Adult learners seem tighter at disclosing personal information
I have found that teaching online is more difficult to get to know the background of a student than face to face instruction. It normally takes at least 3 weeks or six classes for me to really get to know my adult learners. Adult learners seem more shy at giving personal information that do the traditional or face to face learners.
I would agree with this observation Peter, the older students I've worked with (meaning probably 30+ in age) may just likely have a different mindset when it comes to revealing their personal details/information online.
I try to respond to that kind of circumstance by not pressing older students on it too much, but I do try to engage them by perhaps introducing something friendly, that may be interesting but that's not too much -- such as naming a favorite dish or love of travel and places to go, or even talking about a class related hot topic that I found in the news.
It's not a perfect approach, but sometimes it might works without being too intrusive.
Peter,
This is my experience as well. This is why we have to work at sending a message to the online students that we are there to support them and that we respect the experience that they are bringing to the class.
Gary
