Online Teaching Techniques
What technique are required to be a successful online instructor?
Hi Deborah, I also think they need to bring relevant real world experience to demonstrate the application of the class materials. Tina
I believe that one of the most important aspects of teaching involves providing a positive supportive environment for students to learn. Instructors must answer email within 24 hours or less, or to the students, it is like talking to an empty room. I use that same scenario with my students and the discussion board. I believe it also is more personal to use the student's name when replying.
I agree. I think taking an online class allows a student to be flexible in their learning. We as instructors also need to be flexible -- and that may mean phone calls all hours. It also means answering an email in a timely manner.
I agree that many students simply do not have the knowledge needed for learning in an online environment. For the most part, the school I teach for does a good job walking students through the system and supporting them so they're ready for the first week. When they come to me, they have had an orientation on forums, etc. But the student still has the accountability to spend time learning the system.
I've been teaching online for the past 10 years and I've strived to avoid making exceptions when it comes to late work. The reason being is that I want the student to learn they must be held to the same standard as the rest of the class. It would be unfair to accept a late assignment without deducting points. I state that I will accept late work due to any emergency situation but there is a % off per day. The student who completes work on time has earned the possibility of full points.
Hi Victoria,
I'm going to try some of your advice in my online class about sending them links to outside resources because when I pose follow-up questions very few respond. I think it's because once they feel they have met the minimum requirement they are done.
I find it more of a challenge to engage students online just because of the impersonal nature of this format. I think also I'm going to post video messages of myself using Jing (which someone else suggested) to help bring some of my personality to the classroom.
Calling and emailing students is a key part to being a successful online instructor. I have found that just picking up the phone and calling all my students to ask how things are going has a very positive impact on my students.
I find letting the students know you are still there for them to call or email is a requirment for a sucessful online instructor.
Thanks for your thorough response Joanne. It suprises me as well when students that don't know much about technology sign up for online courses, yet I also try to remind myself that they may not have any other options regarding how to pursue their education.
I think the comments above all make good points. I teach an introductory on line course and it amazes me how many computer illiterate people choose to get an online degree. This said, what I need to do to be successful is reach out to those needing additional help, while not slowing the class down too much and bore those who are very familiar with computers. I also have to be flexible to allow assignments to be handed in late, but not too late. Those getting an online degree are usually doing so because of their schedule, commitments to family,etc. I warn them not to get too far behind, but a day or 2 late is acceptable. More than that, a late penalty is applied. And most importantly, I think it was mentioned earlier, I have to make the time I have with the students in the online class as interesting as possible. Excellent oral communication skills are required - to give a lively, up beat "lecture." Too many umms, too slow speech, derail the message - but when you're talking to "space," it can be tough.
Marni
I agree completely with your comments.
I would add that I have had many students who do not believe that things such as grammar, sentence structure, and spelling are important other than in an English course. I teach business courses and have always graded with respect to correct as well as effective communication. My students often complain that I am tougher on grammar than their English professors were. I tell them that their English professors were teaching the language, but I am teahing them to work for bosses.
Though I keep working, I have a difficult time convincing students of the importance of effective and correct communication. One day I'll find the magic formula.
I would add that I do workshops for working professionals who also don't believe that being "correct" is important.
Butch
Hi Nancy. I am curious, in an online class, how do you have an open door policy?
Thank you for your comment; I greatly appreciate it. I always communicate with my students in a positive, encouraging, and supportive method. I always try to encourage them and create a sense of they can complete the online course and earn the degree they are working so hard on. I have an open door policy with my students so they can get the support they need any time they need it. I feel being available regularly helps with their confidence and success in the course.
You bring up some great points Kristy. Communication is very important--regardless of the type of delivery. Engaging and motivating students is critical to the success of the student. The instructor that can engage the student is usually a successful instructor.
Thanks for your comments Kristy.
Communication is very important, whether it be by written or verbal. An online course has to be very informative and clear for the students to understand. The instructor has to be a motivator and a guide. Feedback is also important. A face-to-face instructor would not set in a classroom and let the students discuss a topic the whole class time with joining in and giving input. An online instructor needs to do the same thing; they need to be engage in the students work. Online courses can be very convenient for an instructor and student but deadlines have to be set and followed. I have had the opportunity to take and teach online course.
Very nicely stated Nancy. Do you have any specific techniques that you use to create the positive, supportive environment that you describe?
I agree with you Marni! Written communication is critical to the online instructor but it is also a critical skill for our students to learn. That is one of the advantages of online learning--it reinforces the written skills of our students.
Thanks for your comments.
I believe that one of the most important aspects of teaching involves providing a positive supportive environment for students to learn and making certain through any and all resources available to instructors that all of your students have a strong grasp of the material. The student’s success in a class is influenced by the support and guidance of the instructor as well as making certain that the communication is always open for the students to ask questions in order to understand the objectives of an assignment. Communication creates a connection of trust, respect, and cooperation between instructor and students. I feel this is imperative for establishing a productive and informative learning environment.
Because online instruction doesn't have much (or any) direct, fact-to-face contact with students, a large component of communication is missing. So, because we mostly rely on the written word to communicate with students, it is CRITICAL for instructors to have a better-than-average grasp on language usage. We need to convey our messages to students so that when they read them, they do not doubt our meaning. For example, we might need to critique a student, pointing out an area in need of improvement. Depending upon the choice of words, we can come across as condescending or encouraging.
I have seen a lot of instructors with a poor grasp of language. They don't write messages to the best of their abilities. Not only is this unprofessional, it also does not set a good example to students. Additionally, if an instructor can't spell, how can they expect to be able to help students spell?
I'm an English/communications instructor, so I notice these kinds of things probably more than most. :-)
Those are great tips to get the students engage in the discussion thread. Thanks Victoria!
