Gene ,
Well stated. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In my online courses I post several "bite sized" messages and this allows the student to return to the home page and easily find the topic they are unsure of. If I put the messages into one large post it is less likely they will read it. I also utilize clip art or color to draw their attention to the messages on topics such as attendance, office time, expectations for writing assignments, discussion requirements and any other "graded" areas that should provide clarity to the student.
I also create a Live Chat for the student to listen to me explaining how to maneuver the classroom just in case they aren't sure after the orientation.
Adding value is just as important in education as it is in the marketplace. Expectations help the students immensely when correlated with the outcomes: this adds value.
Gene Parker
francis,
Letting the student know the teacher is there to assist is an important role.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think the faculty should detail the expectatiosn and let the students know that the instructor is there to help them meet those expectations. I always let my students know I want them to succed and I will do all I can to help them reach their objectives.
I think the important elements for a good faculty expectation statement should include:
1.Provide reminder that the instructor is there to help with not only learning but to answer any questions.
2. That online learning is great thing and a great way to learn and advance.
3. Be timily with assignments and do not get behind. If one does, contact the instructore--soon than later!
4. Provide instructor background and experience so student has an understanding that the instructor is quatlified./
Debra,
Your expressed perspective is right on target. The additional 'elements' to which I could best direct you would be the contributions of educators throughout this particular forum thread. Some of theses ideas (from across the country) are very good and open up new ways to help students succeed. Thank you for your contribution to this discussion.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Course expectations statements should give students all of the basic information they need to maximize their opportunities for success in the course. Information should include how to contact your instructor, when chats are held and whether or not they are mandatory in either live or archived form, whether late work is accepted and what penalties pertain to loss of points for late assignments, the grading scale and what 'categories' will be used in scoring (e.g., demonstration of critical thinking about the topics, quality of writing, use of references), guidelines about netiquette, whether there is a group project and any policies related to its completion, the importance of academic integrity, use of course and outside materials, etc. None of these things should be a mystery at which students must guess and should be available to students as soon as they are granted access to the online environment for the course.
I may have forgotten some things. Are there other elements you typically include in a statement of course expectations?
Faculty expectations statement is imperative and it needs to be clear, concise, succinct and well articulated thus avoiding any possible misunderstanding on either part -instructor and student. The important elements of FE statement should be what the instructor expects the students to do regarding the assignments int eh course, the timeliness of the assignments, instructions, directions and guidance from the instructor and adherence to university policies.
Kelly,
Very sound procedure. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Important elements of the expectations statement I include are the due dates of the assignments, the grading rubrics, late policy, and the instructor contact information. I ask each student to post on the discussion board "I have read and understand the expectations of the class".
Some of the elements the instructor should place in an expectations statement, in addition to any that might required by the Institution you are teaching for are: (1)the late turn in of work policy, (2) plagiarism, (3)expectations for student attendance, expectations of instructor attendance. Additionally, the instructor should explain how their assignments are going to be graded, preferably via the use of a grading rubric and where that rubric can be found. Feedback on why a student lost points critical. They need to know what they missed and why. On the administrative side, how often the instructor is expected to be in the class, the time "delay" allowed for responses to emails and phone calls, how many days are allowed between an assignment due date and when the grades should be available to the students.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what other things should be in an expectation statement?
Byron ,
Yes, alleviating this anxiety when to expect instructor responses is a major boost for many onlines students. They need the security of definite things they can count on. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
kevin,
This is very true for so many of our online students in today's career colleges.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
What do you feel are important elements of a faculty expectations statement that can help set the appropriate expectations for learners in your online course?
I feel that faculty expectations are essential to the success of an online learner. If you are able to establish your response times to email, grades and communication will be within 24 to 48 hours for an example you can cut down on anxiety from the online learner.
Also reminding the class of the expectations during the course as been helpful
My experience has been the school povides a list.
I have found that to be very helpful also. Sometimes I refer to earlier announcements
To make sure that they understand you are concerned about thier learning. This would include the ways for them to get a hold of you when needed. The ability to get help when needed is important
Hi Terry,
Good input. I also agree that everyone is interested in value. The student, their employers, and all parties in the university want to deliver value.
When students (our customers) are satisfied with the fact they are getting value from our proedures and our product (their education)then all parties benefit from the point you make that the student feels they have some control over the course.
Best,
Hal Graff
