Jeremy,
We do need to tie the objective and the content together. Then, the key, as you said, is keeping the students engaged and getting the students "hooked" on the subject. Thanks for your input.
Cherise,
right on. Understanding your audience and knowing what they need to know + offering content in a variety of ways to "hit" all learning styles is essential. Thanks!
When teaching your own online course, I think the three most important things to consider are the following:
1. What are the course objectives?
2. How are we going to get the information to the student?
3. How do we keep it interesting and engaging?
Who is the student?
What knowledge do I want the student's to gain?
How will I present the information?
Jacqueline,
You have several goals for this on assignment. That's great. You can learn about the students, assess their writing skills, etc. Nice job. Good idea. Thanks!
Michael,
Yes, it's good to balance the readings, technology and discussions to enhance the learning process and get the content across in the best way to the students. Students do need to understand the expectations and how to reach them effectively. Thanks!
As an initiation/ice breaker for the Course, I always get the students to briefly talk about themselves and their work experiences and to make sure that they give some information about where they are academically. This allows me to gauge where the students academically and professionally.
I usually pick up on where are they have strong technical skills. By reviewing 'what' the write, I can also view 'how' they write. I can also find out how well they communicate and whether it could appear that they are going to struggle through communicating in the online community.
This is important initially because it allows me to make adjustments with the syllabus, most to add a few changes to encourage communication or improve communication.
The three items to consider in teaching the online course are:
-Getting the course topic across to the student with the balance of readings, technology, and discussions to aid and assist.
-How to get the topic across to the student in a meaningful manner.
-How to achieve the final outcome of retaining the material by the student.
Mark,
The dynamic syllabus can work together with effective communication. I do love the roadmap analogy and getting the students on the right path.
Thanks for your input.
Three elements I will definitely consider in teaching an online course are:
1) A dynamic syllabus in which students can interact and be led to find answers and directions.
2) Use of a variety of communication tools to accommodate different types of communication. A student communicating with me via email is useful, but groups communicating with other groups in the class will need a different tool (perhaps a blog or wiki) that handles that form of communication better.
3) A Roadmap structure. The "scaffolding" of the course allows the student to see a path forward through the course and know where he/she is going (and why).
It seems that each of these elements is, in some way, related to learning to communicate well online. There are many options, and that seems to be a great advantage!
Maureen ,
The instructor is a key component to all of the things you listed. You are right in that we do not want do dominate, but assist students in the learning process. Thanks for your input.
Audrey,
Good questions. The more we understand our audience, our students, the better we can help them improve and achieve the set goals. Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Hi Tena and Class. I believe the three most important aspects to consider when teaching an online course are:
1. Instructor familiarity with the course content and the technology aspects of the course;
2. Ensure understanding by the students for the expectations of the course - ensure all students are aware of the requirements and deadlines;
3. Make sure there is a great deal of instructor presence in the discussion threads - not to dominate, but certainly to generate when things become stale.
Maureen
Who is your the student?
What you want them to learn or what message are you delivering?
How are they going to learn or how are you going to get that message across?
~ Audrey Thomas
Kenneth,
We do feel like "tour guides" at times helping students through the system. The better tour guides we are, the better the students can achieve set learning outcomes. Nice job. Thanks.
I believe the three most important things to consider when teaching my own online course are: 1) a dynamic syllabus; 2) communication and collaboration; and 3) developing a good strategy to use all available technology.
The syllabus supports communication and expectations among the community of learners. Use of all available channels will support good communication among the senders and receivers. Communication online is essential and feedback from the instructor will play a key role as “the tour guide†along the path of learning. Technology use of all available assets that support the course modules will require development of a strategy that also will have to be evaluated.
Emory,
We have to know our subject and help the students reach the learning outcomes as best we can. Communication is key!
Thanks.
Knowledge of the subject your teaching being one. You have to know what your teaching to the very detail. This will make you confident and ready to give useful knowledge. Second would be interaction and support. Use forums, email and chat to communicate with your students. Let them know that your there for them. Lastly, extra resources. It's not a bad idea to direct your students to sites with more information about the subject. This will help in keeping your students engaged.
Barbara,
Nice list. These are all important and may make others think about new things. Thanks for your input.
Jennifer,
Yes, chinking the information and keeping the lectures short (10-15 minutes) is essential. The ks for your input.
