Promote Respect
What are some strategies for promoting and encouraging respect among online learners?
Marshall: Indeed, it is important to establish boundaries for student conduct. Fortunately, I have found that conduct issues are rare. Mostly the "flare ups" occur in the team projects. Like you, I quickly respond with a general message in the team forum and then by private email(s). Usually this gets the situation under control. Only two times over 10 years of online teaching have I had to report students to the school administration.
Elizabeth,
I think there are a number of ways to encourage respect of the students for online faculty. It is important to show your academic credentials, but also show that you are “connected†to the real world in a meaningful way. I have been teaching mathematics online for over 7 years but draw on considerable experience in finance, economics and engineering applications. I can give some recent examples:
1. Students can be engaged in a significant discussion of Public Debt, GDP, and a country’s Deficit, and then determine when a nation is considered a “failed stateâ€. Students can calculate the ratios of Debt/GDP and Deficit/GDP and quickly determine that the United States is currently considered a “failed state†in international economics. This shows the mathematics which underlies our foreign and domestic policy.
2. The instructor (me!) can describe how moveable in-core radiation detectors are used in nuclear plants to calibrate the ex-core radiation detectors and determine 3D power distributions in the reactor core. This is also used to detect Xenon oscillations in the core during plant startup and assure they are maintained within the Technical Specifications. This data is used in complex equations to convert the electrical signals to a 3D power table and display. This clearly illustrates that the instructor is not only knowledgeable in the subject (mathematics) but also knows precisely where it is used.
3. A third example is of use to students in Health Services. I have explained on a number of occasions how Fourier Transforms (mathematics) are used in MRIs to calculate and display the images obtained from the series of magnetic pulses. These images are then analyzed by the doctors. Students can realize that all the “banging†they get in knee, hip, shoulder, or spine MRIs are using the mathematics they are studying to address their medical issues!
Comments?
Anthony
Elizabeth,
I often comment on one student's response with another specific question to further that particular discussion and encourage more creative responses. This also draws a little attention toward the students engaging each other in discussion more than with me. Builds trust among the students.
Marshall,
Timely and accurate response is an essential component of learning, even in classroom behavior. Very good. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I set the boundaries with an announcement on comnduct, and if anyone violates the code of coddct such as use of bliue language, then I quickly respopnd and ask that they use the King's English which gets their attention, I have never had anyone refuse to comply, the request is usually met with compliance.
Elizabeth,
Role-playing and scenario-based learning can greatly enhance respect among online rooms. These activities provide the opportunity for student to accomplish the goal with constraints artificially imposed to represent a cultural or socioeconomic position with which he/she is unfamiliar. "Standing in someone else's shoes" is one of the best ways to learn respect for others. Very good question. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
