Closing the loop
I think that when working on-line it is important to respond to each and every student in a timely fashion. Communication is key and we(instructors) have to be aware that we can lose the student without it.
Craig,
It is an important part of teaching to decipher which students need how much feedback and in what format. As we have a variety of learners in every course, we have to continue to work to meet our students' needs. Keep up the good work.
It is also an art to identify the students who need more feedback than others. Some move through the material without any problem and don't require much in the way of feedback. It might even be said that time could be better spend on other students who value and need the feedback more.
Some students, even those doing well, need more feedback than others. Again, it is an art to identify those who need the extra time and focus on them as much as possible. It is easy to try and put the same effort into all students, but with a limited amount of time in the day there are students who will improve more from even a few more minutes being devoted to the feedback.
Unfortunately I don't have a magic ball that tells me which students need the extra time and which don't. I have to start by offering a similar amount of feedback to all and then modifying that based on communication back from the student. It seems that by the time the class if concluding I have a pretty good idea who needs more feedback than others -- just when the class finishes. :)
I agree! Our students need timely and extensive feedback! This is even more crucial in online classes, I think!!
Lia,
You are right on! Communication is the key. Without it, the students are lost, no one understand the expectations, etc.
Thanks!
