There are equal weights of responsibilities on instructors for online versus traditional classrooms, but the responsibility differ in how they are handled. In some online courses, for example, course content is already developed. Therefore, the instructor would not have to develop lesson plans or deliver the course content to the students like they might do in a traditional environment. However, the instructor's responsibility in an online setting has the same goals to reach the students.
The shift, therefore, moves from a focus on developing and delivering the subject matter to enforcing what is presented and facilitating each students course development. In a sense, an online course does not involve instruction as much as it involves facilitating course content.
I believe the responsibility we have to our students online is equal to and even greater than those on ground. Students on ground may causally encounter an instructor on campus and get questions answered. Online students do not have this opportunity. Casual feedback also takes place more frequently on ground.
I agree because it takes on a more demanding role for the instructor. He/she needs to be more attentive to the students needs and also realize that when students don't participate or reply to emails that were sent out by the instructor can be an indicator that something may be going on in their personal lives. This tends to indicate a possible issue down the road with attrition or even completion of the course.
I absolutely agree. Since you are not Face to Face, the feedback you provide your students should be content-heavy with specific details as to why points are being taken away or why what they did is correct. Feedback needs to be specific and requires a lot more time than an instructor who is teaching in a traditional class setting.
Mr. Brown
I disagree with the statement “Teaching a course online does not equate to the same responsibilities when teaching the same course in a traditional classroom settingâ€. I believe that the instructor’s responsibility, which is to provide instruction and support to ensure positive learning outcomes for the student is the same online and on-ground.
However, I do believe the procedures, tasks, and efforts required to fulfill that responsibility are different. Online classes require intense monitoring and follow-up with students. Maintaining presence is an ongoing process throughout the week. Student outreach is more involved because there is no face-to-face interaction.
Debra
Herbert: There are differences in teaching online compared to campus. For campus teachers, there is a responsibility to be on campus where there is generally more time responsibility to be in the classroom face-to-face with the students. This happens more often during a term compared to the responsibility of an online teacher. On virtual campuses, there may not be a need to be in a live chat or real-time discussion as often. However, the two have their benefits and setbacks depending on the particular situation. Mostly, I have found that both are almost balanced outside of travel time, automobile gas expenses, and other expenses such as food when away from home. Some things require more responsibility for online teaching and others for campus. In some cases, online has more demanding ones and more often such as continued education and development.
I agree - I think teaching online involves more than just teaching. We have the responsibility of monitoring student learning and encouraging students who are not as involved as they need to be, and we need to reach out to them on a daily basis.
Herbert,
I have 17 years teaching experience, the last 4 of which are heavily online, and due to the tons of typing required and student outreach most schools require now, teaching on ground is far easier.
Sincerely,
Vince
I agree with Andrea, the responsibility is the same, but the method differs.
However, just as we encourage students to have a realistic expectation about the level of effort an online course requires, instructors also need to be aware of the differences in preparation and execution between the two course formats.
I've found online courses require much more preparation time to ensure the course environment works properly. For courses in which discussion posts are the primary means of communication, I find I spend a lot of time making sure my response communicates precisely and positively, this is more time-intensive than a quick response in a traditional classroom.
In a sense teaching online does have an additional responsibility - the instructor must be willing to embrace the online environment and its time intensive nature.
Following the processes of teaching in person online is very similar. The expectations have to be very clear to the students as well as consistent.
I agree. You don't have the students in front of you so you can see what you get. Oneline you just have to do some more digging.
John ,
Interesting. Is this a regular problem for you? Can you think of anything else you could do to clarify the questions or phrases?
Herbert Brown III
John ,
Interesting. Is this a regular problem for you? Can you think of anything else you could do to clarify the questions or phrases?
Herbert Brown III
Sometimes i have encounterd a language barrier so by rewording the question or phrase has been helpful in over coming this obstacle.
John ,
What are some ways that you have been successful addressing their learning styles in an online course, or if you are not teaching online, how you might address that in an online course?
Herbert Brown III
I agree that teaching is a collaborative activity. The instructor must make a commitment to each student and address them in their different learning styles to help them be successful.
I believe the same responsibilities are present within a classroom whether online or face-to-face. In fact the ability to achieve the same responsibilities in my perspective is ore difficult online. Without the tone, facial expressions, physical attendance, or routine conversations it is highly more difficult to ascertain were attention is needed to best prepare the student for completing measures of adequate comprehension – tests. Distance learning requires a higher level of responsibility per the student to be vocal about any lack of understanding. In addition, a higher level of responsibility for the instructor as well, as we still must attempt to ascertain were assistance is needed even to consider the multitude of barriers such as the types of learners which become more detrimental to manage over distance.
Ligia,
That is a good point. We do need to help motivate students in education. How do you do that in the online classroom? It is hard enough at times in a traditional classroom and it can be that much more difficult for online classrooms.
Herbert Brown III
The Professor have to motivate students to actively participate in all aspects of the educational process,threaded class discussions, outside assignments,projects, research, activities etc.
Since I only teach online I could only speculate and just by reading the question, I wanted to disagree. However I did gain quite a bit of knowledge by reading thru this thread and seeing the responses of those that have taught both in the classroom and online.
