Instructor feedback
One of the primary assets that leads to learner success in online courses is instructor feedback. I have heard from many online learners that if they have a respondent instructor they are able to move forward faster, utilized the instructor's feedback to continue, and they feel like they are not being ignored. Several people have told me about online learning with instructors who are not responsive and they had a very difficult time and felt like they had no support. From what I understand this is the one key factor that effects retention in online courses.
Kendrick,
Great idea!!! Google voice can be a great resource.
Herbert Brown III
Denise, I have found google voice to be a very useful and resourceful tool. I use it to call and text students; although I seem to get better responses with text. Prior to using google voice, I was always skeptical of using my personal number to contact students. However, Google voice has afforded me the anonymity to not be skeptical.
Denise,
Great idea to use a tool such as Google Voice to maintain records of your communications. Thanks for sharing.
Herbert Brown III
I find that calling and texting students seems to get a positive response in return. Now I have many students that will keep a direct line of communication by texting. I use Google voice and it keeps a record of our messages for easy reference... and it's free!
It is important for the instructor to have presence in the course. I demonstrate my presence with: Live Video, Weekly chats, weekly emails and announcements. It's important for the students to know that there's a live person on the other end of that computer.
I agree that the instructor has to be engaged with the students. I have taken many face to face classes where the instructor is not engaged and you can see the students mentally dropping out of the class or lecture.
In the same manner, online classes need to have a constant (daily or near daily) instructor/student engagement. A good instructor should be able to pick up on the students that are struggling and engage with those students more often or as needed.
Andy,
Many of us can probably learn from your devotion to your avoidance-oriented students. It is easier to say to ourselves if they want to learn they will just do it and let them fail if they don't. But just as you suggest it is very important to not give up on them and instead try to give them a little more attention with hopes to motivate them to get their work done and in on time.
Herbert Brown III
I believe it is just as important to establish and maintain communication with the avoidance or dependent student as it is to respond timely to the independent student. I struggle at times, though, to not become frustrated with non-responsive students who seem to not care about their personal responsibility in their education. I always try to "kill them with kindness" in my emails to them, even when I have to be direct and stern with their lack of participation and communication.
Robert,
Communication and timely responses are very important to your "presence" as an instructor in a course. If students do not see you as virtually present, they typically become disenfranchised with online learning and especially your course.
Herbert Brown III
