Justice Anderson

Many of the classes I teach have an introduction thread that asks for the student bio information and I have an opportunity to connect with each of them individually. I also use email to reach out to them prior to class starting. One other thing I do is add a thread that ask the students what is there preferred method of contact and if they would like a call from me and when would be a good time to call.

Ranee Gibbs CHEP

I think the e-mails to each students is good it does give that personal touch that makes the student feel comfortable.

Herbert Brown III

Dianne,

Great ideas. The personal touch is what most students are looking for in an online course. Too often they feel disconnected in their learning with each other and the instructor. The more we can personalize it for them, the more you build a necessary sense of community in the course.

Herbert Brown III

Dianne Hargrove

I have had the opportunity to call my students during the first week or so of a course and it really makes them feel special. I also make it a point to send out a welcome message days before the course actually starts to give them a heads up about what to expect. In that welcome message, I also submit a link to a video that I have created for them showing them how to navigate in the course. ;)

Thanks,

Dianne

elida hodgson

I do not have the experience of teching online, but learning the technique and all source available I'll finding fascinate specially for the student who want to continue their education.

Thomas Milham

From my experience of teaching online for 14 years, it is essential for faculty to reach out by welcoming students in Course Announcements, but to also reach out by emailing and calling students by phone.

I have sat through countless best practice meetings about the best way to reach students and many students ignore mails and text messages. Although everyone is different, calling students individually on the telephone is still the most appreciated and noticed form of contact a student may receive from a faculty member.

If a teacher chooses to use welcome calls by phone, it is important to be upbeat and positive. I make sure that I am smiling when I speak so that students get the impression that I am enthusiastic and looking really forward to working with them. Giving encouragement and supportive remarks in a welcome call are essential and it is important for an instructor to say that he or she is looking forward to learning and growing with the student. In other words, to be a great teacher a person still needs to be open and willing to learn from his or her students.