Online courses, are a double-edged sword when it comes to time-management issues. On the one hand, students can complete coursework around their own work and family lives. On the other, online courses require students to be more proactive about finding time to do assignments.
A pattern of teaching basically characterizes how an instructor provides information to students and how his/her virtual classroom practice becomes obvious as it is repeated consistently over a period of time is a pattern that must be taught through both. I like using the Wikispaces. Wikispaces makes managing my class a breeze, with tools to handle day-to-day work and features to tackle the special activities.
Christi,
You are right. I also think that you have to information in more than one place. Good answer.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Christi,
You are so smart! You have to manage your workload and that is one of the best ways to do it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have created a habit of checking in to my threads around the same time everyday. Because I work during the day, I want to ensure that I am giving the students the attention that they need. I also challenge my students through our discussion threads by asking them additional questions that will support our learning and allow the students to think deeper about the topic we are discussing.
Christi Monk, MA
Hello:
In my experience I find that providing students with expectations upfront is very important. I ensure that I provide information to my students regarding my preferred style for formatting their papers. I also think that it is important to create a syllabus so that the students understand the assignments that are due and what the due dates are. Setting clear expectations are very important.
Christi Monk, MA
Thomas,
This is a great point!!!! We can create the most beautiful teaching pattern and if we don't sustain it both instructor and student suffer!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael,
You are right about the timeline! That is so important. You build consistency around a timeline. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Todd,
What role does your audience have regarding teaching patterns.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Heather,
You are right. I think you have to continue to reminds students your expectations!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Robert,
I love your comment of being visible and approachable. That is really done by pattern. Nice comments!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gretchen,
Exactly, students do begin to know you by your consistency. That is a great point!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gretchen,
It is interesting that you bring up academic freedom for students. I am not sure what you mean by that? Can you explain?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Timothy,
Great points. I think that you are right, a good teaching pattern eases insecurity. What do you mean by assessment protocols.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Lisa,
How do you make sure that you have consistency? How do you measure the clarity?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
penny,
Yes, front end loading seems to be the best way for most instructors but not everyone is that organized! I do think we "sell short" the importance of organization in the role of learning. Good points.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Nate,
I like your phrase " challenging enough for introspection" You do hope that in developing a teaching pattern that you allow students to internalize the content! Great comments.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sherrilyn,
Great post! You really have to think about navigation as part of the teaching pattern. Set patterns to make students comfortable with the environment which you control!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
susan,
Agreed A "picture" can be worth a thousand words; both bad and good!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The first thing is informing the students of what the pattern will be. They need to know up front when discussions will open, when assignments are due and when feedback will be provided.
The second thing is making sure the pattern is sustainable. Promising feedback too early, not allowing students enough times to respond to a discussion post, trying to accomplish too much in a single week will make the pattern difficult to sustain, which reduces its value.
