Ted,
Exposing learners to the required grading criteria should set them up for success. I find that I have to remind my learners several times to review the rubrics. Do you create your own grading criteria or are they provided by your institution?
Jay Familant
It is important for online faculty to convey a set of expectations to their learners. This helps establish order and maintain consistency throughout the course.
One of the elements should focus on the quality and quantity of participation in the discussion threads. I would require my learners to include their personal experience, add outside knowledge, and ask follow up questions to their peers. Learners should be expected to respond to their peers.
Another critical element would require students to produce their own original work. Academic integrity should be taken seriously and there should be zero tolerance for plagiarism.
I would also emphasize the importance for learners to communicate with their peers as well as the instructor. When problems occur, the faculty member should be informed immediately rather than be told shortly after the course ends.
How many students should a learner respond to in a given discussion thread? What is a reasonable requirement?
Jay Familant
"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 think of the expectations statement as my interpretation of the general road map that is provided by a common (to all instructors) syllabus.
I start with an introduction to the course, including a "why motivation" following Sinek as an attempt to inspire the student to take an active role in the course material (Sinek 2010). This usually includes a few examples of how understanding course principles can have a significant impact in the student's life. I let them know that they can contact me any time and that I will always respond within 24 hours or less and invite them to attend weekly live chat sessions.
The body of my expectations statement includes two main parts: Course Policies and Resources.
The course policy section covers include a brief description of the different assignments, including when where and how to submit them, and late policy. I let them know when they can expect to receive feedback, where to look for it, and how to incorporate it into future assignments. I also reiterate the the student code of conduct.
In the resources section I list (and provide links if relevant) to any resources available to help the learner master the material including: tutoring, APA style guide, library resources, grading rubrics, helpful websites and an second invitation to contact me via email or phone any time.
Sinek S. 2009. (2010, May). How great leaders inspire action. Ted: Ideas worth sharing. Retrieved Sept 23, 2012, from http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html
Alan, yes we have been working for AIU now for some time, myself 12 years now I believe and cutting off any issues at the start is critical. After getting many of the same questions on assignments I started storing them to ensure I could put them together, choose the best course of action and then provide insight to removing barriers on those assignments.
Gershom, well the dates and deadline are indeed laid out in the Assignment List and the Instructor Expectations however yes I guess we can in our own assignment expectations every week ensure that we provide the actual date due. They should then also understand the late policy as well.
Matt, I do believe we should share more on what content should be in those areas right? How many times have we seen students come forward and state they have seen differing expectations. We can certainly impose differing late penalities however its critical in my opinion to state really how we are assessing the assignments and coming up with our grades, as they get frustrated easy when they get 99% in other classes and then a 88% in my class for example for various assessment reasons.
David, I would certainly post some of the following information to ensure the student understands the expectations of the course and the instructor: my POC information, why instructor-learner participation is valued at AIU; the use of the online classroom; statements about Computer and Internet issues, for example: "Online learning offers flexibility. To ensure that you remain on top of your studies, make sure that you always have a back-up plan. Do not let Internet issues or computer mishaps affect your progress. Some suggestions for success: x, y, z...; we must then provide the Course OVerview, Course Materials statement, how to properly cite materials, expectations for Interactive learning in the chat room; expectations to submit to the Discussion Board, and related posting policies; guidelines for group projects; organization and time management, effective communications; rules for submission of personal assignments; info on assignment deadlines and late penalities, extensions, incompletes, and your Grading Criteria. Any grading rubrics should be submitted here. The Student Code of Conduct, Originality, and finally the Academic Honesty Policy.
What I have found to be effective for on line students is keeping a positive attitude and sharing that I understand what they are going through. I provide motivational quotes on the announcement board to assist them in not giving up, but trying to encourage them to hang in there. I constantly remind them of their graduation!
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?
Personally I feel that it is important for faculty members to show confidence and relaxation to students. We must let students that we are not afraid and we have the knowledge to deliver. We must also know and show our own belief about our effectiveness. We must bring and demonstrate excitement and energy to the class. Brophy (1986) advises teachers to "routinely project attitudes, beliefs, expectations, and attributions...that imply that your students share your own enthusiasm for learning. To the extent that you treat your students as if they already are eager learners, they will be more likely to become eager learners." In summary, our knowledge, confidence, preparedness, enthusiasm to name a few are important elements that can be set the appropriate expectations for learners in online setting.
Alan, I had the same concern the facilitator had in reference to whether or not students actually review the announcements. Do you normally receive feedback or comments from your announcements? Also, I particular like how you quoted the gold standard for grading. The gold standard for grading is Bloom's Taxonomy. It has levels of learning from memorization (F, or D grade), to understanding of the material in a narrow context (C grade), to the ability to apply the material to a broader context (B), to the ability to apply the material to a new context (A), When you internalize the material and then put more of your unique spin on it, and less in the way of direct quotes, then I have a higher confidence that you have gone beyond the memorization or parroting phase of Bloom's Taxonomy. Thanks for sharing and have you found this to be helpful to students and how?
Hi Bob,
Glad to chat with an alum. Your process seems very thorough and comprhensive. Excellent summation. Thank you for sharing your expertise. David, ITDE '04
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Dr. Vaillancourt,
I ask my students to access the virtual campus (VC)every other day during the week to read email and announcements. I have seen many students who access the VC only on weekends when completing assignments. Our school has recently upgraded its policy requiring students to be more active on the DB. Fortunately, that policy has made more students access the VC in mid-week as well as the week-end. I hold my live chats early in the week--Mondays and Tuesdays--to allow students the most time to complete assignments with all the information I provide. I upload Power Point and Word lecture files and post assignment-specific announcements for every module in the course and use this information during the chats. Each Friday, I send email to each student reminding them of the announcements and lecture files to review for each assignment.
I see we are both Nova alumni. Go Sharks.
Bob, DBA '02
Amanda,
I agree, announcements need to be left open. Some may expire, e.g., an issue available only at a certain date, but knowing they existed may be helpful to the student. I also send personal email to all students reiterating the most important announcements and discuss each in the live chats.
Bob
Sandy,
I use a similar outline for my course expectations, but to encourage my students to develop better assignment responses, I describe my grading system. I use a baseline system which allows the addition of extra points--up to the assignment maximum--for extra properly cited research, extra meaningful comments, or a very well developed response.
Bob
James,
This is a terrific recommendation. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hi All,
While I think there are some basics that all faculty expectation statements/documents might include, I always like to end mine, which I distribute in week one of every course, with a strong emphasis on time management. A large part of online learning is self-guided and this requires an extra effort on the part of online students. If they are not initiated to the online learning experience, they may not expect this. In fact, they may believe that online learning will be easier or less demanding than an on-ground experience. I like to highlight time management as the key to their online learning success. It’s not just about setting aside enough time to complete the required coursework, but about thinking ahead, and scheduling their time so that learning isn’t just a goal or a task, it is something their lives are setup to complete.
James.
James,
These are all excellent proactive measures. Thanks for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
David,
This is an very good explanation. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Samia,
Well stated and academically sound. Very nice.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Perry ,
Vell defined and comprehensive. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
