Betsy: Making sure that all communication, including feedback on student work, especially grades are done in a very timely manner.
Andrea: Hi Betsy! Grading upon deadline is so important so students may make corrections on upcoming work prior to the unit deadline.
A course expectations announcement should be added to the classroom at the start of the session.
Office hours: days and times.
Grading: when students should expected submissions assessed.
Seminars/Live Chats: post the dates and times students may access lecture.
Assignment Due Dates: noted for each unit.
APA Style and writing: summary of expectations.
Learning Labs: where students may find assistance via tutoring for APA Style and course content.
ANTHONY,
I agree these are all important. Are there any specifics in these categories that you use that have been very helpful or effective for you?
Herbert Brown III
It is important to identify Expectations as they relate to:
1) submitting assignments.
2) late policy
3) grading feedback
4) frequency of being actively online
5) email responses
Aida,
That has been my experience as well. It is not always enough to just post the expectations, you need to consider ways to make sure the students engage that content. Discussing them and making sure everyone knows what they are is a good idea. Others sometimes will give an assignment or short quiz on the expectations to ensure the students read them and understand them.
Herbert Brown III
I have found that I need to go over the Course Expectations in the first chat and then continuously remind them to go back and read them.
I think it is important that the statement comes across as positive and supportive. This is critical because of the nature of the course, the student is not able to see you or read your body language. The students need to know you are available and open to their questions.
lindsey,
All the things are mention are right on the mark. Being as clear as possible regarding all aspects of the course (communication, grading, assignments, behavior, etc.) is very important. Ensuring you are providing students timely feedback is paramount to your "presence" in the online classroom.
Herbert Brown III
I feel that this is a very interesting question. This is my first time teaching an online course. However, I feel that an instructor should be as clear as possible with what their students can expect at the outset. Also, I feel that quickly responding to your students questions and concerns will also gain their trust in you.
The important elements of a faculty expectation statement are to specify on-going communication with students as well as grading their assignment in a timely manner. I've discovered Students are less stressed when these two elements have been addressed.
Alicia,
I like your variation on expectations. Delivering it as an FAQ instead of "expectations" might come across a little less forceful for some students.
Herbert Brown III
This is a great idea. Providing a faculty expectations statement is a great way to begin building rapport with the students, set boundaries, and ease anxiety. At the start of each course, I provide a FAQ sheet, which addresses many of the questions students may have but are afraid to ask, such as "How will I know if I have missed an assignment?" It is in the FAQ announcement that I let students know what is expected of them (quality, on-time assignment submissions) and what they can expect of me (timely grading, helpful feedback, and prompt responses to messages and emails).
Tiffany,
Great! I think it is helpful to have a statement about faculty expectations, it holds us accountable as well. We must follow through with your expectations though, since the alternative could be problematic.
Herbert Brown III
I have never really thought about putting a specific statement in my online course regarding what students can expect from me. However, I really like the idea since our syllabi have student expectations for a course in them. I think it would be important for my students to know my contact information (which I put in a welcome letter), "office hours," when grades will be finished every week, and the response time for e-mails. If students know that I hold a standard for myself and my performance at a high level, then maybe that will inspire them to set their standards of performance at a higher level. A faculty expectation statment is something I will use next time I teach an online class!
Jennifer,
I really like your statement of "trust." This is especially important when students can't see you personally. When you follow through with your responsibilities and provide quality feedback and "understanding" and guidance the students will feel a stronger connection with you building that sense of community.
Herbert Brown III
I believe that it takes a multiple styles to be able to teach effectively. In today’s world technology has given us so many opportunities to access information and learn a variety of things at the touch of our fingertips. Getting my education via brick and mortar was a great experience and being able to interact with other people. Online teaching allows you to interact on a different level. I think we all have something to offer to students with different teaching styles. I think we have the responsibility to diversify the type of assignments students are given and introduce new ways of learning.
John Theodore
I feel that it is important to establish communication at the very beginning. Clear expectations communicated to the learners and asking them what their expecations are for both the course and the instructor. It is then important to respond to how each will meet desired expectations.
Trust is also a big factor and it is important to establish trust from the very beginning. One way to do this is to follow through with what you promise. If one of the expectations is that you will respond to e-maails within 24 hours, you have to make sure that you do that.
Romanda,
So what do you feel, or does your institution suggest, is a reasonable time frame to respond to students? Do you find yourself only responding from 8-5 M-F or do you respond almost 24/7 as you are available?
Herbert Brown III
I feel that implementing real time presence is very vital and important. Keeping the students engaged by allowing open communication as well as office hours will benefit there learning process. An instructor should focus on adhere to all policies and expectations by being available and also responding to students in the required time frame. I also feel that an instructor should always provide assistance to student who may send emails or questions through the student lounge.
Romanda Cooper
I feel there are several important elements to a faculty expectations state:
1) Availability of instructor for office hours and or phone
2) Chat times
3) Email/phone turn around time
4) Grading expectations
If students know, for example, that calls are typically returned within 48 hours on a weekend then they will not be as upset when that occurs because they know to expect it.
Keeping students informed is as important as the students keeping their instructors informed of issues. Communication is key and it is a two way street.
Kim C.
