Michele,
Knowing your audience in any situation is essential to effectively deliver your message. Your audience is your students. The better you know their strengths, abilities, and weaknesses, the better you can provide content in a variety of ways. Nice job!
In my online course, three things that I consider important are:
1. The student's ability to naivigate through the online classroom.
2. Making sure that I am approachable and available to my students.
3. Having a sound syllabus that easily accessible proviodes assistance in accessing essential information
Three things I consider is expectations. The student need to know the instructor's expections to help relieve some anxiety. Next is the student's ability levels. There are usually mixed abilities and some students need to move at a slower pass while others want to work ahead. Lastly is time. Many student are not ready for the time commitment online classes need to be successful.
Dr. Vicki,
You're right. We have had some good feedback in this forum. But, thanks for continuing the conversation. We learn so much from each other. Your "golden rule," communication and continual feedback information are essential. Thanks for your input.
Hi Dr. C: In looking at the responses that have already been submitted, all the good ones have been mentioned! Teaching online is different than teaching on-ground because there is no f2f. As such, our words carry all the weight. I suppose that's why I keep coming back to: 1) treating others as I want to be treated. There's no harm in being nice. That doesn't mean to lower the standards or expectations but to be aware that people have feelings too and sometimes what we say in our feedback or in an email can be misconstrued--even if unintentional. And that brings me to number 2) Communication is key--being specific and clear with our expectations. Making sure our writing is error-free and concise. And 3) Staying "in touch"--I don't mean physically (of course) but in all other ways. Participating in the discussion boards, keeping our office hours, responding rightaway to emails, IMs, and phone calls. There are of course, any number of other things to consider--like the learning! But that's a given because that's why people are taking our courses!
Richard,
Consistency and meaningful feedback is essential to help students improve.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Communication module consistincy feedback
Ken,
Faith,
You have a great list of three things. When students understand the expectations in the course and there is effective communication, the learning outcomes can be achieved. Thanks for your input.
Faith,
You have a great list of three things. When students understand the expectations in the course and there is effective communication, the learning outcomes can be achieved. Thanks for your input.
When teaching my online course, I believe the three most important things to consider are:
1. Clearly communicate the class objectives and my expectations and standards.
2. Proved frequent, timely, and comprehensive feedback to my students.
3. Provide as much additional information as needed and possible to help the students master the course information.
The three things I believe that are most important to consider when teaching my online courses are:
1. Clarity in directions and grading
2. Utilizing different technology to address the different learning styles of students
3. Communication and being “present†every day to answer emails or questions and facilitating discussions.
Dr. Kevin,
Thanks for your input. You are right when you say there are so many things to consider. The three you listed, however, are very important. Communicating those course expectations and making sure students understand is key. These can be communicated through the syllabus and student can ask each other and the instructor for clarification within the community. Thanks again.
Cynthia,
The important thing to remember about rubrics is that they help both the students and the instructor. This also helps with communicating those expectations. Thanks for your input.
When teaching an online course, there are a number of things to consider. I would say that three of them are:
(1) Are the course expectations clear – students need to know everything that is expected of them so that they can plan to meet the obligations of a course.
(2) Is the syllabus dynamic – in addition to the syllabus being dynamic, all links and resources need to be up-to-date and working.
(3) Online community – students need to be provided with opportunities to connect with the instructor and others in order to feel as though they are part of a community. Discussion assignments and group projects help with this.
My late submission expectations
My grading expectations (rubric)
Open communication
Pierre,
These are excellent suggestions. You are right on target with your comments. Thanks for your input.
Online course teaching requires good organization skills, detailed instructions, efficient delivery, clear definition of the work expected, active learning sensitivity, constant knowledge verification, additional educator assistance and extended communication available.
Antonio,
Right on! When everyone understands the expectations and learning outcomes and know how to achieve the course goals, they are more likely to be successful in the class. Providing content to students in a variety of ways and varying assignments/projects, helps address all learning styles. I like that you provide specific instructions as well. Many students need such detail. Thanks for your input.
I believe that these three items are important.
1. Be clear about the assignments and what is expected. A single page essay needs to be more specific. I have students that will give you a full page, non double spaced and there are others that will double space in order to write less. Word counts alleviates this issue.
2. Emails need to be answered quickly and clearly.
3. Consider your audience's learning styles.
When teaching my online courses, the three most important things to consider are:
1. Who the students are and what their learning styles are
2. My own comfort level with the material and making sure I present the material to fit all learning styles and that my overall group and individual communication is constant and effective
3. My ability to manage the online classroom and maintain a presence in the online classroom with all students.
