Gershom,
You are correct. The follow through on the part of the student may add a challenge to this.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
John,
These are all very good, fundamental components. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Samantha,
Yes, very good. Thanks.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Samantha,
That is a foundational step. Do you have any recommendations for enforcing the expectations once they are clearly delineated for the students? Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Rubiela ,
Very good. This is well founded. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think it is extremely important for the instructor to provide important dates and deadlines in regard to lectures, assignments, etc. In addition, the instructor should explain the late work policy, policy on plagiarism, and expectations for attendance. It is also important to explain how their assignments are going to be graded, i.e. a grading rubric so that the students know exactly what is required for them to be successful. The rubric should also include feedback to help reinforce positive behavior, while still pointing out areas that need improvement. Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning. I believe these elements can help set the appropriate expectations for learners in my online course.
Faculty Expectations should include several components. The first is an introduction of the instructor. It is important to describe the qualifications of the instructor and background.
The next section should introduce the course and give timelines and and due dates. The students should be provided a way to contact the instructor through multiple methods.
A late work policy should be included to provide the students with clear guidelines.Resources such as library information should be added.
The discussion requirements should be added. Grading scale and information should be part of the effort.
A discussion of the requirements for the papers should be clear with a rubric for how papers should be graded.
Tech information should be added for tech questions and the expectations should end on a positive note and motivate students to succeed.
I have to make sure students know from the start of the course that they need to be active participants on a consistent basis throughout the duration of the course. They must know that assignments have deadlines and they are expected to complete them on time. I need to remind students they are expected to follow all instructions on assignments in the course.
Students also need to know that I will be supporting them as much as I can. I tell my students I will be responding to emails every day. They can expect me to be visible in the online classroom daily. And they need to know that they can always ask me questions.
Carol
I think we are all guilty of this. I think that as faculty we are so use to teaching certain courses that we may get complacent. It is always good to constantly send reminders to students about policies. Thanks for your post!
Samantha
I think that it is very important that all students understand thoroughly what each professor/instructor expects. I think that students need to understand that I expect them to be committed to their education and serious about their enrollment in my course.
I think that the Faculty Expectation is a way that I used to include all details of projects, office hours, formating of work and other details for the class to start. Prior to class opening my first two announcements are the Welcome letter and the Expectation Announcement. My expectations announcement include the following sections and elaborated detail of each section as follows: instruction and school contact information, computer- internet and virtual tools, course overview and materials, interactive learning or chat information and schedule, discussion board details required, individual projects details required, research sources, how to upload or submit each assignment, sources and citations requirements, deadlines and late penalty policy, incomplete policy, assignments grading, rubrics, code of conduct, and academic honesty policy among others. The more detail de expectation announcement from the beginnign the better for the instructor and student.
Andrew,
This is a very comprehensive and well directed list. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I always have what Sandy had but I added a few more:
I typically follow the outline below:
1. Welcome
2. Contact Information
3. Communication channels
4. Computer and Internet Issues
5. Time Management
6. Virtual Tools
7. Course Overview
8. Course Materials - Syllabus, Assignemnt List, Multi-media, Text/e-book
9. Interactive Learning - Chats, Office Hours
10. Research and Citation
11. Discussion Boards
12. Assignment Deadlines and Late Submission Policy
13. Grading Rubric
14. Grammar and spelling
15. Deliverable Length
Tina,
Yes, there are many instructors who have identified the appreciations students conveyed when the instructor confirms specific availability expectations on which the student may rely. Very good points. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Besides the obvious laundry list of expectations, I think learners should know that you are available and interested. During the first discussion forum, I try to make sure each student feels this availability and interest. Another thing that learners seem to appreciate is a list of outside resources that may help them throughout the course.
Austin,
Very good. This seems to provide a solid, comprhensive foundation for any postsecondary class.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I use the faculty expectation statement to outline office hour, chat session hours, grading rubrics, late assignment policies, incomplete grade policies, Netiquette, contact information, group assignment guideline and plagiarism implication.
Austin Umezurike
Sarah,
Yes, lead by example. Modeling the behavior you expect from the students is one of the best teaching methods. Excellent post.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think that instructors should be held to the same expectations as the students. If we expect them to post assignments on time, we should post grades on time, too. If we expect them to participate on a discussion board, we should do the same. Modeling learning behaviors is critical to show the students that we are just as serious about their education (sometimes, more so) as they are.
Irene,
Very true. Expectations can (and should) work both ways, especially in adult education. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
