Rapport with students in online classroom
I think that the rapport an instructor has with students is so important for success. I am new to teaching online and have been concerned about establishing rapport with students over the computer. This seems much easier to achieve face-to-face because so much can be communicated in facial expression, etc.
I am interested in what instructors have found to help in this area.
Hi Steven,
Good point. Instructors need to be adept at reading the nonverbal messages being sent by students. This way the instructors can respond and be supportive of the needs of the students.
Gary
I understand what you are talking about because in a traditional classroom there are many non-verbal messages. I always try to encourage students with phrases like: good work, well done, good job, etc. Students seem to respond to this.
I've found it helpful to add a personal component to the discussion boards. For example, if the initial question is about a concept from motor learning, the follow-up question can ask them about their own experience. This validates students' personal experience and allows them to draw valuable connections to the material. (The are also less likely to be reticent when the topic is themselves!)
Hi Ralph,
Good suggestion on how to engage students into the online discussion process. What are some of the major successes you have had with getting students engaged with the online discussion boards?
Gary
I have found that asking students questions about their posts and responses in the discussion board is a good way to get them to talk about themselves and to get them to loosen up a bit. They can get pretty mechanical, otherwise. If I don't show that I am actually engaged with them that way, they will go though the motions and won't put in or get out of the experience everything they could.
