Beth,
Your comments here relate back to your previous posting. This is good because you can see the overlap in authoring and teaching a course. Communcation is a key element in teaching period, but specifically when teaching online.
Your point about a secure online environment makes the communication more frequent and honest.
Thanks for your input.
1. Creating a secure online enviroment for all involve. Making student feel wecome and knowledgable in the fact that the information they are submitting is only for the classs and not open Internet.
2. Structured communication- setting expectation for student and guiding them to success.
3.Clear expectations
Lindy,
Thanks for your input. All of your topics deal with communication which is the KEY element in teaching online. Nice job!
1. Students are very clear on what is expected of them. They need a specific guideline.
2. Students also need to know how to complete these expectations. If they have no confidence then they will give up due to confusion and frustration.
3. Communication. Most people in general need to have their questions answered within a quick time frame. So instructor communication has to be there. Instructors have to be involved so students feel they can communicate with their instructor even though it is through the computer.
The three most important things to consider when developing the course are, who the target audience is, what is the best strategy for delivering the material, and the methods for delivering the material.
Juliette,
Communication is definitely the key. You do that through the syllabus as well as the different technologies you mentioned. I love that you adapt your style to teh students' needs. So many time we fall into the routine of teaching how we learn and that many times is not how the students learn.
Nice job.
I think the 3 most important things are:
1. Communication - ensuring that students are comfortable with communicating with the instructor and each other, that they have the means to do it, and that they understand the various technologies (e.g. wikis, blogs, etc)
2. Clearly defining the expectations for the class via the syllabus, course objectives, outline.
3. That I as the instructor keep up with the needs/demands/expectations of the student. I have to adapt my style, the class, to the students's needs.
Daryl,
Thanks for you input. You were concise in your response, yet provided valuable information. Developing the syllabus to provide students with course expectations is essential. This leads to the dynamic syllabus and dynamic learning environment.
The communication/feedback you describe also leads to continued discussion and a dynamic learning environment as well.
Nice job.
1st Important Thing - Clear and consise course expectations to the students. This can be done through a dynamic syllabus.
2nd Important Thing - Seeking and encouraging student feedback through the proper use of discussion boards, emails, frequently ask questions area and clear / through grading comments on assignment.
3rd Important Thing - Having a dynamic learning environment where appropriate changes and guidance can be made to encourage and enhance the learning process.
The three most important things that I would consider if I were teaching an on-line class are:
1)Effective syllabus - make sure that it cotains clear expectations and sufficient details for all graded components.
2) Expectations for communication. I like the suggestion for including a sample of an acceptable communication.
3) A dynamic set-up and organization. Students should be able to access each component of the course with navigational ease.
Donald,
Thanks for your input. You are clear and succinct on the important topics. Nice job.
Instructor and course organization
Effective and multiple forms of communication
Clearly defined objectives, syllabus, and assignments/projects
Mark,
As you know there are many important consideratinos for teaching online. You have hit on three of them.
I believe communication is key. Developing that syllabus to effectively communicate the expectations, grading scale, what learning management system will be use, what books they neeed, etc. are just a few things in the syllabus. Communicate, communicate, communicate. Yes!
As you pointed out, it's not only important to use the technology correctly, but effectively. And, it's important to use the correct technology.
Thank you.
I believe that when teaching an online course the three most important things to consider are:
1. Setting clear and specific expectations in the beginning.
2. Communicating effectively to the class and the individual students in a timely manner.
3. Using technology correctly and effectively
Edward,
Thanks for you input. The syllabus is one of your key forms of communication. Providing anything you do in a variety of ways is helpful in the communciation process as well. All of this leads to the dynamic syllabus as things change and the students provide feedback.
Nice job.
Brian,
Thanks for your input. You are exactly right on the dynamic syllabus. This is one of the major and most important communication tools you have. My online course syllabi tend to be much longer than the syllabi for traditional in-class courses I have taught.
Keep up the good work.
1. The syallabus - clearly outlining objectives
2. Multiple forms of communication and using the correct form to reach the appropriate desired result.
3. Dynamic syllabus - constantly updating, clarifying, adding to based on prompts from students and results being received.
Hi Dr. Crews and fellow classmates.
When teaching an online class, I believe that the syllabus is one of the most important things. It should be dymanic as we have learned.
Another important thing is communication. Verious forms of communication should be used. It is also important to use the correct form. For example, when communicating individually, we have learned that email is the best medium.
Finally, scaffolding should be used. It will help students to build on their own knowledge and experience.
Regards,
Brian Smiegel
Chris,
You are absolutely correct. In the last class I taught online, I used the Blackboard Discussion Boart, Twitter, and Facebook and it was interesting to see which students used which method. It did create more work for me as an instructor, but it provided essential outlets for students.
Thanks for you input.
Danita,
Thank you for your well-thought out response. You provide much information to enhance the discussion. I love that you are clear on using rubrics to help communicate epectations and be consistent in your evaluation. An authentic classroom is essential for adult learning.
Excellent! Thank you.
