Will it make sense to the students?
In reviewing this module, I think the question that was posed: Will the course module make sense to the students? is probably the simplest and the most complicated of all. It is not easy to design courses that students can easily navigate and understand.
Victoria,
I like this system. It helps students feel more comfortable and know they are not alone. Sounds like it is working for your institution. Thanks for sharing.
Over the last few years, our school has gone from solely ground classes, to hybrid (synchronous), to hybrid (asynchronous). I agree that it tends to be older students who struggle moreso technologically. However, during every student's initial week of school he/she is required to attend an on-ground IT orientation, a "ground" online class, and an at-home "tech-check." This tends to ease insecurities, technical issues, and navigational frustrations, as the first online class is actually face-to-face and questions can be asked/answered immediately and directly. These first-week activities have helped immensely since they were instituted!
rebecca,
Love that saying. It can be so true especially when teaching.
Thanks for your input.
genius seeks simplicity: we must use simple language rather than technospeak & impressive sounding terms.
Jingxi,
Thanks for adding to the conversation and bringing the term adult keeners into the fold. We have to keep that in mind.
Thanks.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Hi, Cathleen:
I totally agree with you. This is more important for online course and for adult education institutions. These students are street smart, but may be academically behind because they have been out of school for a long time, or never learned the basics when they were young. So it is very tricky to communicate to them in a way that they can easily understand, but do not insult their intelligence.
Jingxi Liu
Sarah,
Right on. I have never done everything right the very first time. We need to pay attention to what we need to change to make things better. Thanks.
It does seem like teaching the class a few times helps to really find what works and what doesn't. At the same time, I've found it helpful to pay attention to each individual class to see what works. Since every class is unique there will be at least one every now and then where what has worked for the majority isn't going to be as helpful. It seems like it is necessary to combine best practices from before and to learn enough about each class to know when to try something completely new...even if it seems like it might not work. :)
-Sarah
Marie and Valerie,
You bring up very good points about the variety of students we teach. Age is one such variable, but also think about family responsibilities, social economic level, disabilities, etc. We do get a wide variety of students and we need to reach them all. Thanks!
Valerie,
I am with you there! Also each student is different obviously from one session to another and I always learn something from them as well. My students range from 18 something to 60 something and everywhere in between. I love to have students with such varied experiences because I get so much out of their input as well.
Denise,
Students with technology experience do approach online courses differently than those with no experience. It's good to get them all up to speed. Thanks for your input.
In my experience it comes down to how well the student knows how to use a computer. Some students that have had years of using the computer and navigate through any class.
However, an older student that has not had computer experience really does struggle with assignments and linking assignments. It is important that they have a baseline knowledge of computers before they start the class.
Denise Haynes
Elizabeth,
Simple is good. Thanks!
Dr. Tena B. Crews
This is so well said!!!
I try to use very simple language with my students so they can understand what I am saying!!
Melissa and Cathleen,
Thanks for continuing the conversation in this forum. We learn from each other's experience. Thanks for sharing.
Cathleen,
You are absolutely right that educators should make every effort to present learning material in a way that comes across to the student. Reminds me of an important lesson I learned the hard way when giving my first academic conference paper--oral presentations are not the same as written papers! I have taken that lesson into the classroom, knowing that it is important to balance the information I want to convey with realistic assessments of what my student audience should/can get from an oral presentation.
Concetta,
Yes, we all learn and teach in a variety of ways. Providing your content in a variety of ways is beneficial. Thanks!
Valerie,
Yes, it seems to take about three times that I teach something before I feel like I really have it "down pat." Thanks for your input.
Douglas and Cathleen,
Thanks for adding to the conversation.
