Tena Crews

Austin,

We do have to be careful to post relevant resources and not just some we find interesting. We do not want to distract the students. Good point. Thanks.

Austin Umezurike

I think that posting unrelated websites could be distracting to students. I post links related to the topic and also refer students to you tube videos

Tena Crews

roger,

Excellent. I have found some online instructors provide way too many "extra" documentations and then the students get confused on which links/documents/etc. they "have" to review and which ones are "extra." Thanks for your input.

Roger Urban

I do provide web links periodically. I don't overdo it, and only inform students of them when it is pertinent to what we are covering in class. There are a lot of diversions screaming for students attention so it's important to keep your focus when providing web links.

There are a number of lessons for the discussion boards with links in them, and the students have assignments based on those links. Once in awhile I have to step in and corral the students from taking wrong turns on those links and get them back on topic.

Tena Crews

Tasha and Jodi,

Extra resources are good for students. We just have to make sure they understand they are supplemental and not required. Some students think with any link that they must absorb the information for testing purposes. Clear communication is key. Thanks for your input.

Tasha Brown

Jodi,

I also provide additional links as well. Typically just one or two to help supplement. I am also a big fan of using current events, given the fact that I teach in the Social Sciences. I have found that pulling something recent from the media has been a great way for students to better ingest the concepts that we are studying!

T. Brown

Tena Crews

LaShanta and Jodi,

Thanks for your input and continuing the conversation. Using video links and other resources for students can provide them with excellent information to help them further understand concepts.

LaShanta singleton

Jodi,
I like to use links when possible for additioanl resource. I like to use video links that pertain to the subject at hand and not something that may contridict the leasson plan we are following.

LSingleton

Tena Crews

Jeanice and Jodi,

It's great when students help their peers. We learn so much from others, just as we are in these postings, and students learn from their peers all the time as well. Thanks!

Jeanice Porta

I agree with you, Jodi. I do this and I'm pretty amazed at how many students share web links with their fellow students. It makes me think that they have put additional effort into the discussion/project/whatever it may have been.

Tena Crews

James,

You are right. When we overload the course with links here and there, they may not be organized or students may think they have to access them all and it can get confusing and distracting. Thanks.

James Beal

I do this too. I view it as an "extra" converstation one would have with a class in a brick in mortar environment.

However too many links can be distracting.

Tena Crews

Dori,

Additional links/information students can use can be very helpful to students. It is important to let students know if they are general resources for their use if they need it or whether they are links to help with a specific assignment/project, etc. Thanks for your input.

Dori Waddington

I do provide links for students, but this is typically in our discussion boards. In fact, we are required to use two links per week in the discussion threads. Usually, this leads to additional discussions and more in depth conversations.

Tena Crews

Jodi,

There are some students who want the additional information to heighten their learning, but sometimes when there are too many links, the students may feel overwhelmed to think all links are just there for extra resources and not pay attention to the link they must use. There is a fine line. Thanks for your input.