Jerri,
Do you also include other expectations the students should have for you? Such as the timeliness of grading, when best to contact you, how the assessments will accomplished...others? The more detail the students have on the front end of a course, the less likely that confusion and misunderstanding will creep in to the course.
Herbert Brown III
I feel that students need to feel that they can rely on the instructor. I am very clear on what they can expect from me. #1 is constant communication. I tell them I cannot help them if they don't communicate with me. I do give them several ways to reach me.
Additionally, I give the students information on when assessments and assignments are due, when grading occurs, classroom rules.
As far as my expectations I go over plagiarism, timing of assignments and discussion posts, requesting extensions to name a few. Jerri
Colleen,
What about expectations for you as the instructor of the course. Should the students be able to expect things in the course FROM you as well? Such as how long it will take assignments to be returned. Depth and kinds of feedback, etc.
Herbert Brown III
Janet,
I like the way you included elements for you, the instructor, in your expectations. I believe it is important for students to not only understand what is expected FROM them but what they can expect FROM US as well. It helps hold everyone accountable in the course.
Herbert Brown III
I feel the following are elements that should be included in the faculty expectations statement:
- turnaround time for grading assignments
- turnaround time for answering questions
- the best way to contact the instructor with questions
- instructor office hours
- instructor's availability to chat or speak by phone
- whether extensions will be granted, and if so policy on granting extensions
Hi, Everyone,
It is important to let students know when you will be available, how (email, phone, etc.) you can be contacted, and when they can expect a response from you (e.g., within 24 hours). It is also important to have a clearly written syllabus that explains to the student the course requirements (discussion expectations, quizzes, etc.), how the required elements will be graded and what the objectives of the course are.
Janet
Ligia,
These all sound like expectations for the students in your online course. Would you also list expectations for what the instructor will do in the course? What might those look like?
Herbert Brown III
*Detailed expectations and formats for assignments
*Clear instructions for communicating with the instructor on private matters versus questions of interest to all students in the class
*List of assignments and locations of relevant rubrics or examples
Mark,
I appreciate that you share with your students both student and instructor expectations. Instructor expectations hold us accountable for our presence in the course just as much as the students and sets the stage for things like effective communications, appropriate communications, timeliness of grading, etc. When we establish clear expectations for everyone, the course will typically run smoother.
Herbert Brown III
I feel that expectations are important for both the instructor and student. I have found it helpful to post as an announcement at the start of the class what it is that I expect from the students. In addition I post what it is, that they can expect from me. I have found that students will do most anything as long as they know what is expected of them
Rashunda,
I agree, detailed expectations for students are important for any course and it helps to ensure that students have a good chance at succeeding in the course because they know the clear expectations. These are expectations for the students, do you believe there should also be expectations for what the instructor does in the course?
Herbert Brown III
A faculty expectations statement should include the following: virtual office hours and contact information for the instructor; deadlines and/or dates that assignments are due, especially those that are due weekly at a particular time such as discussion posts; penalties for late submissions; and you may even want to include a motivational/inspirational quote so that students will be motivated and challenged to perform well. Faculty expectations statements set the tone for the class and they should be informative as well as inviting for the student to want to learn.
Katie,
I agree. The more detail you can provide your students, the more likely they will be to meet your expectations. If they don't know what they are, they can't meet them.
Herbert Brown III
From the start of the on line course, I feel it is important for all class expectations to be communicated clearly. Obviously, this would involve having a detailed syllabus. But, I also like to post separate instructor announcements to remind students of items that may be over looked. For example, many students over look the fact that their main discussion post is due before the rest of their lesson due dates. Being clear and concise with details with students from the start will help keep expectations clear.
Rocio,
I agree all of these are important. I would also suggest that communication expectations are also important to set boundaries and clear expectations around class communications. This clears up the issues of a student becoming angry when you didn't respond to their 2am email for help. I would also suggest that there might be some expectations listed for the instructor....what the students should expect in the course from their instructor.
Herbert Brown III
From my experience, not only for on-line courses, the key factor is the evaluation system and the grading scale. It's very important that the students are fully aware how they are going to be evaluated: # of quizzes, evaluation criteria for essays or other written papers, etc. This will give the students and the professors the proper setting to begin the course. Also, is very important that the students know the learning objectives of the course.
Nashid,
That is true, the more detail that you consider important should be included. However, we should consider the diversity of the students in the course as well and try to leave open aspects of assignments (as possible) so that the students can focus on elements that are personal or important to them. If the students "connect" with the assignment, they are less likely to look for a loop hole.
Herbert Brown III
Nashid,
That is what makes the course expectations so important and are usually detailed on the course syllabus. Every instructor is different; therefore, it is extremely important that your students have all of the expectations that will ensure their success in your course. It is also a good learning experience for them because they will have to adapt to different people and work experiences in the work world.
Herbert Brown III
This is a nice touch. I have not considered a follow up letter to address initial progress. This may help with retention.
Prior to implementing this measure had you encountered a retention issue?
Some students have a knack for finding the loophole. The standards are set, and the expectations are clear, but the details are not all written.
The student will find a way to exploit the gap. The syllabus and directions must always be as through as possible.
