Jay,
Right on. The chunking of information/content is essential. We have to help students get through the material in the timely manner and learn from the interactions through the course and their engagement. Thanks!
I try to leverage multiple forms of communication with the students. I use email to answer specific questions from students. However, I also post multiple announcements weekly and use recorded chat sessions. I also encourage students to send an Instant Message (like a text on our LMS) if I am on line and they have a question. The trick seems to be anticipating questions and getting announcements or explanations in a FAQ to head the questions off. The ability to send an IM seems to relieve a lot of anxiety and I am very responsive to the emails that I do received (usually less than 3 per day.) I also find that students working in a group tend to answer each other's questions before they get to me.
The best way to create a good atmosphere in an efficient and effective manner is to stick to expectations such as responding to student's e-mail within a reasonable period of time (e.g. 1 day response time), set time to be visible in the discussion boards but not feel that every single post should be answered, and to work in chunks throughout the work. If one attempts to do multiple tasks at once, he or she is likely to get frustrated and burn out. Taking breaks can be very beneficial in this process.
Cyndy,
Accountability is a big deal for students and for instructors. We have to both be in this together. It is important to let students know you'll keep up "your side of the bargain," but they have to keep up their side as well. Thanks!
Donald,
Anything we can do to help students get to know each other and work cooperatively, the better. Thanks for your input.
The most helpful thing I can do is .... Do what I said.... hold the student accountable, be compassionate, yet firm, but most important is if the student is willing to learn, than assist to make this happen. Example, If I truly feel a student would benefit from a "redo" of an assignment, and they are willing to five it a second go, then this develops the student and not just criticize the student's performance. The action often times can assist in student self esteem and in the long run, it is very helpful in the process of learning.
In my opinion, courtesy oils the wheels of civilization. In my opinion, it is the beast way to promote collaboration because it puts people at ease. When an individual is relaxed, it is easier to cooperate with others.
Donald L. Buresh
Stephanie,
I agree that we all need a break. We want to try and prevent becoming a 24-7 instructor. Making sure our students know when we will be checking email and discussion boards, etc. is essential as well. Thanks for your input.
I just read all the posts in this forum, and am not surprised but find it interesting on the different approaches to how often an instructor is online and should be online. I take Saurdays off. My personal opinion is that you have to take a break and recharge your batteries. All the other days of the week I'm online, checking email and discussion boards once nightly. It is good for the students to be responsive but you also have to think of your own well being. Other full time positions get weekends off (though sometimes you work overtime in that). An expectation to be on teaching 7 days a week is unrealistic and unhealthy. Whatever day you choose, take 1 day off. The students do understand.
Thomas ,
Taking a day off helps us all revitalize. You have a system that's working for you. Thanks for sharing it with us.
I used to only work in the classrooms 3-4 times per week, but now I try to work in the classrooms mon - wed in smaller intervals and then just do a brief check on Sundays before the week starts. Saturday's I take off all day :-)
Tom
Traci,
Excellent. Students need to know when we are going to check email, the LMS, discussion board, etc. Giving them the 24 hour rule is good too. Some say 24-48 hours, but whatever your "rule" is, stick with it and communicate the rule. Thanks for your input.
I try very hard to make sure my students know that I am accessible to them as much as possible and I always reply to emails and voicemails within 24 hours if not sooner.
Stacy,
It's good to have a presence and let students know when you will be checking email and the LMS. When instructors develop that timeline for communication and interaction, it helps the students ask questions in a timely manner and the response to be timely as well. Thanks for your input.
Hello, everyone.
I try to spend some amount of time in classrooms daily so students will experience my presence. I will post general discussion questions and select certain students' posts to provide feedback on. I will also try to direct students to other students' posts so they can begin a level of interaction. I have found that this isn't very overwhelming for me, and in actuality, these preliminary reviews make my grading process easier because I've already reviewed some of the students' submissions.
George,
There always seems to be things we need to let the students know or things we need to direct their attention to. Your bring up many good points for us to consider. Thanks for your input.
I believe that the instructor should be in the virtual classroom daily. In that regard, announcements can be used to ensure that the students are informed of expectations, to guide them where they go with the assignments (I post jump start lists of references), and to present “nice to know†information on subjects that include what is happening in the field of study. Information can also be provided which can enhance what they “know†about a topic in addition to material provided in the text. Call the latter “handouts.â€
Students can e-mail the instructor concerning topics they would like to discuss in chats. I have found that this involvement in course content on the part of the student really fires them up. I have also allowed students to present on topics for a portion of a live chat session.
I include a blog of sorts in the classroom as an additional discussion board forum. I call it the “Coffee Shoppe.†Students use it to ask questions of me as well as their peers, share information or merely socialize.
Katherine,
Short and sweet - nothing wrong with that. The example you provide serves as an excellent example of what students need to do. That's modeling at it's best. Thanks.
Janis,
Up to a certain point is what we need to communicate with our students. Don't make yourself a 24/7 instructor, but set those times/day you can/will communicate with students. Thanks for your input.
Make yourself available.
I will take calls all day up to a certain point - when I go to bed!
I make myself available for live phone calls or emails by checking daily.
Jan
