Assisting the Online Student
If an online student does not respond to your offers to help; as an online Instructor, there is very little more you can do. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your answer.
Hi- I think that the instructor should make a concerted effort to reach out to the student. This would be via email and phone typically. If these are not receiving a response than involving the school advisor assigned to the student would be cced or directly contacted to ensure that the university is aware that the student is not attending.
I am very sympathetic to the challenges of the adult learner who is working full time with a "life". It is important to remember the challenges are unique and new for this student and not to carry over previous disappointment with student involvement.
Jocelyn Williamson
Thase are great examples that indirectly communicates with the unresponsive student. Utilizing the advisor can increase your chances to reach the student.
I agree in as far as the student is not responding to my offers, however as an instructor I can reach out to the students adviser and let he/she know what is occurring in the classroom and that they may want to contact the student to ascertain what is occurring. Without knowing the reason behind the students lack of response, there is little I can suggest or advise.
I would disagree that there is very little more than I can do. If the student isn't performing well, I can once again offer to help, but this time make sure the student knows that I am offering to help because the grade they have earned thus far indicates that they do indeed need help and that they need to take advantage of it in order to pass the class. Additionally, I could always contact the student's advisor, alerting them to my concerns over the student's performance.
An online instructor can only do so much. First, student participation must be outlined in the course syllabus. Second, the instructor must monitor the course discussions and hold students responsible for non-participation. Third, the instructor must contact students who are not meeting the requirements set forth in the syllabus. Finally, the instructor can only do so much, just as in a traditional classroom setting, if a student refuses to participate, the student must face the consequences of their inaction.
Katrena ,
It is sad when you get students like this. It is still our responsibility to attempt to reach them and get them reconnected to the online classroom, but as you indicate, sometimes there are forces at play that we cannot overcome and we are still not successful. As long as we have tried all we can to reach them.
Herbert Brown III
Katrena ,
I like how you are connecting with them through multiple mechanisms. Many times it is easy for them to ignore your emails, but if you can get through to them via phone, text, etc. you have a better chance to reach the struggling student and get them the help they need to succeed.
Herbert Brown III
Jennifer, I agree that we all lose students. I have had so many students who outright discussed that heir motivation for attending school was because of the "financial overage check". Student's who typically start school for the wrong reason show a lack of motivation to succeed in the course. I always remind them that the money they are received has to be paid back regardless but even this is sometimes not successful at capturing their attention and they still decide to not participate and/or complete work.
Katrena Taylor-Springs
If an online student does not respond to my offer to help there is a lot that I can and I should do. The process of identifying and reaching out to at risk students differ from school to school but each process typically involves, reaching out to the student via email, phone, and personal message through the classroom. I would be sure to be specific in telling students what to do and how to do it in order to improve their status in the online class. It is also required at many schools that online instructors submit concerns that typically alert the student's advisor regarding his/her participation and then the advisor makes an effort to reach our to the student. Students are more likely to respond and be receptive to the contact with they are contacting my multiple means in the classroom.
Katrena Taylor-Springs
I think it depends on the situation. I have had many instances (depending on the school) where I have reached out to students and laid out all instructions for them and they still feel I have not done my job. Sometimes, I think it is the student. They want instructors to hold their hands when in case they have overlooked something and/or are frustrated. Sometimes, when you have communicated effectively to students and they do not respond for your help there is nothing else you can do. In the long run; they end of learning the hard way. Lastly, I think it sometimes take that completing the class over and/or making sure they communicate with their instructors in order to be successful.
I disagree. A student can be contacted by phone or by Student Affairs advisor by phone in effort to show the university cares and to engage the student in the course.
I disagree. I could ask one of the student's peers to try and reach out to the student and see if that will make a difference. Additionally, perhaps a tutor might be able to reach the student or an advisor whom the student has a close relationship with. These are all additional options to try before giving up on the student.
Jeannine Wieland
Terry,
I agree, we should do everything in our power as instructors to reach the struggling online student. Oftentimes, that extra little effort to reach a student is enough to pull them back in to the course and make them successful.
Herbert Brown III
I just had an incident about this very subject this weekend. I emailed the student twice a week (Weeks 3-6), called 3x and when she did turn in half hearted homework, I commented about grade and help. It wasn't until the last week (Week 6), when I commented about her not passing, that she final called, texted ands emailed me. Mind you, I emailed and commented about her "possibly" not passing in the previous weeks. She was very desperate and reworked her Project but was not enough points.
After a call, 5 texts and 1 email, she is still going to fail but she wants to retake me and if she doesn't get me, I offered help and she was appreciative...made a real connection. Too bad it was not in a more timely manner.
The moral of the story...you can email, call and advice student counselor along with lead instructors, if the student does not take the time to make the call or text or email that is on them.
I do not agree. Over the past 10 years as an online instructor, this situation has come up in almost every class. When it happens I have several items that I use to address the situation:
1. I contact the academic advisor for help.
2. I call and email the student and offer to set up time to discuss over the phone.
3. I meet with my manager to figure out an action plan.
I find that more often than not these students are just feeling like they cannot complete the class and do not have the resources they need.
John,
It is great that you have access to a personal counselor in your program. I typically have to do it all myself; however, the more I connect with the student and try to communicate with them, I can usually reach them and help them. If they want to be helped.
Herbert Brown III
I disagree with the statement. As an instructor, your challenge is develop your students even when they do not think they need the assistance. One method that I have found useful in my time as an instructor is to involve the student's counselor in the efforts. Students will typically share more with their "personal" counselor than they will with an instructor that they may only spend a few weeks with.
John Lofton
Lisa,
It seems all you can do is what you have done. There are times that students do not want to be reached and you certainly can't show up on their doorstep. It is our job to make every effort; however, the student has to want to be helped as well.
Herbert Brown III
When the student does not want your help. First thing is contact the student academic advisor, we can start a combine plan of attack, by emails and phone calls.
I had a case that I called and I was able to chat with "the wife" and that worked.
For me the end comes when there is silent for more than 5 days...at that point no calls have been returned, emails are not answer.
The last resource strategy is texting them. Somehow the more impersonal touch of the phone with no voice will allow a student to let us know what is going on.
Virginia
