Being present for your students
This is still something that is an elusive item, as every school has different requirements. I personally believe that being in a classroom at least every other day is sufficient, however many schools expect you in class daily at least 5 days a week. I find myself out there alone many times, because students are not present that often due to their busy schedules.
Does anyone else feel that being in the classroom 4 times a week is sufficient? Please share why or why not.
Karen "kam" Maiorano
I think that being in the classroom 5 or more days is sufficient. I think it is more so the quality time that is spent rather than the quantity. For example, Day 3 you could post to the discussion board but also send a helpful video that would assist the students with their homework. Your right Karen, students are not always present during these times, especially if a discussion is not due until a certain day! But I find that they are more responsive when I send videos or when I just post a random link that discusses how they are dealing with work or life in general. I think as facilitators we just have to find ways to get our students active and excited to learn in the classroom which may require us to stretch for more time. However, we can utilize simple techniques that will let our students know we are present and ready to engage them. What techniques do you use to get the student engaged (outside of regular work) when you are in the classroom?
I think it would depend on how you first established the course.
mohammad ,
Students can get tired and disconnect from the instruction at times. Can you give some examples here?
Herbert Brown III
I agree more so for the students. It can make them tierd and start to toon out of what id going on.
sharon,
Do you find that this amount of time and schedule works with the students? Do you receive any student comments (end of term evaluations or otherwise) that state that they don't feel that you are available? As long as the students feel like you are present and responsive in the course, then whatever works for you.
Herbert Brown III
At our school the students only have classes Mon - Thurs. I have to work on Friday too, but it is extremely rare for a student to seek help or information on that day. I believe that checking email 5 days a week would be sufficient, not 7. I try to have my online class take the same number of hours as an on the ground. About 4 hours per week, to post assignments, monitor activity, and answer questions. Of course grading papers and prep are additional.
Carol,
I agree...being "available" to the students and responsive to the students are the most important concepts for being present for them. Students typically determine the instructor's "presense" by the availability of the instructor.
Herbert Brown III
Kam, I believe there are a lot of ways you can be “present†for your students. Certainly being in the classroom for interaction with discussions is important. I’m not sure that needs to be every day; however, I can attest to the fact that students follow our lead as instructors. If we make the time to visit the DB on 5 out of 7 days, then we can anticipate more interaction with the students. They really do watch what we do very closely and use that as an example. But being present can also include availability for chats, email and phone calls. The more avenues we make available to the students for access, the better.
Carol Hannon
Carl,
What do you think are the barriers there that would have a student connect with a tutor before their teacher. Is it shear intimidation or the student's perception of it?
Herbert Brown III
Herbert,
It is the same in on campus math classes. Students prefer asking a tutor for help instead of their teacher. Most of my questions come from students using "Ask the Instructor" in MyMathLab for help on a specific problem.
Carl
Carl,
That is a shame that you say in math classes students don't look for instructor contact too much. If I was trying to learn math online, I think I would be asking for instructor help all the time. What do you think that is?
Herbert Brown III
I go online every day to check email and messages from students. It doesn't take very long if there are not many messages. I go into discussions every other day or on deadline days. I find that in math classes the students don't look for instructor contact too much.
Penny,
Everyone has a different approach, but 7 days a week seems to be a bit much. It really can depend on the course and content relative to the feedback schedule.
Herbert Brown III
I also like the every other day approach. I used to teach for one place that wanted the instructor to post 7 days a week. Not only did it prevent me from having a down day, which is highly important to any person, but it made it so the students sat back and 'listened' more than talked. PS... I selected to leave that place :O).
Karen,
I guess I am lucky to be at an institution that does not manage the specifics of my online classes. I believe you should be "available" and responsive to your students. Most times I have provided open office hours online (at a variety of times) I seldom have a student connect for help. Then I typically find myself making specific personal appointments for the ones that do need help. If you are available and responsive to the students needs, then I think that is appropriate- regardless of specific days or hours.
Herbert Brown III
