Online Teaching
I have been teaching at the university level in the classroom in excess of 13 years and August 2013 will mark my one year anniversary teaching online. What I have discovered during the past year teaching online, and what I learn from this course is that presentation of course materials in a concise and consistent manner is a very effective tool, in addition to the depth of the information to be presented to the student. Since the end result is to get student to learn, online instructor must be at all time cognizant not to overwhelm the learning community. Providing supplemental material is critical but there certainly is a fine line when determining the correct amount of information-the length is important, too long and you will loose the attention of the student.
Cyndy,
Concise and clear reminders/announcements can be beneficial to the students. It is like teaching the content, we have to chunk the information in smaller bites. Thanks for your input.
Having been with online teaching since 2010 I was so green in the beginning, but I have learned that drilling and re presenting the announcements are constant reinforcement to the students trigger points. They need to constantly have reminders to assist them to stay on track. HOWEVER the students seem to have short attention and if the message is lengthy I tend to loose them. Short and sweet and specific to their needs seem to assist them best.
Jennifer,
You are a quick learner. ;-) Keep up the good work and you'll continue to learn more and more. I learn something new every day. Thanks!
kathy,
So, how much of your "semi-online" course is online? The LMS we use prevents students from opening other screens and from printing screens. Also, if you set the timer to allow only 30 seconds for a T/F or MC quiz question, there is not time to look them up. There are ways around it. It's a learning process.
Thanks!
I'm fairly new to online teaching as well but it didn't take long to understand that what you are saying is 100% true. Being concise and consistent is key. I'm still learning how to get to that correct amount of material but getting better at it with each class. :)
I have been teaching a semi-online class for 12 weeks for the first time. I am a bit hesitant to say i agree with online teaching. I feel there is definitely too many ways to cheat and get around doing the majority of the work. I have the over-achievers students it seems and the ones that hold back and wait to read what they wrote to figure out how to answer discussion questions. I have heard them talk about how they open screens in 2 different windows and take the quiz. I guess as long as you pay for the class that's all that matters anymore..
Paula and Neer,
Seems you two are on the same wavelength. Student-centered assignments/projects are important and we have to "stay on top" of them to make sure they are successful. Thanks!
Hi Neer,
I couldn't agree more. This is my first year teaching online. Prior to that, I taught middle, high school, college and grad level and instructors were always reminded to create a more student centered atmosphere within the classroom through lectures and assignments. Teaching online has made me realize how absolutely important this skill is!
Paula Bordenkecher
Geoffrey,
Glad you find the course helpful. It's always good to have some reminders. It's important to think critically about what you are teaching, how you are teaching and the achievements of the students. It's a constant revision cycle that we find ourselves in, but that should be true in any learning environment. Thanks!
Hi Gang...
I've been teaching on ground and online for 10+ years too. I find that this course is a good reminder in learning principle as well. That is, in order for the content of what we teach to be best remembered, it's critical that the structure and process in which we do this is well thought out.
I find that this course is helping me consider how to reinforce what I teach, the timing of what I teach, and how it relates to helping students master the content more easily, more completely, and more effectively.
So far so good. I like it and appreciate what we are covering.
Thanks Tena! (course facilitator in 2013).
Geoff Hacker, Ph.D.
Tampa, Florida
Margaret,
You are so right. The structure is important so that students can find the necessary important and communicate effectively. Thanks for your input.
I have been teaching online and hybrid classes as an adjunct for two years and now full time for three years, at a Career College. I have discovered that the structure and framework of the course is very important.
There is a pacing the student gets used to, and expects if the content is delivered properly. The student understands the format and it is part of the total learning experience.
Maintaining that consistency will help with the online results!
Neer,
You have learned a lot in this past year. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.
Keep on learning.
