I have to disagree. We have to same responsibilities regardless of the setting (online or in a traditional classroom setting). We have to deliver the same outcomes. The only difference maybe the tools and methodologies we use to deliver the content. We are here to provide the best possible experience for our students.
Robert Schuetz
I would disagree. Many of the same responsibilities are included, although the focus may shift from one to another. For instance, in a traditional setting, more synchronous discussion is used. This presents the instructor with differing goals than when monitoring or engaging in asynchronous discussions.
Instructors will find that they allot different ammounts of time and energy to different responsibilities when teaching between the two situations. However, the main concepts are the same and the main responsibilities are similar.
Revonna,
Yes, the traditional classroom conflicts can differ in nature from the online.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
David,
Very well stated. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
william,
Yes, the discussion is very demanding.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree. I actually think there is more responsibility. I have to find different delivery techniques to get the information across. Keeping a discussion going takes alot of time over almost everyday of the week.
The responsibilities are very similar but the lack of ability to engage in person makes it more difficult to form relationships , gauge understanding and provide help.
I am not certain that online learning has reached its full potential and find that as it is developed more the lines will begin to blur. This will eventually lead to the responsibilities and outcomes to sharing more similarities.
Frances, this is certainly something to think about. I find that online facilitation can be a little more challenging when you are reaching out to students and of course this can be a slight challenge to students as well. You have an idea of those students who feel a little intimidated, and sometimes they will express themselves openly. It is always good to know what methods work better with students, how can you get students more involved? Thanks for sharing.
I feel that the instructor’s responsibilities should be the same when teaching the same course online versus traditional classroom setting. We must continue to provide support and give directions. We also have to provide critical thinking to the learning process as well as provide our necessary credentials to teach the subject matter course. However, there is a difference with the skills involved in teaching online versus traditional classroom setting. On an online environment you have more flexibility to focus on the at risk students and those who are struggling without them feeling embarrassed or inferior. There is less minimizing of classroom disruption, bullying, disrespectfulness, and conflict and resolution in an online environment. Please note that I am stating that there is less conflicts online as oppose to traditional classroom setting, however, I feel there is less direct involvement, whereas in a traditional setting sometimes the problems can continue to escalate.
Hi Tim,
I agree with your assessment of the question. Online instructors and instructors in the traditional classroom have the same responsibilities with difference methods of teaching. The responsibilities include, but are not limited to: teaching the course materials, grading, providing formative feedback, mentoring, etc. As an online instructor, these responsibilities are carried out in an online environment. In the classroom, they are carried out in person. Great post!
Kelly
I disagree. I think there is more work involved when you are teaching an online course. When you are in face to face course, the student has a question they can ask you and receive an immediate answer. You can go over the homework and the student will get immediate feedback. However, in an online course, when the student has a question, they have to send you an email and hopefully they word the question in such a way that you will understand what they are asking for. Then you have to answer their email and try to answer in such a way that they will understand what you are trying to say.
Karen,
Yes, that barrier of distance can be very difficult to overcome when the student passively uses it to avoid something in the online class. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Having taught in both environments, online settings are more of a challenge. An instructor can do everything possible to communicate with students, but they can always choose not to respond. In a regular classroom, students are less likely to avoid responding since you are face-to-face. So online responsibilities may include going the extra mile in reaching out to students. Sometimes a phone call is the only way.
I disagree. The responsibilities are very similar to each other in terms of major tasks like monitoring student participation, communicating with students, and ensuring that content gets across to the students. Furthermore, the methods by which these larger task are accomplished changes requiring the online instructor to master new methods of online interaction and communication.
I suppose in some cases it depends on the employer. I have worked in one setting where the expectations for the online course were exactly the same as for the regular classroom session of the same course. The approach was somewhat different, naturally...but in the end, the expectations were essentially the same. This was several years ago and I think we have all learned a lot since then, but I only relate that to note that the expectations probably are different and institutionally-specific. What do you think? Does this make sense?
CAROL,
Very well presented. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Anthony,
Agreed. Guiding the students to the successful attainment of the class objectives is the point.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Samia,
I believe your observation of the ambiguity is very accurate. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Sandy, I have to totally agree with you. The destination and goal are the same in both settings but how we get there differ.
Well said.
Samia
I both agree and disagree because this statement tends to be a bit general. The responsibility of ensuring that the subject matter has been shared fully and that the learners have benefitted from the learning process and the material content is paramount in both settings.
The methods/techniques may vary but the effort towards retention and student success are the same.
Samia
