Establishing Relationships
Establishing a relationship with your online learners are important. I post a welcome announcement on the blackboard for my students when they log in for the first time. On the first day of the class I email them a rise to the top email giving them tips on how to successfully complete the class and how to contact me.
Cathleen,
Communication is always the key. The more you can communicate with your students the more they are likely to engage the course at a higher level and remain active in the course. The students will also typically gauge your "presence" in the course based on your quantity of communication.
Herbert Brown III
I have only sent the course announcement, but I do plan to try sending personal messages to each student. We generally only send messages to non participating students during the second week of class.
The point regarding the personal follow up message at the close of the first week was very interesting. I generally post a summary announcement -- but the one on one interaction can be very influential.
Has anyone seen a demonstrable difference?
