I feel that communication is the most important part of the online teaching environment. Communicating with the students via the traditional e-mail transport is no longer adequate to meet the students’ needs. Live Chats and IM provide a synchronous transport for the face to face element of today’s online platforms. Archived recordings, discussion boards, blogs as well as other forums provide asynchronous communications for the students to work outside traditional hours.
Providing the dynamic syllabus permits the class to evolve to meet the needs of the students and or the changes in the material being presented. Every class will contain students with different needs and the dynamic syllabus permits the modifications necessary to provide for an effective course. Sampling the students’ success on the individual assignments along with communication with the students and peers will permit the syllabus to be altered in a manner that allows scaffolding to occur.
Scaffolding the students understanding of the material is the ultimate goal of the effective course. Utilizing the students’ personal experiences and understanding to build upon allows a buy in to the value of the course. I find getting the students to share their perspectives and experiences creates a dynamic and rewarding session. Students’ are able to place instant value to the material being presented and their unique perspectives bring increased knowledge to the instructor.
The three elements listed above need to be used in conjunction to create the effective classrooms expected in today’s online environment. The dynamic aspects of the syllabus keeps the material from becoming stale and keeps the instructor actively involved in guiding the students through courses the instructor is invested in. I realize not all students can be targeted in this approach but those who are actively participating can benefit greatly with this structure and methodology and is more rewarding to the instructor.
George,
Thanks for you input. It seems that you are taking the ball and running wide open in your online classroom. Your syllabus is the first point of communication and it provides students will a place to go to make sure they are on track and meeting learning outcomes.
Using a variety of communication tools such as discussion boards, chats, wikis, blogs, etc. is important. Therefore, students can learn in a variety of ways. If you can add video and/or two-way video so students can see you and you can see them, it brings a whole new dimension to learning.
Nice job.
Students must be clear on the rules of engagement and the syllabus is the tool for that. In online courses the dynamic approach is so obviously the best that I am embarrassed that I have not taken more advantage of it. As I mentioned clear objectives in authoring a course, teaching involves not only instructor to student communication, but the reverse as well and then student to student. I think that open communications are important as well as forums where that rings true, Currently, I use discussion boards, chats and instant messaging (more for one-on-one) but will use blogs and wikis as I determine their utility and advantages in future courses/sessions. I see lot of utility in their use for student expression and contribution. Finally, instruction is more relevant to students if they can use it. Ideas and philosophies are good, but tools are important and give the course value to the student in their jobs or even future educational endeavors. Even keeping effective communications to the fore in courses provides at least one important tool to students.
Linda,
Thanks for your organized thoughts. You are right on track. The students must know what is expected of them, they must feel secure, and must be communicated to in a clear way.
I love the where, how, what who and when approach.
Nice job.
1. Clearly defined expectations, course information, assessment/grading policy, etc... through the use of a dynamic syllabus.
2. Establishing a secure online environment/community in which all students feel welcome and that they belong to a class and are not just an individual taking a class online.
3. Using effective communication by providing detailed directions on how to communicate in the course. Clear and precise directions need to be provided to students depending on the assignment to answer the following questions: where, how, what, who, and when.
Bill,
These ideas tie nicely to your previous forum posting. Course structure is essential to the learning process. Communication that is timely and meaningful is also key to helping students improve. Using student feedback can help guide you in improving the course as well.
Great job.
The three most important things to consider when teaching an online course are: (1) having knowledge of the course structure and content, (2) effectively communicating with the students, and (3) using a continuous improvement process. A subject matter expert must be able communicate in a way that promotes learning, and must be willing to modify the course structure, content, delivery method when needed. Instruction only provides information, while a teaching allows for an exchange of ideas. In an online environment, where direct contact is limited, it is increasingly important for a student to be part of the learning community.
- Bill Lembke
George,
Again, nice job. You are thinking about the variety of students you may be teaching. They come to the online classroom (or any classroom) with different experiences, learning abilities, needs, interests, etc. As you have noted, diversity is more than gender and race.
Being that goal driven person, you can help your students excel and move forward no matter where they are "coming from." Nice job.
Thanks.
