Michelle,
Wow, you said so much! First, you are right that you as an instructor may not be a good fit with a student. It is what it is, you hope that you can adapt to each student. Adaption to the student can be done through feedback. Feedback should be both positive and negative. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Khal,
You are so right about the detailed course syllabus and making sure students are aware how important that information in the syllabus is; it is a contract.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
I don't think it is redundant, I think it is reinforcement. You have to clearly set and hold students to those expectations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephanie,
It makes students to become more responsible which has to be tied to active learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Nicholas,
You make a great point. Assessment should be undertandable and relatable to outcomes. There should be no surprises!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janet,
Great points. You do have to have some knowledge about your student. Online classes take on lives of their own just like f2f and you have to be able to manage as well as engage the students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I believe the ways the content is approached (teaching style) and the way feedback is provided are two important considerations.
When evaluating teaching style I think we should reflect as instructors. Even though I may think I am the best instructor in the world, my students may abhor my style and not learn all they can! Reflection on myself along with reflection on the needs or students is essential when establishing a pattern of teaching. It is hard to break bad habits that have been formed!
Providing effective and timely feedback is also important. As a student myself, it is difficult to wait days and days only to receive a notice that indicates "Good job on your work". Providing feedback that assists the students in applying the materials should always be present in a teaching pattern!
Dr. Wilkinson,
I believe that the two most important things to consider when establishing a pattern for teaching are:
1. Clear effective instructions to navigate within the components of the online course.
2. Detailed course syllabus with links to the discussion board and instructor email in order to give an opportunity to the student to ask questions.
I hate to be redundant, but I find consistency, clear communication and repetition are key. If a student knows clearly what to expect from you and what you are expecting from him or her, then s/he can meet those standards. These have to be clearly communicated and supported week to week, meaning we have follow through on things like the late policy, etc. When students know what to expect or feel they have gotten a good understanding of the instructor, then they can perform with confidence and consistency too!
I really like the idea of a learning contract. It seems to engage students in a way in which they are actively reviewing policy, etc. rather than passively reading it to say they have done so.
You should have a clear set of expectations for assignments and exams. You should also have understandable and related assessments to course objectives.
I think that it is really important to assess what outcomes are expected and then create various ways to make them achievable. This may include some methods that engage visual learners as well as auditory learners etc.
I also think it is really important at the onset to understand the typical population that is going to be in the class. What is their educational background and experience with education? If they are new students or adults returning to school for the first time, that population will respond to material online differently than fully experienced digital natives who have had experience with online learning.
Frances,
This is true. Students will begin to think we aren't paying attention and we are, particularly in discussion boards.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jeremy,
You are right. How do you get students to keep a focus on goals?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
carol,
What great ideas. Your syllabus check is a great idea. You are right, I think they think we don't pay attention; and sometimes instructors don't. It sounds like you aren't one of them!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
carol,
Great post!!! You are right. Kindness, respect, and consideration goes a long way even in online learning. That should be modeled by the instructor as we expect it from our students!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In the learning module, there were 6 elements listed which could be used in establishing a pattern of teaching. Communication to me is the number one element. Without sufficient communication between the instructor and students, whether in the chat session, discussion board assignments, general emails, etc., students will not understand what to do and where it is found in the online classroom. I had to think about the second element I think would be most important but finally settled on questions and answers. It is related to communication but is equally important that students questions are answered. Questions should also be answered in a timely fashion. That can be done easily when in a chat session where students are there real-time. Being sure that questions posted to the discussion boards and responses to emails are completed so that the students have answers and are able to continue in completing the assignments and general learning.
Expecations that are clearly given and course specific contents that are linked to course goals.
I too have been frustrated with students not reading expectations...even though I'm sure I'm guilty of the same in reverse roles. Lol. Using rubrics attached to each assignment has helped, but I still had trouble with expectations regarding make up and /or late work. Soooo I started this quarter taking a few minutes every three weeks or so giving a quick review of expectations and quality of work expected. We also do a "syllabus" check on the last day of the week to show them where we are on the course outline. This seems to have helped in a couple of ways. It forces them to read the syllabi, it helps them stay alert to what's coming up AND it lets them know I'm paying attention. It has helped.
On the other forum there was a comment about soft skills. In today's world students, just people...respond to genuine care and concern and commitment to help them be successful.most students that I meet are daytime workers with children and then classes. They are trying to better themselves in the midst of an often tumultuous life. They want me to somehow show I care.
They also expect me to have the expertise to marry up the curriculum to where they're at in their learning and to take them through what they need to know to be successful. They're time is valuable and they don't want to feel that I'm wasting it.
