Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Brittany,
Good way to set the tone for the way the class is going to operate. This gives the students boundaries in which they know they have to operate and as a result greatly reduces challenges that the students may raise.
Gary

Dr. Gary Meers

Brittany Barrow

For my computer class I inform students of the classroom policies and my expectations from them. I also inform students that their computer activity will be monitored from me from the main computer. This technique usually prevents most students from going on sites like facebook. As a result they find more productive things to do on their own such as assisting other students who need help on assignments.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Alicia,
I use this approach as well. With peer sharing the level of social interaction and the development of skills at working together increase as well as the learning aspect.
Gary

Alicia Hope

i have the same problem with my computer classes sometimes. The students that already know how to work that computer and certain applications are able to complete the tasks given the them and get bored if they have nothing else to do. One of the things i do is have the students that are computer savvy help those student that are not.

Karla Wright-Giles

I have taught online for the past 5 years. And, I have found that interactive assignments are very helpful. For example, if students are uncomfortable with technology, I provide them a basic how to (i.e. access Internet references, and then ask them to share with the rest of the class (via forum/live chat)what they learned that is applicable to the course subject matter. I then ask for their opinion on the topic to engage debate. At this point, typically those students who are more computer saavy will engage or re-engage to provide more clarity and/or their opinion. Students who are computer saavy get bored very easily in intro level classes, and this is a way for them to share their real-life expertise/experience.