Managing Learner Behaviors - 2
Consider the following posts to the discussion:
Learner 1 post to Learner 2: "I feel that this course is very difficult, and I just don't get the concept. I am trying, but I can't see me passing and I am not good at failure."
Learner 1 post to Learner 3: "I wish that I had the ideas running through my head that you do. Great post."
Learner 1 post to Learner 4: "I read your post and I am afraid that I have gotten overwellmed. I am just hoping to get through this class. I came from another program and I am really feeling that I made a mistake. I hope not, I really want to complete this program. That is my dream for many years."
Based on the discussion posts of Learner 1 to other learners in the discussion forum, describe how you will handle this situation. What strategies will you use to support this learner?
I would send a personal email to Learner 1 and tell him/her that I noticed that they feel as if they are struggling with the content so far. I would encourage them to contact me directly with these concerns and to not post those concerns to the discussion board.
To support them, I would ask them for specifics in terms of what it was they "don't get". I would reassure them that my goal for them is to absolutely pass the class. I would also ask them to explain to me what program they came from and what precipitated them choosing this current program. That will give me some background as to their experiences.
I would have a private conversation with learner 1 (e-mail, phone conversation, or chat) to discuss the course requirements and where the student is becoming overwhelmed. If possible, I would help the student set up a study schedule to help understand the objectives of the course. After the conversation I would monitor the students progress and schedule a follow-up to see if the students is making positive progress.
It appears that Learner 1 is feeling overwhelmed and emotional about the course content. I would start by addressing this directly with the student by sending them a personal email to offer assistance and support. I would also try to set up a chat session directly with the student to address their concerns and try to get to the bottom of the issue. I might also provide some direction for responding in the chat with other students, as well as provide some sample response for this student to review in an effort to assist with coming up with their own ideas on how to answer questions and respond to other students in the discussion forum.
If the program is indeed the "dream" this student has had "for many years", hopefully the direct attention from the instructor would help them feel supported and willing to continue with the course.
The student is disillusioned and is now questioning his or her decisions. My approach would be to first contact the student by email. I would ask for a good time to contact the student.I would then call the student and encourage this person. I would make the best effort to make the student feel supported and encourage them to allow me to help them get through the class. Then they would have time to reevaluate the path they are on. Making decisions when things are overwhelming can often result in bad judgment.
Based on their level of participation in the discussion t seems that this Learner is not feeling alienated, but definitely feels overwhelmed with either the workload or the complexity of the material.
I would definitely send a personal message to the Learner, first asking what their reasons were for switching to this program from another one, along with what specific concepts they are having trouble getting. In the ensuing discussion, I would encourage them to focus on the positives of why they felt switching to this program was right for them, and ask leading questions to help them find the root of why they may not be understanding the material, along with specific tips to help them along the path. It may be that they may not understand exactly what it is they are not "getting," so I would help them with that.
Along with this strategy would be genuine words of encouragement, helping them to focus on the fact that this has been their dream for many years.
This would be a student that I would call on the phone. Learner one is discouraged and I would want to get a plan going with the student for getting back on track. I would also call in academic services and coaching to assist the student. Once the student and I identify a plan of action I would check in regularly with the student and follow up to see that responses to peers are on track and no longer cries for help.
I would personally contact Learner 1 either by e-mail, chat, phone or Skype to determine why Learner 1 feels the course is very difficult, overwhelming, and that his responses are ineffective and not the quality he would like. Learner 1 may need time management skills and priority setting skills; may need frequent feedback and interim progress reports; may need to be reminded of his hopes, dreams, and goals. I would suggest to Learner 1 to take time to read and utilize assigned reference material and to conduct his own research before responding to discussion threads. Learner 1 could use a word document to create his response then cut and paste into thread. I would also encourage participation by reminding that his response should be grammatically correct and to avoid texting format, however, it is a casual conversation as would happen in the classroom. Responses do not need to be written in a formal, professional format such as APA.
Hi Dr. Brown,
For learners in my classrooms the first thing I do when entering any learners response to a classmate is thank them for their response to Doe.
For learner 1, I would encourage them to look in the learning materials for extra research avenues I provide. Determine if this would help their topic knowledge.
I would also encourage them by email requesting them to tell me what specifically is giving them problems and explain that it is not uncommon for a learner to get stumped much like a writer gets writer's block.
