I humbly disagree with your statement.
I think every responsibility I had with on-ground students applies to my online students, if not more responsibility.
With on-ground, I could immediately deal with any potential issues. There was, generally, no delay.
But, with online, there is a delay. Plus, in writing, there is more room for misinterpretation than talking with the student.
Sincerely,
Dr. Albert
Good thoughts Jocelyn,
I believe the delivery method certainly aids in producing a desirable outcome. I like using web x instead of the chat tool. In web x I can design a powerpoint around the topic and also have the luxury of chat.
Your idea of regular reminders though announcements and emails are a good way to keep the student motivated and aware.
Pamela Asbury
William,
I have found the same. I teach online and on ground and other than tools, the general pedagogy is the same. The need to diversify our instructional strategies also remains the same and need for good communication with our students.
Herbert Brown III
Over the years, I have found that online teaching requires a bit more focus and following than my F2F classes. But in on the whole, the responsibilites are the same. I approach both with the same mindset and goals, just different platfortms for delivery.
Teaching a course online does not equate to the same responsibilities when teaching the same course in a traditional classroom setting.
To a certain extent, I disagree with this statement. The responsibilities of an instructor are the same, whether teaching in an online setting or a traditional classroom setting. However, I do think that the online instructor has more responsibilities.
I find myself doing more "hand-holding" in an online course. As an online instructor, I must be sure to reach out to the struggling students and let them know that I am there to assist them. It's not always easy to identify the areas where a student is struggling.
Andrea,
You said it so well there is not much if anything I can add.
I have taught both in-class and online, and as stated there are advantages and disadvantages to both. I like your way of stating it that we should minimize disadvantages and maximize the advantages in both.
All teaching forums necessitate the same responsibilities whether it is online or in a traditional classroom. Just as real learning may be achieved equally in each environment, the responsibility of all involved is also the same for institution, instructor and student. It is necessary to maintain the integrity of all the above for without such responsibility a lack of trust may become counterproductive to all.
I disagree with this statement. Whether online or face-to-face, our job is to present the information to our students in a way that they understand, learn, and retain it to best suit them in the future. Our methods of doing so may be different, but the responsibilities are the same. As an online instructor, we may also have more difficulty determining if a student is having trouble if the student doesn't reach out to us specifically. It is our job to stay savvy on our student behaviors and outreach as soon as possible once a problem is noticed.
This brings up a very good point. I have been teaching in a traditional class room setting and the potential for interactions outside of class hours is more limited. I am considering online teaching and can see where this may be an issue. Clear definitive guidelines on instructor feedback should be posted on the class home page so there is no misunderstandings as the course progesses. Maybe posted online contact hours specifically set aside for help would also work, as long as you kept to the schedule. I am taking online classes myself and get frustrated when grades are not posted for major works before the next assigment is due. This does not leave any room for adjustments if you are not completing them in the manner your instructor wishes. I think this would be an issue decidedley different than a class setting although I have had numerous students email me on weekends and late at night for help so it would not be completely unfamiliar. Good topic to bring up to prepare everyone for that possibility.
I feel the responsibilities are very similar. The course must be managed appropriately by providing feedback to student concerns, managing the online environment, and providing students with a positive learning experience.
I think that the responsibilities differ in some ways for online and traditional classroom settings. I think in both, the instructors have a responsibility to be the best teacher they can be for their students. For a tradiational classroom, the instructor is required to physically be there and are able to really connect with the students one on one. For online, the instructor is required to always be avaialbe for the students because they are working around the students schedule which could be always at night, or always in the day. Regardless of when or where the class takes place, the instructor has a responsibility to be there to support and guide the students.
I do not think that there are different responsibilities when teaching a course online or in a traditional classroom setting; you are there to teach the course, that is your sole responsibility, and are there to help students when they need it and to guide them in the right direction for optimum learning. I do think that online those responsibilities can be a bit more challenging, especially without the advantage of being face-to-face to see when a student is struggling and assist them.
The responsibilities that we have to our students, whether onground or online are the same. We need to deliver the course content in a way that the student can understand and grow their skills and knowledge-base. The methods for onground and online course delivery are different with advantages and disadvantages to each. It is our responsibility to minimize any disadvantages that is inherent in the course delivery method and maximize any advantages. I think that a blended learning approach would be most desirable whenever the opportunity for one exists.
Herbert/class,
I would concur that teaching in an online setting requires different skill sets than that of a traditional course room.
In a traditional setting we go to class as professors on the specified days and check email and have office hours.
In the online environment at least I find that I need to be online at least five to six days a week, and in the classroom adding to the discussion.
Thus, I think the online environment requires a more hands on approach in my view.
I have taught the same course online and in person. The biggest difference for me is in finding a connection with online learners. It's easier to make the connection in the classroom. I can remember who they are and they feel some kind of responsibility toward me as an instructor.
Online, students can lurk in the shadows, so to speak, and it becomes more difficult for me to figure out who they are and keep them engaged. There is a greater requirement of me to reach out to the student in the online environment.
I disagree. Teaching online carries the same responsibilities as teaching in a classroom. We have an obligation to do our best to make students successful and prepare them for careers. Someone said the online environment is more intimate and I agree. Students will share more problems online than in a classroom as there is the appearance of privacy. In both delivery modes we need to keep up with our subject matter, recognize students have different learning styles, resolve conflict and work to minimize attrition. Our responsibilities to the student and the learning institution are identical, regardless of delivery method.
I disagree as I think both online and a traditional classroom setting have the same responsibilities. This would also depend on the school and what they require from their online instructors. Another factor would be if the instructors were adjunct, full time, or contractors.
If contractors, I think the responsiblity is less since they're technically not eomployed by the school.
I agree that teaching a course online does not equate to the same responsibilities when teaching the same course in a traditional classroom. In an online setting there are so many more factors at play: technology, alienation, perception issues, the lack on non-verbals and different types of students. There are so many other things to take into account and work to overcome in the online classroom with the non-traditional student.
Herbert;
Teaching online has its own set of responsibilities not found in a traditional classroom. For me, these involve technological challenges ("navigating the system"), and the absence of physicality - no verbal, facile, or body cues in the online course communications, and the ever present issue of academic engagement by the student. Thus far , these issues have remained unsettled for me. I find myself relying heavily on school policy and procedures as both benchmarks for performance and safety nets in the event a student becomes less than participative. Thanks.
Dan Campagna
Online courses require a higher level of responsibility from the instructor. In a traditional classroom you can take care of most student needs during the time frame of the class. With an online course there needs to be a strong instructor presence at all times which requires the instructor to check the online course on a frequent basis.
