Online Teaching
I really like the online teaching environment because I believe it provides more people the opportunity to go to school and achieve success. However, it is important for students to understand the demands of the online environment and have to be self-directed and motivated to complete their courses.
Donte,
Students do appreciate it when you can connect to them on a more personal level. They are also more likely to come to you for help if they need it if they feel like you understand them.
Herbert Brown III
I completely agree with you, like many other students I decided to obtain a degree online and had to learn quick the way in which online learning works and the way to approach learning. One thing I like to do with my students is share my online experience and show the correlation to what some of them may be going through but also offer assistance in any way that I can.
Karen,
The time/space distance does incur some inherent challenges that do not exist in the f2f classroom. The same is true in the reverse. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
My only experience with teaching is actually online. While I appreciate that there is more flexibility for students, it also brings into play the distractions that come about online, and the ability to just not show up, or become disinterested in the lack of face to face contact.
Nicole,
Good point. This seems to be one of the most influential factors for the rapid expansion of online education.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I really like the online environment too. It gives the students and teachers chances to better their education and still be able to keep a job. I know sometimes that is one of the biggest problems for people is they can't go to college because it interferes with their job.
Tom,
The big "P" seems to be pervasive among all levels of distance ed. Your recommendation is a good one. Additionally, most of the online schools for which I have taught have some type of student monitoring that reaches out to students who do not stay on track with consistent participation/submission per classwork. Thanks for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I don't think any instructor would disagree with you on this point. Having said that, I think it doesn't hurt to have some kind of discussion/post up front about the role that personal motivation will and can play in the student's success. Far too often I think learners see the "great flexibility" offered to them in taking an online class. However, if they procrastinate on a regular basis, the flexibility will turn on them.
Hello Gayle,
You are so right. Do you have any recommendations you have made to students that have proven especially successful?
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I agree with you Denise. I have also found that it teaches the student to master time management skills. There still has to be a specific time of day with no interruptions for students to do their on-line assignments
Hello Phillip,
Yes, many of the adult learners I come across have limited technology skills. Their participation in class often opens new technology opportunities to them. Good point - thanks.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Online teaching is a great way to actually convey technology to students as well. By using the computers.....we are essentially preparing them for even more new emerging technology.
Hello Louis,
I like your thoughts and your point of bias reduction. I was thinking how a study might be designed to test that hypothesis. It seems reasonable, depending on the propensities of the instructor. Excellent points.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I enjoy online teaching. The flexibility it allows students is a big plus. Also it allows students to have a voice who otherwise might not. It also eliminates or reduces teacher bias a teacher accepts work for what it is not who sent it in.
Christopher,
Your affinity for the individualized approach in the online environment indicates your likely effectiveness. The meta-analysis issued by the US Department of Education in may 2009 identified the individualization of online instruction as one of the best practices to attain a significant impact on student success. Additionally, drawing out those shy individuals sometimes adds some very helpful conversation to the class discussion.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I like the on-line teaching for it provides an environment where you have to hear from each student. In a classroom - some people do not feel as comfortable to voice their opinions.
Tipton,
It seems the 6/2 hybrid model (part DL and part in residence) works well for your program in many ways. Thank you for sharing these insights.
We are a part of a military academy and using online instruction provides greater acccessibility for students (globally) and reduces high costs of resident courses. This is significant in that our 8 month COI has a 6 month DL followed by 2 month of residency.
Hello Mrs. Haynes,
Your observations are on target and the expanded access you identified is one of the great reasons online learning is so popular.
