As an insructor I try to help students from dropping my class by going the extra mile by allowing them more time to submit the assignment if the student communicates with me. Some students e-mail me at the last minute than tells me that they do not understand what I am looking for.
I would tend to agree with you that online classes are more challenging because of the lack of face to face interaction. Online the instructor really doesn't have a clue if the student is understanding the subject matter if the student doesn't ask questions. Face to face all you have to do is see it on a students face the "?" above the eyebrows and you may try to explain it in a more simplier manner. Online many students don't ask because that don't want to ask a stupid question.
It is true that being an online student is easier because of the flexibility, but that sometimes will get you in trouble if you do not have the self disciple to insure you keep up with the class. Sometimes you fell that you can fall a little behind and then try to catch up and find yourself so far behind that you end up either failing the class or dropping it so it will noe affect your GPA.
Yes, it probably does take time to get used to being an online student--just like it takes time to adjust to being an online teacher. So, for those of you that are new to online teaching--hang in there!
Thanks for your comments Chris.
Mrs. Ernst, I agree with you. Being an online student is somewhat easier because of the flexibility. It took a while to get use to but I truly enjoy online courses as a student.
I agree that being able to see students gives you one more tool to identify a struggling student (although that doesn't always work). But in terms of attrition, because online learning is a great deal more flexible and students can log in whenever it works throughout the week, sometimes students can stay in an online class when they would have to drop a residential class.
