Philip,
I can certainly understand that. I feel that way many times as well. I have also found that student's concepts of time and mine are sometimes not in synch. That is why I asked. Some students might think that a call to your cell phone for help at 1:30am if fine...they are up...shouldn't you be. I find myself tweaking my expectations the more I teach online. It just sets clear direction for everyone involved.
Herbert Brown III
Philip,
I can certainly understand that. I feel that way many times as well. I have also found that student's concepts of time and mine are sometimes not in synch. That is why I asked. Some students might think that a call to your cell phone for help at 1:30am if fine...they are up...shouldn't you be. I find myself tweaking my expectations the more I teach online. It just sets clear direction for everyone involved.
Herbert Brown III
Yes Sir! Before 9:30 am or after 9:30 pm. I also tell all my students I'll work my butt off for them as long as they work as much as I do but when I put more effort into their class than they do, I have a problem with that.
Philip,
Are there any specific expectations that you have in your courses that you can't do without. Such as hours students can communicate with you, etc.?
Herbert Brown III
Consistency is the most important. Once you deviate from consistently delivering the product or enforcement of the rules, you confuse the students. That being said, you have to show that it is a team approach and that the student isn't alone and will receive the help they need in order to be successful as long as they are willing to put forth the effort.
David,
I really like your exepcations. Your final statement gets at some critical components of an effective online environment. Specifically an environment that is student focused, which is something I think we all need to keep in the forefront of our classroom designs.
Herbert Brown III
Faculty expectations should include such things as expected turn around time for asynchronous discussions, preparedness for lectures and discussions, whether asynchronous or synchronous, posting of grades in a timely manner, holding of office hours as stated in the syllabus, being a sounding board for course-related ideas, and being a valuable resource beyond the textbook to direct students along successful, individualized learning paths. Timeliness, active participation, and energy!
Janis,
I have also found that to be true in my classes. Some people report that the students don't read the expectations so some instructors design a simple assessment (quiz, survey, discussion response) on the expectations to have verification that the students read and understand the expectations.
Herbert Brown III
I think that what is communicated at the beginning of the course is crucial for setting the tone.
You know the old saying, 'tell me the rules and I can play the game' - well it is true for students too. Tell them the expectations up front and then they most likely will deliver to those expectations!
Janis
Janis,
This is a good start. These statements head off problems before they arise in the class. You can make assumptions that students won't call after 8 pm, but why not be clear. I have tweaked my expectations over the years as issues arise each semester. I am not sure my expectations will ever be perfect, but as long as I hit the important points then I am good.
Herbert Brown III
A faculty expectation statement is a good idea!
It could include things like grades will be posted by Wednesday midnight each week.
Or
Your emails will be answered with 24-48 hours of your sending them to me. If you have an urgent issue that is time sensitive, you may call me (but never after 8:00 p.m. in the evening).
J
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?
Stating the expectations for the course at the beginning, followed by clear and consistent communication as the course instructor is key to making sure that the student understands exactly what the course entails, and what is expected of them.
It is also important to make sure that your office hours, and availability to the online student are honored. This demonstrates to the student that you are committed to their success.
Making sure that all communication, including feedback on student work, especially grades are done in a very timely manner.
Because you are not able to establish a relationship in person with your students, all of the above actions are very, very important.
By being available, and consistent in all learning activities and communications, you can establish trust and a relationship with your online students.
I feel when you deal with an online learner it is the same as dealing with a learner in a traditional classroom. You have to establish trust and make them see some value in what they are participating in.
Trust can be more dificult in an online enviroment because you are limited in your ways to communicate. Body language is a primary comunication for most. So transitioning from a traditional classroom to a virtual will have some challenges. I think personal comunication will help build a relationship.
Value is probably the same in both enviroments, you have to let the learner know how the information will help them today and in the future.
Richard,
I agree that setting high expectations for faculty and students will help to ensure consistency throughout the students' educational experiences at that institution. High expectations also encourage a higher caliber of work in both groups. I would suggest that there needs to be some flexibility in the faculty expectations as each class and content differs. Therefore, in some classes a direct instructor post to every student post might not foster the sense of community among the students that you want. It seems there would just need to be some flexibility in the model.
rbert Brown III
Good Afternoon, yes, this is exactly what I am suggesting. Management needs to set forth consistent and high expectations for their factuly. This will direct the faculty as to what guidlines in which they can between. For instance, an instructor must log in to the online classroom at least once each day. The instructor must respond to each post the student posts. Parameters such as this must be set for the for the instructors obligations and the institutions expections are synonymous with eachother. If faculty members do not have clear high expectations as the students move from one class to the next, they will be unfamilar with the strengency and latitude of the institution. This will be a direct outcome to the inconsistencies presented by various instructors.
Richard,
Can you clarify this statement a little? Are you suggesting that faculty need high expectations set for them? What might those look like? I concur that if students do not have clear expectations identified in their online courses then it leads to a lot of confusion and misunderstanding as well as a lot of questions for the instructor.
Herbert Brown III
I believe that setting clear high expectations for your faculty is crucially important. With varing expectations levels that students are exposed to, can lead to students being confused as to their own expectations.
I think faculty expectations are critical in the learners ability to feel confident and secure as they embark on a course. One of the ways I have "delivered" or "communicated" expectations is to have one of my first discussion threads asking the question of the students - What are the reasonable expectation we can all agree to so that the stated outcomes of the course can be achieved and you the student can have a successful and fun learning experience? Most of the time the students will offer suggestions that align with my institutions faculty expectations policy. I find that by using the approach asking I can leverage the concept that people dont argue with their own data. This help considerable when students are looking for a reason to challeng the agreed expectations.
Pennie,
A very detailed, excellent list of expectations. Do you find that these are comprehensive or do you regularly adjust them? I find myself regularly re-visiting my expectations and refining them through the experience of each semester. How do you ensure that the students have read and comprehend the expectations?
Herbert Brown III
Pennie,
A very detailed, excellent list of expectations. Do you find that these are comprehensive or do you regularly adjust them? I find myself regularly re-visiting my expectations and refining them through the experience of each semester. How do you ensure that the students have read and comprehend the expectations?
Herbert Brown III