I try to help all students and allow them to gain cultural background of one another. Many of the students attending need to learn to work in an environment that provides for diversity since the real world will as well. I was also able to see the different values, customs, and attitudes that each personality has. Diversity, cultures and values can clash at times and I noticed people treated differently, and indifferences, prejudices and many other important factors come out throughout the program. I learned a lot in dealing with different cultures, personalities, and a diverse array of trainees. I was able to bring all of these trainees together at times and resolve conflicts when necessary. I am very goal driven and committed to helping others and learning form new experiences. I feel by showing or explaining how we adapt and work with others, it sets a good example for students.
Darcy,
Thanks for your input. You are right on target with your comments. Your presence online influences everything else you have discussed. Your presence influences communication as well.
Thanks again.
I just had a question in reference to the idea of "dynamic syllabus" - In your post, you indicate that this might mean adjusting expectations as the course moves forward. I understood it, in the readings, to mean that the syllabus expands as the modules move along. Is it both of these?
Darcy
In my experience, any class I teach is a section of a uniform course created by the college, so I don't influence this. However, within this construct, there are definitely many, many ways to be an extremely effective or an extremely poor instructor.
When teaching my online courses, my three most important considerations include:
1. Empathy and humanity. It's too easy in the online environment to subconsciously dehumanize our students because we never see them and because they can become a quota of "parts" to build much as in a factory. I make a real effort to connect personally with all of my students, and to approach their work, their questions, and their concerns as I would like mine to be approaches.
2. Consistency. In the online classroom, rules are important, and consistency in enforcing those rules is as well. In addition, consistence in instructor presence (discussions, announcements) makes students feel much more comfortable and (as is the focus of this class) makes the modules feel uniform and comfortable.
3. Presence, presence, presence. A school may require an instructor to post in the discussion board 3 times per week, or to post one announcement per week, but how would I feel if I were in a class in which the instructor met this bare minimum? I'd feel like my instructor were not present in a real sense.
Darcy Schultz
Dalene,
I love your wording about the syllabus: "robust and specific." That is a great way to explain it. The syllabus must have complete information and be specific when explaining assignments, tests, project, learning outcomes, etc.
Knowing you students AND know what they already know (diagnostic testing) is valuable as you develop the course as well.
Nice job!
When teaching an online course, you must consider from the beginning -
Who are your students and how many do you have in your class?
How robust and specific is your syllabus?
Do your discussion questions, assignments and assessments deliver appropriate competencies for the course?
I believe that being available to your students is a very important component of teaching online. Students will benefit from receiving one on one, individual attention even though there is no traditional classroom or instructor.
I also feel that students need a clear and dynamic syllabus. This is a template of their journey. They need to understand the objectives of the courses.
Finally... I believe in building a team-oriented virtual classroom where the students can easily and respectfully interact with each other and learn from each others questions, experiences, and participation.
Kim & Jennifer,
Change is the only thing constant in life. :-)
Thanks!
When teaching an online course three important things to consider are:
Communication: I think an instructor can set the tone for communication from the very first day of class. For instance, an introductory discussion topic can really open the door for communication in an online class. Likewise, instructors need to touch base with their students frequently through email, discussions, and announcements to keep everyone feeling connected; even though this communication is asynchronous, it’s important.
Feedback to students: Providing feedback is very important in an online environment. Often times courses are set up with auto graded assignments and few manually graded assessments. It’s important for instructors to provide feedback so the student learns from the assignment and knows the instructor reviewed it.
Expectations: I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: clear expectations from the very first day of class are so important! This way students know exactly what is expected of them.
I realize some of these have been brought up already in discussion, but they really are important!
Thanks,
Jennifer
I could not agree more about the importance of setting clear expectations in a course! This is valuable for both the instructor (as a way to organize the course) as well as the student (so they know cleary from the start what is expected of them.) Rubrics are helpful; I believe they should be shared beforehand and not just in the grading process.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Kim,
Thanks for the reminder! Although I sometimes struggle with change, it's bound to happen. Usually the change is for the best so acceptance is key.
Jennifer
Clayton,
Thank you for your organized and complete thoughts about this forum discussion topic. You have developed your own "CVU" system. You can carry this throughout the course in many different ways.
You will communicate, be visible to students, and try to understand where they are coming from.
Students are expected to communicate with you, be visible online in a timely manner and will ask if they don't understand.
Love it. It's your online teaching philosophy in the development stage. Nice job.
