I have found this to be true. I have used ground materials in conversions to online courses and found that tools and help must be available to make the instructional process understandable to the student. By this I mean simple (a better word might be concise), to the point instructions and rationale for assignments as well as their relevance, and the student’s responsibilities in assignment (and course) completion. This is a “pay forward†notion looking for points where clarification might be lacking and where students will not “raise a hand†for help. In the ground course you can see the quizzical look on the students’ faces where online they may take a stab at it based on what they believe. Having them resubmit is probably a function of the misunderstanding at which point I would fully explain the shortfall in the submitted assignment for the resubmission while making changes in the instructions for the assignment for future use to cover that base. I have also found that the ground course might be an environment more conducive to individual communication on assignment understanding where the online student, after procrastination, might e-mail the instructor with a problem or confusion and with the looming deadline.
I believe it requires more time and thoughtfulness to develop an online course as opposed to the traditional face-to-face course. An online course must include anticipated questions and more specific information as the student does not have theinstructor immediately present to ask a question as they read through the syllabus, lesson plan, or general objectives.
I disagree. I think that it takes more time to develop an online course than a traditional classroom. Writing out lesson plans, finding additional teaching resources, and developing objectives, evaluations, assignments, etc, may require the same amount of planning. However, finding the right technology, making sure that the correct tone and language is being used, and organizing the content so that learners are comfortable navigating through the course may require more time and planning.
wyshondia,
Updating and making sure everything is line out does take your time.
Shelly Crider
I disagree; I believe you need more time to develop an online course. You have to consider more things when developing an online course. You have to consider how am I going to present the material so that I can reach all students. The student that may have multiple things going on like work and family. Preparing for your online course is more time consuming than the online setting.
Adrianna,
I like that you put effort into all your classes!
Shelly Crider
Rocio,
We do want a good, clean, educational site!
Shelly Crider
Hi Ms. Crider,
As an educator that has taught in both delivery formats. I find the time to be about the same. I have created online classes with audio lectures that I have recorded. Instead of in the live face to face class where I just speak and continue when I record I find myself starting over to get the recording just right which takes longer. But I think overall it take the same amount of time. I put the same effort into grading students assignments and providing a dialouge with students on the discussion board. So I have found they take about the same time in my experience.
Thank you,
Adrianna Davis
I disagree. I think it takes a little more time because it involve a online design, using and including more activities to get the students engaged during the virtual class (chats, forums, model answers, feedback, etc) and perhaps coordination with the IT team.
Charlene,
Attention to detail is a must in an online class. It drives me crazy when I find a spelling error!!
Shelly Crider
I think it would require more time to create a quality online course. In the traditional setting, the instructor would be face to face with the class. In the online class you have to take into consideration all of the components and layout of the course. You also have to create items you would not have to create in an on ground environment such as videos, discussion boards, online quizzes/assessments, email addresses, assignments, gradebook, etc.
Cameron,
Once a year the poor accounting classes have to be updated as info changes on the 1st of the year!
Shelly Crider
It definitely takes more time to develop an online course the first time but assuming the subject matter hasn't changed the instructor will experience less time in preparation assuming that the course is well structured and formulated.
Besides the time an instructor might save by not needing to physically rehearse lecture material, an online course requires just as much time as classroom delivery.
It may even require more time, as I think it is even more important in the online environment to think about how best to present the material, since you as the instructor aren't physically present to encourage involvement.
Jenny ,
Welcome to college instructing! I think you will enjoy building your experience. I highly recommend a resource file that you can use over and over!
Shelly Crider
As a relatively new instructor I have never developed an on-ground course. I do know the on-line course development takes a lot of time, preparing, checking content and adding interactive tools for the student.
Michael,
Good point. There are times we get stale in our online classes and need to give them a little boost.
Shelly Crider
Henry,
Online will need to be checked for grammar/spelling errors and that all links work. This is the biggest difference.
Shelly Crider
Donald,
I hope that instructors have use of resources to pass on to the students or be able to inform students where to find resources.
Shelly Crider
Shelly,
As David indicated the more you engage in developing the content of the online course, the better you will get at it. I also understand what some are referring to when they are talking about the lectures but like everything else once you create the lecture for your class then you get pretty proficient at it and later can use notes or key phrases to guide you during instruction. To some extent the lecturing section is a little better because it should be geared more towards facilitation. No one (I think even amongst ourselves) likes to sit and listen to someone talk for an extended period of time. The traditional classroom is a good base but the standard is the standard and engagement with students in both environments is what will make you successful.
Michael
