Learning Environment Impact for On-Line Courses
When composing my response to Dr. Meyer's main post topic I thought about it a bit and want to also use it as my personal thread as well. If we go strictly by the content in this learning module the learning environment should be a comfortable and supportive learning site that will enable students to focus better on the content of the course.
I teach on-line courses so my Learning Environment is a bit less tactile but still needs to meet the requirements of being comfortable and supportive. Comfort does not come in the form of temperature or chair type/arangement; It comes in the form of establishing a friendly and supportive tone to the course in my Instructor Profile, Discussion Postings, Grading comments and e-mail/IM interaction.
It is very important to put the students at ease with the overall course interaction to allow them to focus on completing the course assignments and tests without feeling intimidated to reach out for help and support throughout the process.
What other methods do some of you who teach in the on-line environment use to comfort the students as well as engage them and promote active participation and dialoge during the quarter?
Hi Laura,
Your comments reflect something that seems in many situations to be missing, respect. By giving feedback, answering emails and showing them you care about their success you are setting and example for them. This is the point where respect becomes two way and both you and your students can enjoy progress through the course.
Gary
Hi Glenn,
Well said. If we can get the students settled into a course to the point they are comfortable and looking forward to learning then we can get them focused on why they are there and the future they have before them.
Gary
In a way comfort does come from the temperature...that is the temperature of my tone within the discussion board, emails, grading, and telephone calls.
In order for my students to obtain a comfort level, I have to do my part with regulating my tone. I try to put myself in the shoes of my students before I reply to their email, answer their question, etc.
Laura
From my perspective the learning environment, whether online or face-to-face needs to be friendly, comfortable and constructive. Perhaps those words overlap a bit in this context but unless the learning experience is positive most of what will be remembered are those elements that made the experience less than positive. I am not suggesting that a learner be given every accommodation, controls and roles need to respected regardless of trends at many institutions. But as stated in module one, the purpose of the classroom is not teaching it is learning.
Hi Joel,
Thank you for sharing your professional development as you gained experience with online teaching. I know your experience will benefit others that are developing their skills in this area currently.
Gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the feedback :). When I first started teaching online I still relied on my natural instructional methods which are fairly "laid-back". I ensure that the students understand the concepts and methods that we work through, but use positive reinforcing techniques that place emphasis what they are doing properly and then build upon that to show where a particular element/concept needs to be improved.
My e-mail etiquette and style is a bit less formal that what I generally see promoted for instructor interaction. I use a lot of ':)', and insert a fair amount of humor into my discussions which I know can be a delicate balance.
On-the-whole though, I have found this to be a very effective way to create a bond with the students that I never see face-to-face and generally receive comments in my instructor reviews that reference their appreciation of my approach, the use/over-use :) of ':)' and grading comments that focus on the positive (generally ending in something like 'Keep up the good work!').
Hi Joel,
Great comments about creating a comfortable learning environment. Your definition and mine agree on "comfort". It is a place that is conducive to learning whether it is a physical site or online. You are creating such an setting with your online efforts and I know your students feel comfortable and supported by your efforts.
Gary
