CRUCIAL: FILLING "THE UMBILCAL CORD" OF ONLINE TEACHING!
We teach our students via a computer; at the other end students react to what we write, our suggestions, our presence, and our enthusiasm. These last two items -- presence and enthusiasm -- are especially critical, for these form the critical "blood supply" that keeps that umbilical cord pumping away between instructor and students; when the flow of this is weak or non-existent the students' interest, engagement, and excitement for the course soon dies, and thus their online learning experience becomes one that is wasted.
We can write and suggest all over the place -- that's easy -- but to make these come alive and having meaning our presence must be constant and our enthusiasm must be on-going.
Cally,
You are correct, your enthusiasm does help. Timely feedback that is constructive for the students is also paramount to their success. Too much critical feedback and turn them off from learning.
Herbert Brown III
I am new to instructing altogether, but have watched enough to see that students really do react to our enthusiasm. Just having proper feedback helps them immensely, making them feel more confident that they are doing the right thing. Thus helping retention rates.
Errol,
I agree that all instructors need to display enthusiasm for their courses and content. I love teaching and the courses I teach. On course evaluations I regularly receive statements about my enthusiasm. I state this for the fact tha it also helps to establish your "presense" and add to the motivation of the students. The more excited I get about a subject, the more attention I seem to get from the students. The more excited the STUDENTS get about the the content, the more THEY are motivated in the content.
Herbert Brown III
