Teaching online does equate to the same responsiblities when teaching in a traditional classroom. It is essential to not feel that what you do online is regarded any less than the f2f.
It is more demanding of time, effort, and finding answers to questions. It takes time to handle the email and thus is more time needed than the f2f to address behavior, assignments, or content. ALthough grading is essentially the same...takes time to formulate a sandwiched and substantive reply.
It sounds like it is therefore especially important to keep documentation files of all student-instructor contacts, so that the responsibility lies with the student. I usually feel responsible for poorly-performing students to some extent. Therefore, you have to learn when you have done your job to the furthest extent possible and that no further attempts to engage the student are required.
Comments?
I agree because the same level of commitment and instruction are required. The delivery of the material is different but the outcome of the student should still be the same.
I agree. Well said on your post. It is harder when teaching in an online environment but our job is still the same.
I disagree. The responsibilities of the instructor are the same in either venue. Our job is to be sure we facilitate the information in a method in which the students can learn. Our job is also to be there for our students and be sure they are learning and that we are setting them up for success in our class and future classes.
Hi Melissa, I agree. Especially with the responsibility of reaching out to inactive learners. There is much more pressure put on the online instructor to do everything in their power to engage inactive learners. Tina
From my experience, I think teaching onine requires more responsibility in some ways. It's more difficult to get the know your students personally and assess their learning and/or personality types. You also have to think outside the box in terms of making the students feel like part of a group and a real "class".
I do agree. I think that online instructors have a great responsibiity to reply to e-mails and maintain a presence in the classroom. In the traditional classroom students have an opportunity to discsus questions or concerns with the instructor whereas in the online environment students do not have this opportunity.
Hi Melissa, I agree; however, it is very difficult to engage a nonengaged learner. We continue to communicate missed assignments, to ensure we continuously communicate but many do not respond to our outreach. Tina
I disagree, the responsibilities vary in style with each but your responsibility of making sure that each students is gaining accurate understanding and skill of the material being taught is the equal.
Taking note and acting on students who are falling behind with their assignments and grades are equal as well.
Hi Elizabeth, I agree. The online environment requires more individualized communications and support. We have tried to incorporate as many scaffolding tools as possible to help learners, but they still have lots of questions! Tina
I would say the responsitibilities (as far as setting quizzes and tests, grading, feedback, lectures etc) are the same but the time involvement is definitely more with online classes. Students email constantly with questions and concerns. You hvae to be really explicit and creative with course requirements. You don't realize the student didn't quite get what you were asking until he/she submits their paper! All this is done fairly easily during a classroom session.
Hi Cyndy, yes, I agree, the asynchronous nature of interactions allows you to have a lot more interactivity with learners. Tina
I agree, the time management piece is very different, the student’s time management portion is very different, and how the instructor response to their needs is very different. I am able to think my response through look at it on paper and complete a through response, many times questions come at the F2F encounter, and I later think, Oh I should have..... And I don't have the opportunity to correct. Or if for some reasons I have given incorrect information, it could be several days before correction. I feel this is the better way to communicate at times. I understand that in the larger universitie the professors are emailing the students multiple times in a day.
Hi Chet, we are using a mentor program too and it has been a great experience for faculty. Not only does it help new faculty in their teaching but it also builds community! Tina
Tina, that is sooooo important too. Many adjuncts do not necessarily possess the skills of mentoring or coaching and this is so critical in the teaching profession.
I act as a mentor for one of the schools that I am involved with and enjoy teaching others how to be empathetic and how to really coach students for success.
Hi Chet, yes it is. When I am hiring faculty, along with looking at the credentials, I am also looking for individuals who have skills and a disposition for mentoring and coaching. Tina
Tina, loved your story here!!
Yes, online teaching is more difficult than traditional classroom teaching because it is not face to face; hence the burden is on us to keep the course moving and prodding those students who seem to be drifting away.
Yes, I agree Angela. Online requires a lot more monitoring of the environment. Tina
I agree. The core responsibilites may be the same - classroom management, grading and assessment, but the method in which they are carried out and conducted are very different online when compared to on-ground. Online requires much more written communication than on-ground (which you often rely on verbal communication more). It also requires daily interaction where on-ground your course may only meet once or twice a week.
