Get Your Students Hired
I disagree as we are delivering the same content and learning outcomes in both the face-to-face and online versions of the course. I also, just spent 8 hours in training that supports that they are the same.
Letitia,
It is certainly a commitment to do it right. If you are using an LMS/CMS the system tracks what the user has done or not done, but you are correct, to teach an online course correctly you need to be "present" in the course and active yourself.
Herbert Brown III
Hi Herbert,
It is much tougher teaching online. Face to face you can manage the classroom better because you are able to know who is/isn't participating or who is/ins't being respectful. Online, you have to consistently be present daily to ensure that everyone is participating, engaged and completing assignments.
Teaching online or in a traditional classroom setting have similar and different responsibilities. You're able to assess a learners tone by content of response in discussion questions through verbal and written communication. Granted in a classroom setting you experience body language and gestures. Whereas online you have to imagine, for example, when on a phone call you know if a person is smiling or having a good day by their tone or pitch. Response time is very different when learners are in a classroom setting vs online. Instructors are able to provide feedback right then and their, when online learners may have to wait 24-48 hours.
I think they hold the same responsibilities. The instructor in either situation is responsible for the success of each of his or her students.
I think the responsibility is the same.
It is still an instructors responsibility to create an environment and provide material and instruction for students to meet the learning objectives of the course.
The responsibility is the same the methods to reach the end result are different.
Adjusting to the online environment is a challenge for all instructors and students.
Preparation for the online environment is key.
Lealan,
One thing in distance education is constant ... CHANGE. It summed it up very well. I change elements of what I do every semester. I seldom do the same thing for more than 1-2 semesters. Tools change, student demographics change, the trick is to stay up with the change. It is possible, but can take a lot of time and effort. I get bored easy, so it is the field for me!
Herbert Brown III
Hello,
I've been teaching online classes since 2007, and have a Masters in Distance Education. I can say, even with that experience, things change a great deal, so it's important to keep up in the field. For example, sometimes what is done for several years changes, based on students' needs. Instructors must keep up. I think the way I teach online classes is quite different than I teach my oncampus courses as well as the ones I taught online 6 years ago; I'm required to give more information now, log in more frequently, etc. Overall, the changes have been quite beneficial in terms of increasing communication between instructors and students. Thanks for all your insight, I enjoyed reading your posts.
Lealan
I think that the responsibilities for teaching are the same no matter what the setting is: to facilitate the learning process during the course of the term.
The challenges for the instructor are different based on the setting especially with communicating. In an online class the classroom is usually built by the school so the instructor must become familiar with the material being covered, unlike in a traditional classroom the instructor prepares the lectures and material for each session.
Communication is also more challenging since everything is documented in the online setting the instructor must be very careful with the tone and verbiage used since facial expressions and body language are not a part of the online communication.
I think the responsibilities for online and on campus are quite coincident. As I see it, the differences are in the degree of emphasis and focus that may be required. For example, on campus there are set office hours for contact with the instructor. Online, students have continuous access, although in an asynchronous way.
Anthony J Matias
Sabrina,
The form of online you describe is specific to your organization and processes. As you also describe, there are many tools that allow for live web conferencing and interaction that would facilitate these methods and actions.
Herbert Brown III
Teaching an online course does not equate to the same responsibilities in a traditional classroom setting. Online education is great, but Instructors are limited to what they can do. For one, they are unable to engage students during a "live lab." Students listen to a lecture via phone and then ask questions later. While in a Traditional setting, Instructors/Professors lecture and ask students' questions instead of waiting for the students' to ask a question. Lastly, there is no face-to-face interaction while teaching online other than hearing an Instructor's voice via phone. Hopefully, online Instructors will have the capability to do Web Conferencing so that students and Instructor can see each other. I think web conferencing would increase engagement participation.
Sabrina S.
I disagree; the Responsibilities’ are the same even though adjustments are needed. I'm still responsible for maintaining a learning environment.
Jennifer,
I can say your final statement is ABSOLUTELY true! I have seen many students drop just for this reason or technical problems. Sometimes it can even be a smaller issues when they are on the "edge".
Herbert Brown III
I find that while many of the responsibilities are the same, others are greater in the online environment. It is important to be available to students both in and out of the classroom, but with online, you need to be "present" every day because you don't know when a student will have a question and needs your help. If a student is considering withdrawing from the class or school, not getting feedback in a timely manner could be just the thing that causes them to withdraw.
I agree with teaching online and on ground are not the same. The responsibilities differ by mode of communication, face-to-face interactions, accessiblity and racial disparity.
I agree with this statement. Training a course online, depending on the material and the course, can be more difficult to teach online.
When you are in a traditional setting and have the chance to see students face to face then points can be made quicker, questions can be answered right when they come up, and sometimes feedback is quicker.
Teaching online takes some time to adjust to, but once an instructor figures out how to best fit into the online environment then they get into a groove and can really excel for the students.
I disagree. I teach both online and face to face and I find online more challenging. In order to engage the students, you have to spent more time on line, providing feedback and introducing new ideas on a daily basis.
I Disagree, I think it actually means a higher level of responsibility to ensure you and the students are connected and communicating throughout the course. Not being able to see the students means that you don't always know where the student is at mentally and emotionally so it important to keep in touch.
-Lance
Pennie,
If you are teaching both traditional and online students do you find that the online group is typically more engaged in the learning as you are or if the traditional is more engaged, or about the same? I have personally found that I get a real dichotomy in my classes. I have the students that are really engaged and exciting and work beyond my expectations. They also appreciate the online format for convenience. And then the other group is there because of the convenience but there are underlying tones that they expect it to be a little easier than a traditional course.
Herbert Brown III