Get Your Students Hired
I feel that communication as well as question and answer are two important things.
By effectively communicating with the students, we are able to accurately answer any questions they may have. This in turn can help with the understanding of the material and, hopefully, aid in getting assignments submitted as required.
David
Belinda,
That is true. Students need to be able to find the "classroom" and to feel comfortable in that classroom.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
William,
True! That is what will put students at ease in an unfamiliar environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Alan,
I agree with you to a point. I think you have to establish a "presence" but you can do that without feeling you are online all the time. It must be clearly articulated to students; that is the secret.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Cecil,
Well said. I think you are so right about holding facilitators to reasonable expectations. Students should hold instructors to it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello Dr. Wilkinson: I believe the two most things to consider when establishing a pattern of teaching is to ensure students know how to find and use the technology. If students can not find the learning modules or know how to use the modules, learning will not occur.
Dr. B
The first would be the Learning Outcome which everything is based on.
Nexgtwould be clearly explaining what the expectations are of the students providing rubrics and instructions for the deliverables.
Each of these seem to be the most important to the students as well so that they know where they are and where they are going in the course.
I'll stick with asynchronous learning for my response, although f-2-f or online would have similar requirements. #1 consider the needs of the students. As an example, if a student is taking an asynchronous course, why are they doing that. Are they trying to juggle family and two jobs? With that in mind, is it realistic and important that the student log into the class and participate every day? Is it reasonable to expect the student to have read all the assignments before the week or unit begins? #2 As an instructor it is important to build in a 'presence'. In 12 years of teaching online I cannot think of a holiday during a term that I have not at least checked into the class and responded to any questions. Daily presence by the instructor is important.
Hi Dorothea,
These are certainly important in establishing a pattern of teaching. What do you think is the most effective communication media for online courses? What is the most effective content delivery method in your discipline?
Regards,
Cecil
I believe the two most important things to consider in establishing a pattern of teaching are:
1. Develop reasonable expectations for both instructor/facilitator and the students in the class, including learning outcomes for the students and the instructor/facilitator’s role in helping students achieve those learning outcomes.
2. And, setting very clear guidelines for meeting each of those expectations to include what the instructor/facilitator expects from the students and what the students can expect from the instructor/facilitator.
Precise assignment directions and deliverable deadlines for those assignments should be established. How the instructor/facilitator will help students meet those deliverable deadlines with quality deliverables should also be communicated.
Jeanice,
Good point. You really have to redefine what is your presence.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Patricia,
I agree with you completely. You need multitple access points to the material and repetition in content and framework.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
That the students understand how to navigate the online class and that they understand that I am there for them whether they "see" me or not.
Jeanice Porta, CPC, CPC-I
I think it is really important, particularly for students who may be new to the online learning environment, to have a course content and assignment design which is repeated consistently over a period of time.
Secondly, it is important for me, as the facilitator, to be actively involved in Discussion Boards, asking open ended questions, and furthering the discussion for everyone.
Brian,
I have noticed that too! Do you think they subscribe to "out of sight, out of mind?"
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Carla,
How do you do that? Do you provide students multiple ways to learn objectives?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Carl
How do you discuss your teaching style? Do you adjust based on student needs?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Eileen ,
Well said. You do need to know the online environment. Learners become frustrated when we can't help them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Barbara,
So how to you manage workload if you are talking with students one on one multiple times?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson