This is a very good question. I am fortunate that I have taught the same subjects both online and on-ground. As far as the responsibilities as an educator to ensure my students learn the content and have a quality educational experience, they are the same. What may be different, however, is the methods used to ensure students accomplish the established learning objectives. Two different mediums of education require different approaches.
Susan,
Again, you have hit the nail on the head. This synchronous, nonverbal communications available in the face-to-face setting provide efficiencies over the online environment. However, the instructors responsibilities to guide the learning and meet the student at their point of need are still the same. Very nice. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Dr Vaillancourt,
I think the responsibilities as far as preparing for the course should be the same. The online course, I find is more time consuming than the in house course.
With the online course I must respond to all of my students posts. In the classroom, I respond to the questions that are brought up.
I find that I can ask additional question of my students where english is their second language in the classroom setting, if I don't understand what they are asking. Where as on their discussion board posts I almost have to interpret the point they are trying to get across.
It is the same with my email responses. I find that I often re-read and try to make my point clearer in my responses, just in case the student is not understanding what I am saying. In the classroom, I get to read their faces if they don't understand me.
Crystal,
You are very right Crystal the means by which you can resolve the issues can require more effort over a longer period of time because of the different means of communication. While some things can be handled in a 30 or 60 second brief conversation in the face-to-face classroom, an e-mail exchange the same information may be extended over a day or two. Many times that may not be critical, but sometimes it adds to the complexity of the resolution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I would have to disagree with this. In an online setting you will have the same type of issues and same type of students you have in a traditional classroom. The method in which you resolve the issues may be very different.
Sandi,
Very good.Starting with this premise is a good way to stay on track. However, when teaching online for the first time instructors are sometimes discouraged by the amount of verbal (text-based) communication required to meet those same responsibilities. Yet, maintaining the overall responsibilities in focus will help the good teachers persevere beyond the individual tasks. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree. The responsibilities are the same, the delivery is different. Starting with this premise is probably more helpful when going into the online teaching environment.
LATOYA,
Well stated. Your points are solid. Thank you for your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hello Dr. Vaillancourt-
I disagree. Teaching a course online does equate to the same responsibilities as teaching the same course in a traditional classroom setting. Yes, the instructor will have to use different strategies to effectively engage the learner but if the online course is correctly maintained and facilitated the learning outcomes and objectives should be the same.
Furthermore, in the traditional classroom setting some of the teacher responsibilities include:
Creating a syllabus
Creating lesson plans/ goals, objectives, learning outcomes
Take attendance
Grade assignments
Create office hours
Make themselves available for the students
Lead lectures, discussions
Administer & grade assignments, quizzes and assessments
Create, explain and grade group projects
Establish good communication
Require participation
Handle behavioral issues and much more.
All of the items mentioned above are the responsibilities of an online instructor as well.
Sandy,
Well stated. I think this a realistic summary. I also agree that the "more communication time" is a good thing. Thank you for your participation and helpful contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I do think that the facilitation/teaching time and effort is about the same. Many of the online schools have the syllabus and assignment list completed, so this saves some preparation time. There is still prep involved for the chats and discussion forums for an online class.
There seems to be more communication time with students in an online or blended envrionment and I think this is a good thing.
Natalie,
Fair enough. Thank you so much for the dialogue and sharing your perspective and insights. The challenges of thinking through these issues with other professionals, like you, helps all of us look at online teaching with new insights. Thank you for your contributions.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Sandy,
Well stated. Do you have an opinion as to whether face-to-face or online requires more effort to effectively fulfill the same responsibilities within each environment, or do you estimate they are about the same? Thank you for your contribution and insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Well, it is in my contract that I need to log in regularly and respond to student emails, so I see it as a regular part of the job and not an added responsibility. :) I do think that if teachers make themselves available to students through email or phone in a traditional classroom setting, they have this same accountability to students. If they only hold an office hour and offer no other way to be accessible to students, then I do think there is an eliminated responsibility to stay in touch with students.
I disagree. The responsibilities are the same in face to face and online environments. Our primary responsibitiy is to facilitate and guide the students toward sucessful completion of the learning objectives. Although the responsiblities are the same, the instructional strategies and tools are different.
Natalie,
Well said. Do you find the "more regular" accountability to online students an additional responsibility and does it stand in place of an eliminated responsibility of the traditional setting?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I completely disagree. I have done both, and aside from the commute time and the time spent xeroxing materials, Online and traditional classes require the same committment from the instructor. Research and class prep is still required, grading, student feedback, troubleshooting problems, updating content, following up with students, etc... are all part of learning, no matter what setting. In fact, most classes taught in the traditional setting include the class itself and the live office hour. There isn't much interaction with the student in between those scheduled events unless a problem arises. When the classroom is right at your fingertips, you are accountable to students on a more regular basis.
Matt,
I agree the immediacy and the nonverbal cues in a face-to-face conversation allow less effort toward using precise vocabulary in order to adequately convey an idea. Very good point.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hi!
I think the answer is yes to all. If the traditional on-ground environment is 100% face-to-face, then I will argue that talking is easier than typing.
Conversations happen real time in a face-to-face environment.
Spelling/Grammar/Context all take a bit more effort when putting things to paper (or typing).
If you and I were to just pick up the phone we would resolve this conversation in a few minutes, working asynchronously required more effort.
-- matt
Matt,
The additional asynchronous activities often added to the task list and time commitment of the instructor. However, do those tasks replace activities that would occur during the normal face-to-face class sessions? If so, does this mean the overall responsibilities are the same but the tasks to accomplish them may be more demanding in the online environment?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
