I think online has some of the same traditional responsibilities that a on-ground classroom would require, but the maintenance and involvement requires more engagement because there is not a face to associate with.
Rina,
You are right about the goal of being a student centered instructor does not change no matter the format. We need to remember this each time we interact with students either on the ground or online.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I disagree. I don't see that the responsibilities for the teacher change at all. Our methods are different, but we are still trying to reach each and every student and provide them with an education. I have taught courses both online and in the classroom, and notice no difference in responsibilities, only in the way I interact with my students. Actually, in quite a number of my courses, I feel like I get to know the students a little better in that there name, if not their face, is attached to everything that they say and do. In a live classroom environment, if there are enough students, it isn't always possible to get to know everyone. When I email a student in an online course, I speak directly with them, and they speak directly to me. The conversations, I feel, are a bit more personal- one-on-one that is- than answering a question or listening to a response in a live class.
Augustine,
Your analysis is right on in terms of the uniqueness of many online students and how they interact within the course and the instructor. Having an understanding of this will assist in the successful engagement of such individuals.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Michael,
Good point because the environment is different thus the interaction and communication will be different. A well thought out plan for interaction will assist in the successful handling of a disruptive student.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I disagree. I think that teaching a course in an online environment in many cases is more challenging than in a traditional classroom setting because:1) In a traditional classroom setting you can easily identify students who are having problems and handle those problems accordingly, whereas in online environment it is not that easy; 2) In online environment you have to use multiple approach to reach students, whereas in traditional environment that may not the case; 3) Geographical dispersion (multiple time zones) of students can be challenging in online environment, whereas in traditional environment all students are expected to meet in one location at the same time; and 4) Because of the typical cohort of students that prefer online education, many of them have commitments beyond their school work which makes it difficult sometimes for them to concentrate in their school work. However, in traditional environment students have many challenges but not as consequential as those of many online students.
I disagree, the challenges the f2f student present with behavior issues and conflicts are different but still pose the same risk to the rest of the class even if it is online. A disruptive student in a classroom will distract from the class and would need to be addressed to keep the problem from reoccurring. In an online situation the same disruptive student would probably try to interfere with other students chats and this could cause problem or attrition with the students if they were net addressed and resolved. Either way the instructor has the same responsibility to the class, but the response to the problem student is different in the two settings.
Carol,
Good point and one we need to remember when facing the same situation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
