Answer emails please
I teach online courses and I have taken online courses and the one thing that bothers me most is lack of timely communication. Have set hours that are posted online to respond to emails and questions. Please be sure to remind your students that you are not plugged-in 24/7 but you will stick to the schedule posted.
Having set hours for responding to e-mails is a good idea, specially when students are not available during my online office hours.
Alan,
This is where I believe training is paramount for all online instructors. Many don't realize what a good online environment should look like and what it means to guide student learning while still staying active. I wouldn't blame the individuals until I had the whole picture. If it was forced on the instructors (which I have seen) and they didn't have the training to do it right, it is hard to blame them.
Herbert Brown III
Not to pick on an institution, but my wife just finished a masters degree from WGU. She would often wait days or as long as a week for responses from instructors. Their student service personnel were great but the instructors were atrocious at responding and facilitating directly or on the side. I've never seen worse.
Deanna,
Students can begin a course feeling somewhat disconnected from their learning which is a part of learning online. As you note, if the student doesn't get quick feedback early and often in the course they become even more disconnected very quickly and their motivation and performance may suffer. The timely feedback and interaction with the instructor and other students in the course is absolutely VITAL.
Herbert Brown III
I agree that timely communication is important. That seems to be one of student's biggest frustrations if they feel that they are being ignored.
kelia,
You are right timely response is VERY important. The lack of response from an instructor makes students feel even more alienated in the course - as if no one if there to help them and they are just going through the motions. This is probably one of the most detrimental issues to any online course. A set time each day to respond to the course, provide feedback, post encouraging statements, etc. can ensure you as the instructor are staying connected and demonstrating your "presence."
Herbert Brown III
Kelia,
I agree with having times posted in the syllabus to let student learners know when I will and will not be available. I try to answer questions before the 24 hour deadline. Sometimes, this may not be the case if I overlook an email, or it is posted on the Q and A section of the threaded discussion tabs. Missing an email or question is to be expected, but should not happen often. I immediately call the student, if they are awake, and explain my error and answer the question that was posed. I think this helps the student understand that I made a mistake, but I am trying to correct it by reaching out to them in a personal manner rather than just sending an email. This takes practice and patience. If you have a class of 22 then you have to mentally be prepared to deal with all 22 student learners and how they learn. With technology, I am able to stay connected a lot better and get those responses out the door before they sit too long.
