Get Your Students Hired
Establishing your authority is key to the online classroom. Students need to have the same respect for you, and their fellow students, as they would in the classroom. The way to keep that respect is to make sure you establish who is going to make the rules and grade the test, but at the same time you want to make sure that you respect the students as well.
You do not want to be rude or condescending to the students or treat them like children, but they do need to know who is in charge.
To get respect you must give respect!
Sarah,
Communication is VITAL in an online classroom. As you note, the prompt responses, thoughtful discussions, and the ability of the instructor to run a smooth and meaningful class helps to establish authority in the class.
Herbert Brown III
One of the best ways to establish the proper respectful relationship with students is to make sure the online environment is prepared and functional to the best of your ability as the instructor. Quick turnaround on assignments, prompt feedback, quick response to emails, and interest in the success of the students is vital to conveying your professionalism and your respect for them. They need to perceive the instructor as a professional as well as an expert.
Regards
Sarah Whylly
I agree. The key to establishing your authority is to respect the students. In addition, you should expect respect from your students. I find that if I am objective and fair that is a good start. I also indicate to students my expectations with regards to interactions.
Where I have found students to be rude is in email exchanges. They are much bolder in their emails than they would be in person. This doesn't happen often but when it has I explain to the student objectively and without judgement. I first let them know that their behaviour is unacceptable and that I expect them to treat me with respect. After that I answer their questions objectively. This usually fixes the issue.
Establishing boundaries must be done from the begining and then everyone understands the "game".
Nina Miville
I agree that it is about mutual respect from instructor to student and student to student and student to instructor.
Robert,
Good question and one that can only be answered by assessing your instructional style and personality combination. This will help you to find your comfort zone for working with the students while remaining their learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Establishing authority in an online environment requires, knowledge, skils, and abilities. First, credentials show learners that you are qualified to teach the course. Second, interaction with learners will show them that you are concerned with their success. Finally, honest and detailed feedback will show learners that you want them to learn. I have never had a problem with learners knowing I am in charge. I do, however, consider myself a facilitator more so than an instructor. Especially, if the students are graduate level.
Kathleen,
Being human as an instructor is important whether the course is onsite or online. We do warm up to and relate with those that we respect and they respect us back. We need to remember to show our human side when we start our courses off.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have been in plenty of online courses where students were from other countries and bashed the US all the time. I have also had instructors be extremly rude to me (or at least it came across like that. I found instructors who came across as caring I related to the best. The ones who took the time and commented on my posts I tried to do my best for to keep recieving praise. The rude instructor I avoided any question becasue of his responses thus I didn't learn much from him.
Teaching online education today plays a role in the personal and professional lives of the student. The student now has the convenience and flexibility to realize personal goals of a degree that was not obtainable in the traditional classroom due to the time constraints between work and family. Class takes place to fit the student’s schedule. Further, classes lean towards areas that can be applied to the student’s work environment while following the textbook. So respect is the key to teaching online education. Well stated in your answer here!