I disagree. Some students need to know anyway that help is there. ask questions that the student have to answer to see if they need the help first. discuss the situation again with student and tell the stuent you are there if they need you.
Hi, Jim:
Very good point! I will not meet an online student unless the meeting is approved by the school, and I will only meet the student on the school campus.
I was teaching at another school on campus. Some online students can ask the campus to allow them attend the ongroud courses sometimes.
A student needs technical skills, ability to learn by himself/herself, and discipline, to be successful in online courses.
thanks
Jingxi
Avis,
Very sound advice. These are the major means by which many online instructors assist the individual student.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Online instructors do have limits; however, there are a number of things that can be done to reach out to students. I often send individual emails to students addressing a concern in a kindhearted way so as not to offend but to let them know I am here for them if needed. I may offer to set up a phone call conference to discuss concerns. I may even contact the advisor if I feel the situation is critical. Regardless, I would continue to send periodic emails regarding missing assignments or attendance issues to let the student know that I care and want to help.
My best,
Avis
Amy,
That personal connection of genuine concern can be vital for many of today's students. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree that if an online student does not come to your office hours for help that there is little more that I can do. I believe it's important to contact students in many ways if I can see that they are struggling. I do not simply wait for them to contact me. I email them, instant message them (if I can see they are online when I am), or I have even called them.
While it may be the student's primary responsibility to let us, as instructors, we often know if they are having a hard time. We can look in the grade book, check our attendance records and see who is "absent" and/or not participating. I usually start with a simple email that asks if they are "OK?" and offer my help. If I don't get a response, I call or IM them. I always convey concern for them, not just their status in the class.
Nicholas,
Continued availablility coupled with follow-up encouragement. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Well even if a student doesn't respond to offers of help it is still important to repeatedly show that you are available. Not only through email but also through one on one chat sessions or by phone. Also, if they still are resistant to taking the offers of help assignment and other course feedback can be used to offer help in a supportive manner. It is important to keep the offer out there so that they feel welcome and to provide help whenever you can.
Dale,
Very sound. Good advice. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
While online learning has its advantages for many students, it also has some disadvantages (like the ones discussed in Forum 3).
When all attempts to help the student have failed, I think it is important to re-direct students to their academic advisor when I feel that the online atmosphere is not good for a particular student.
Many people thrive in the online arena, while others just don't do well at all. Sometimes, it is important to help that student understand that they either need to make the necessary adjustments to the online atmosphere, or consider going back to brick-and-mortar type schooling. The student advisors can help in this area as well.
Dr. Aron,
That is a very reasonable response. Extending support and encouragement in the online environment is a large part of what we do.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I agree. However, one can send follow-up emails to the Student Support Service, and the student to explain that the student is not responding to my offer for help. I personally would try to send an email, and if possible call the student to show that I am concerned and hopes that s/he accepts the offer.
Dr. Aron
Barbara,
Encouragement and empowerment are our most significant avenues of influence. We, as instructors, cannot be satisfied with minimal effort in these enterprises. Yet, each adult learner is ultimately responsible for their own learning.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
James,
I agree we need to have the adult learners accept the responsibility for their own learning. Sympathy for them is not a productive response, in fact it can significantly negative consequences. Sometimes the students who come to our institutions haven't had the encouragement or understanding to pursue the correct avenues and they have only been 'punished' for not getting it right. As I stated, I agree with you that sympathy is a poor response to many of the issues. What are some of your more successful avenues of response? Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I do agree with this. Other than calling, emailing and emailing the student's academic adviser, what can be done? This is not so different from the traditional classroom. I have had students stop attending class and have followed all the "alerting" requirements that are in place for at-risk students without a response.
I will be honest with you, I have little sympathy for students who refuse to help themselves or to receive and use help from me, or some other resources I provide them. If they want to waste their money and time I am not going to stay up nights worrying about what I did and did not do.
Jim,
This is a critical point. Today's world has many entrapments for the unsuspecting.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Aside from the safety issue, there is an additional reason to use caution for a personal meeting with a student. When I taught at a CEC ground campus, I remember it being mandatory to sign a non-fraternization aggreement. We were not allowed to give any student a ride to the gas station if a student's car broke down. The point was that we could not place ourselves in a position where a student could make an accusation that would create a liability issue for CEC.
Ola,
Yes, providing extensive encouragement and letting them know you care is sometimes all that is left to be done. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
That's tough if the students is not responding back to emails or not participating in the course at all. I continue to reach out, or try to send them few question with some of the topics that they might need help with. Encouraging words is key here, and it makes them respond better if they know you care.
