles are progressively developed, malleable and shifting in response to the instructional demands of the classroom. Instructors can demonstrate leadership in their course by modeling appropriate interactions, establishing clear requirements, and setting the tone for the course.
One of the biggest challenges in the delivery method is how to encourage the students to succeed in the online classroom. I always let them know they will succeed if they keep up and keep in touch with me. I also try to encourage them by letting them know they are my future colleagues- that I want to work with them in the healthcare profession.
What do you feel will be your biggest challenge in transitioning to a "guide on the side"?
I think that this transition becomes most difficult because of the culture of expertise. At times your knowledge of a subject that you teach can cloud you from opening up to guide and you become defensive about the misunderstanding of a topic you are passionate about.
I agree, many think it is going to be easier. I try to tell them it is just different
learning the personality of the student. With face-to-face it is easy to deterine the personality, but online it can be very difficult.
Hal,
Very good. Thanks Hal.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Bruce,
You make some good observations. When "a phone or e-mail may not provide the desired result," a Skype session or even a whiteboard session may be required. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I agree David. It is very important for online instructors to get ahead of this situation, even before the course starts. I like the fact that an email welcoming the students can be sent to the students prior to the course starting.
Best,
Harold Graff
The biggest challenge is the limited "teacher-to student" contact in an online environment; this setting will require a learning that is self-motivated. How to motivate students where there is no direct (face-to-face) interaction?
The “responsibility" is shift to the student to manage time effectively and create an environment for procrastinators to succeed. The lack of “self-discipline†remains a predominant factor and in many instances learners may face difficulty to comprehend such subject matter as math/science without further facilitator from the facilitator. A phone or e-mail answer may not provide the desire result.
Not knowing the student in person is the biggest challenge. The online environment creates relationships between people and instructors who have never met.
Thanks James,
That is nice to have the students get some review of the offereing before and the excitement of the information from high credible sources excites them too.
Ed
I believe the greatest challenge is in keeping the students engaged and organized. Although we do online chats and audio discussions that are live with students, many times only a handful of students show up to these chats and discussions. The way to resolve this is (other than posting the discussion date on the annoucements page) is to send an email to the class on the day of the presentation. In addition, a personal email can be sent after the presentation date to ask the student why they were not able to attend and persuade them to come to the next discussion.
Nancy,
Keeping the open communication is terrific.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
James,
Humor is a great tool in many online situations. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Josh,
I believe this is one of the reasons why the industry is moving to the audiovisual chats.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Stephanie,
It is my goal to assist. Best wishes.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Stephen,
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
