Online Courses
I enjoyed this section of the course because I liked how it covered that online courses need to be simple to navigate, they need to have interaction in the courses, and they need to be intellectual where the students can learn from them, even if they aren't in the classroom. I think that the instructor is key to the success of the online classroom.
Dan,
It is funny that a class can speak for itself!
Shelly Crider
I'm an instructor, and am taking online courses to enrich my own knowledge. It's very obvious when the course instructor is not well organized, or has little experience designing such a course.
Alfretta,
We do need to push for free thinking....you never know where one of the students just might be the next Bill Gates!!
Shelly Crider
Shelly, I agree that the instructor is the focal point in orchestrating the class by having an exciting learning environment or a routine leaning environment that just seems to focus on facts and/or figures and not include some personal experiences in the discussion.
So in discussion forums, instructors should foster engaging student participation and encourage free thinking.
Alfretta
Dara,
We like the feel of an empowered student as it will push them to the next assignment!!
Shelly Crider
In my opinion, Module 1 offered several important concepts for instructors to put to use. I think that navigational simplicity is something that can not be emphasized enough. Making information accessible to students empowers them.
I agree with both of you. As an instructor, I've notice on a number of feedbacks that I made the class exciting and fun to learn. I figure no matter the topic, if you deliver it with passion and excitement, the students will respond well! Thus, your retention stays high!
Ashley,
I absolutely agree that the instructor can make or break a class. You can take a very dull and unexciting class and put an instructor in it that speaks of personal experience and now the class will become the students favorite class!
Shelly Crider
