When teaching an online course the three most important things to consider are:
1) active participation with the students. Being involved in the discussions and answering emails in a timely way.
2) providing formative feedback. Learning online can feel very lonely if there isn't someone who is answering questions and explaining scores.
3)understanding how to use the technology and utilizing it well.
I agree, Kim! I was very dubious of online education before I started. I had taken one online course at a community college that will remain nameless and it was awful! The instructor clearly used materials created by someone else. She only answered my questions if they were about assessment details but never responded to questions about concepts, and many of the links and quizzes were broken or for the wrong course!
However, having become an online teacher myself, I am amazed at how technology can be used to teach in such an interactive and dynamic way and reach a broad audience of students. I find that in a lot of ways I am able to interact in a more meaningful way with my online students than my F2F students. Though there is something nostalgic about physical classrooms, libraries, and all that - teaching using technologies like wiki, ebooks ect is definitely how we will educate in the future!
Hi Tammara,
I agree with what you said about the students being able to follow the syllabus. This course has helped me to understand how the syllabus needs to be a dynamic tool used throughout the class.
Frank Nolan
Hi Nicole,
I agree with what you said about creating a non-hstile classroom communications environment. One of the things that i do each week in the class is to post a particular announcement on the discussion board about the importance of being respectful to other students in all communications.
Frank Nolan
When teaching an online course I believe that the three most important things to consider are stucturing the learning environment so that the scaffolding methodology can be used, having open communication between the instructor and each individual student and having respectful relationships between the students during the class discussions.
Frank Nolan
Tammara,
Ensuring students understand what is expected of them as they strive to achieve the learning outcomes is essential. This helps them move forward, as you noted, and go further. Thanks!
The three most important things to consider are:
1) Course content/Objectives: What is the purpose for the course. What things should the student have learned upon completion of the course
2)Needs of my students: How do they learn. Are they able to follow the course syllabus and content.
3)Successful Completion: How can I chart their progress. Am I able to fairly test their knowledge. Have I equipped them with the tools to go further.
Rubiela,
Expectations must be clear and the learning outcomes must be connected to those expectations. Providing prompt and meaningful feedback to students and vice versa is essential. Thank you for you input.
Eric,
Thanks for contiuing the conversation. Communication is of the utmost important. You are so right. It's the hub of the wheel when it comes to online teaching. You are right on with you comments. Thank you.
Carol,
The course "tweaking procedure" is constant. Getting feedback from students and others to ensure you are on target with what you are teaching and how you are teaching is essential. Thank you for your input.
I think hte most importan thing sto consider then teaching an online course is to provide a clear and detail expectation announcement for the students so they are aware of what is expected and how to get to each goals, clear learning objectives for each module or session of the class, and continuous and prompt feedback from students and professors to make sure class can adjust and maintain an effective communication.
Greetings.
1) Communication. It is important to develop an excellent communications strategy. My strategy is to provide students with 1-timely communication, 2-clear communication, 3-an positive tone when communicating with students.
2) Engaging content. It is important to develop content that will engage learners.
3) User-friendly course. The course must be easy to navigate and understand.
Best, Eric Freeman
Perhaps:
being cognizant of the needs of the students. Maybe it would be better stated to say being "present" because I'm thinking that perhaps in the virtual world there's a risk of the instructor being detached leaving the students feeling like they're in it on their own. In a F2F it would be easier to sense when a student doesn't understand or who is "zoning" out of the course, but in the online course, it seems that it wouldn't be as easy to notice.
Second but probably connected to the first one would be to watch for the discussions being cyclic in nature...people keep saying the same thing in 16 different ways. The instructor's role is perhaps to spark fresh ideas into discussion boards/chats. (In my discipline discussions would be a major part of the course.)
Probably the third thing to consider is where the course may need to be tweaked and make sure it makes the next editing or adjustment before the next course. I think we all strive to have meaninful learning take place in our classrooms, regardless of whether it's F2F or virtual, but the reality is that sometimes there are things we insert into our courses that really don't meet the objectives at all or don't meet them as effectively as another activity might. We get married to the activity and stubbornly hold on to it rather than moving to something else that would be more effective.
Rebecca and Chris,
I agree. Providing feedback should enhance learning. The students should be provided with meaningful feedback to help them learn. Thanks!
Chris, great points. I liked that fourth one. How simple yet how important. We educators need that type of "6th sense" at times to help those who are slowed by the speed bumps.
Another issue in the online learning environment is the issue of communicating with the student about their feedback -- especially what they need to improve upon. Some benefit from more direct, analytic feedback and some appreciate a lighter tone, maybe a lighthearted pun on wording, to get them connected which could build trust with the Instructor. This issue is directly related to communication between Instructor and Student -- the first relationship in the course that affects the student's AND the Instructor's ultimate goal of learning new skills.
Best! Rebecca
Donna,
Right on. When everyone understands the expectations, the learning process is improved. Developing a community of learners and helping all students learn is essential. Thank you for your input.
I believe it is imperative to:
1)Set clear expectations and learning outcomes that are in alignment with the school’s policies and course objectives within a dynamic syllabus. Be willing to make appropriate changes as necessary to improve the course/student outcomes.
2)Create an online “community.†Ensure that it is interactive, supportive and a professional culture.
3)Address students’ individual learning needs, learning styles, multiple intelligences and interests so they can be successful.
David,
It is so important that the students understand the course expectations. As the students understand what is expected of them, they can more easily use the proper technology tools. Thanks for your input.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
While teaching in an on-line environment, the biggest concerns are:
1) Are class (both general and assignment) expectations made clear?
2) Do students know where to start? Students who can’t readily identify “the next step†are very quick to give up.
3) Are students aware of all the tools available to them? We need to make clear what tools students can use to complete the assignments. Do they know where to turn if they need help?
Kimberly,
Navigation, cmunication and a dynamic syllabus are essential. Through all of these, the students can be better Prepared to achieve the learning outcomes and apply their learning to the real world. Thanks for your input.
