I find that expectations and syllabus requirements vary by institution.
Some require specifics in the syllabus, i.e., faculty information, goals, objectives, learning outcomes, the assignments, due dates, grading requirements, rubrics, etc.
Expectations to me provide specific details with regard to the assignments, rubrics, and grading, along with due dates.
For instance, in class courses students are expected to have the assignments ready to discuss and turn in the day of class.
Online courses are somewhat more flexible, as they can submit during the "week", and grading will be done say by Tuesday after the Sunday the week ends. Students can also reach faculty during the week say by email, whereas in class, you wait until the day of class.
Expectations can also define reductions for late work, and can note limitations for late submission.
Expectations in addition can define class room behavior, respect, and civility. Academic Honesty is also defined in many cases. Use the Libraries, and research criteria can be outlined.
Kaitlin,
I also include grading information so students have a clear expectation of how grading will be conducted and what they should expect in that process.
Herbert Brown III
Darlene,
What kinds of things do you put in your expectations? Do you have expectations for students and the instructor?
Herbert Brown III
I feel by posting this expectation statement up front, the student will have less apprehension. Think of it as a party, and when the door opens the host is there to welcome each guest!
I think there are many important elements that should be included in the faculty expectations statement. I believe this to be the first impression that the student has of the instructor which makes it important. I think that it should include at the least information about further announcement, where they can find the syllabus, due dates, and how the instructor can be reached. These are some of the most important elements that students need to succeed in a course.
Melinda ,
I agree that faculty support is crucial to the success of any online strategic implementation. I have seen money and equipment thrown at faculty to encourage them to teach online just to have few people embrace it and the technology sit idol. Training and mentoring is the key. If you can show and help faculty understand the tools and visualize how their course can work online they are more likely to be successful.
Herbert Brown III
At a school I was recently teaching, the mentor program wasn't clearly outlined. I was new and it was a new platform; I became totally frustrated and really didn't want to continue. I think new faculty, especially, need to know what type of support they will have.
Hello Herbert,
Thanks for your response! Yes, absolutely. In my Course Expectations and in my Cyber Cafe where I have my students post their introductions I ask them to list any expectations that they may have of me. Communication of these expectations are essential and goes both ways. Happy Holidays!
Warm regards....
Dr. Naomi
Dr. Naomi,
This is a good list. These all appear to be student-centered expectations. Do you include what students should expect from their instructor within some of these and other categories? Should faculty have expectations to meet as well?
Herbert Brown III
While there are certainly faculty expectations, I believe that the preparedness of the student is far more important. A quality program will provide the student with everything they need - technology platform, support, resources, etc. However, no amount of anything can makeup for the lack of effort by the student. Leaving everything to the last minute, assuming "online is easy" and lack of discipline must all come from the student and are the true keys to success!
Generally, three to four days before my course starts I post the course expectations. Within this post I list the following:
1 - My contact information,
2 - Chat and office hours,
3 - An overview of the course content,
4 - Grading,
5 - Group expectations and assignments if there is a group project.
6 - Library information, and
7 - Late Policy
Best...
Dr. Naomi
Chris,
What about expectations for instructors? Should you include expectations for the instructor so the students know what to expect from their instructor? Maybe factors such as timeliness of grading, communications expectations, etc.
Herbert Brown III
Linda,
That is true and it helps if we make this very clear in our course expectations up front and then help the students manage and organize their time and workload so they can meet these deadlines. What about other student expectations in the course, such as elements around professional behavior, communications, grading standards, etc. Should you also have expectations listed for the instructor of the course...what should the students expect from their instructor (around such things like timeliness in grading, communication expectations, etc.).
Herbert Brown III
expectations are very important to establish to online students. topics such as dealines, late policies and assignment rubrics are essential to student success.
What is important to communicate as an expectation of the online learning environment is that students know that they can not just log on whenever they feel like it. Online courses, just like the classroom, have attendance policies and course deadlines to meet.
Patricia,
What are some things you see yourself including in your course expectations for the students? Are there expectations for the faculty teaching the course as well?
Herbert Brown III
Janette,
The student expectations I include are all of the standard expectations for the online course. These include such things as grading policies, communication expectations, and other course related expectations. There are times I have to go back and revisit these and refine them with more detail as course issues arise, such as professionalism expectations when students begin to respond to each other in unprofessional ways. You will find yourself refining these the more you teach online.
Herbert Brown III
Rickey,
I agree it is higher education and clear expectations have to be set. However, it is also our responsibility to teach our students life and career skills that might include organization skills, time management, etc. that could ensure their success in an online course.
Herbert Brown III
The statement should be detailed and specific, so that the students don't feel like anything is in question.
I would expect faculty expectations to include a time frame for having interaction with the instructor. For example, emails will be responded to within 24 hours, assignments will be graded within 72 hours.
I would like to see the instructor demonstrate that they are available when I need it, so virtual office hours are posted and responses might take much less time than is required.
I am not required to check my online courses on the weekends, but I try to do it anyway, knowing that many of my students use that time to do their work. I try to schedule my presence online around when I know the bulk of the students are completing their work.
Are there any student expectations that you have found to be useful as reminders for the class?