I would ask the student to provide in an addendum to their biography something of their goals and what they want to get out of their degree. While I would not initially say it there is a possibility that their goals do not match their major and advising them to consider another track might be appropriate.
David
Bret,
Good way to address this scenarios. I like how you were positive and supporting to the students in all of your solutions. I have found that online students sometimes need a little more assistance especially on the front end as they adjust to this new learning style.
Herbert Brown III
In reference to the response Learner 1 made to Learner 2, I would start by trying to determine which concepts they are struggling with. Often, getting over that first hurdle shows the student that they are capable of being successful and that will bolster their confidence.
The second post made to Learner 3 where the comment was “Great Post†I would ask Learner 3 to ask Learner 1: “What was it that you liked about my post?†Learner 1 might come out of their shell and be more responsive to a fellow learners request rather than having the instructor ask them to expand on their reply.
For the third scenario, when students say they are feeling over whelmed that’s an indicator that there may be factors other than school competing for the students time. I could discuss them with the student and offer advice on time management or offer extensions for course work to ease the students stress levels.
Online learning behaviors are sometimes problematic, in that you may not notice the lack of participation. It is important to use the Internet and email Netiquette and teach students about their responsibility. As an instructor when you enter a discussion group that’s new to you, take time to look around. The reason I state this, I recently had an instructor who created bad behavior within the classroom. Read messages for a few days to get a sense of how the people who are already there act. Bad information spreads like wildfire on online discussions.
I’ve had many students like this. I’ve tried to think about what might cause someone to have such low self-esteem but I think it’s probably deeply rooted in their personality. Most of the time, the work they submit isn’t nearly as bad as they think it is.
Generally, I feel that a phone call works better for my particular style of communication, so I’ll often send the student an email asking if we can speak over the phone. Once on the phone, I can usually get a better idea of the type of motivation the student needs to push through the self-deprecating wall. Some students come from an army background and need a bit more of a straightforward/professional touch when I tell them not to worry. Others need a bit more “hand holding†so to speak. They seem to respond positively if I build up their work and try to convince them they have a skewed perspective of their product.
Herbert,
I would tell this student they were lucky motivational speaking is one of my passions so that I can turn them onto Joel Osteen, TD Jakes, Les Brown, Jack Canfield, and Dr.Wayne Dyer. Once I gave them a few of the aforementioned speakers videos, they would learn to shoot for the moon because even if they miss they will land amond the stars.
Sincerely,
Vince
Obvious to me, Learner 1 is reaching out for help. I sense a desire to succeed in them which means I am doubly-eager to reach out to them personally via email or phone to assist.
My purpose would be to (1) through kind coaching, motivate them to stay in class, (2) schedule 1-on-1 tutoring time if they wish, and (3) advise them to engage more fully in the discussions by submitting feedback that is on topic and displays critical thinking. Then I would assist them in learning how to do that by providing examples of model postings from the class.
There may also be additional educational support services through the college that the student could use so that are not so "overwhelmed."
Learner 1 is expressing low self esteem issues and uncertainty. I would address this by suggesting a more positive mindset and focus on the learning. I would probably either send the student a personal email and/or call the student to listen to the students concerns and give positive approaches for success in the class.
First I would call or chat with Learner 1 explaining I want this student to be successful and ask how I could help this learner on his or her feeling of being overwhelmed.
Another tactic would be to post a general discussion form like “Pathway to an A†where I would post time management and assignment tips to aid everyone in the class.
Further, I would send the student a constructive email on the requirements of interacting and providing feedback to other student with examples. This student does not seem to understand on how to provide feedback and information to a peer. In my classes, I provide a presentation on how to answer discussion questions, interact with fellow students, examples of interactions, and guidelines.
I would reach out to learner 1 immediately. I would send an email to the student with a note encouraging the student to meet with me in a private chat so we could discuss his/her concerns. The student is clearly feeling overwhelmed and alienated. It's important to encourage such students to reach out to you the instructor with specific concerns.
Folks,
I recently had a student that nearly fits this scenario to a T.
Despite doing all I could this student remained negative, even though the student maintained a really good grade.
I even explained that I was merely maintaining the schools policy, but the student did all that was possible to get me to violate that policy. The student even called the school and complained.
I do believe that the student should have the ability to express personal opinions, and even encourage them doing so. My behavior is to not let it interfere in how I judge or grade the student's performance.
Janis,
Excellent approach. I have been trying to find an approach that fits my personality and this is the best one.
Thanks
