Robert Donato

Agreed, Michelle!

Reading student BIO's helps to get to know the student a bit, as well as helps to place them in the course, with respect to his or her level of learning.

Students can glean information from our BIO's as well. I am always sure to post BIO and solicit students to post detailed BIO's as well.

Thanks,
Robert

Herbert Brown III

Carter,

So I assume you mean that the students stay together in each course and therefore don't need to meet each other in each course. I would "extend" the idea of an intro bio. to ask them to reflect on what they feel the course will cover and what their background is in that area. You can also include things like, what are the most interesting 3 things that have happened to you since we last had class together....mix it up.

Herbert Brown III

Carter Humphrey

This is a new idea (and a good one) to me.

In my school, the students are arranged in a cohort, and have other "on ground" courses together.

Anyone have any ideas on how to evolve the idea of bio's beyond the first course together?

Herbert Brown III

Robert,

Online learning is about more than just conveying knowledge/facts to students. To do it right, we should be building a sense of community among our students and you cannot do that without everyone knowing a little more about each other. You might even suggest that in one of the first classes students take, or to complete an orientation, they have to complete their online bio so that others can see it throughout the program.

Herbert Brown III

Robert Mattox

Michele

I too really like the idea of everyone being able to see each other's bio's. But, our 5 week terms don't allow for what the student's (and administration) would consider 'off-topic' activities.

However, my virtual campus includes a class roster. Here I (and, I assume all the other students .... but, I'm not positve about that) can bring down a single page description for each student.

Unfortunately, most student descriptions include only their gender and location. Typically the photo is left blank and no other biographical information is provided.

It would be great to have some basic information about a student to give me (and the other students) a starting point.

Would you agree that this is something that should be discussed with the administration?

Thanks. Robert

Herbert Brown III

Kelly,

With my graduate students I ask a variety of questions that others typically don't ask and some are off the wall questions. I don't ask them to tell me their hobbies and such. Instead, I ask them to write what they are passionate about, what is their favorite ice cream, how they learn best and why. In general things that make it a little more personal and aren't the normal things. It is amazing what you can find out about someone by asking them what their favorite ice cream is.

Herbert Brown III

Kelly Essary

I typically teach the last few courses in the program (like portfolio), and the students usually know each other well. You can usually tell that the bio section has been copied and pasted and is old news for the students.

Any ideas of how to freshen up this activity for students who are nearing graduation?

Herbert Brown III

Michele,

I do use Bios and I ask them to not only post them the first week of class, but also to read and respond to their classmate's posts. This way the students find that they have similar interests, etc. and often begin to build bonds and connections with each other early in the program. I not only teach online classes, but also manage an undergraduate and a graduate online program. It is amazing what you find out about your students and the connections you can make through this process.

Herbert Brown III