Monica,
The seven principles do help us, as online instructors, think carefully about what we are asking students to do and how we are providing feedback and establishing professional relationships. Thanks!
I feel the 7 strategies can increase students’ submission rates and improve their overall academic success rates.
Due to the on-line environment it’s important for the instructor to make their presence known by being available and accessible to assist the students’ needs. This can be accomplished by frequent student outreach via email and or phone calls. In addition the student feedback should be timely and include relevant subject matter to help the student gain a better understanding of the material. The feedback should also encourage and motivate the students to continue to strive for excellence.
The expectations should be available to the students not only via the syllabus; the instructor should communicate the expectations via announcements and emails to create student accountability.
Another aspect to consider is the students’ learner styles. Sometimes the instructor will have to utilize various scaffolding tools to help the learner gain a better understanding of the coursework requirements.
Steve,
As we follow Chickering and Gamson's principles, I think we consider the components of teaching and learning more carefully. As online instructors, we want our students to succeed and work to facilitate that. Thanks!
Chickering and Gamson's principles encourage a learning environment that encourages students to be active learners and ensures that time spent is efficient for both learners and instructors.
Frequent and timely communication between faculty and students removes one of the key barriers to success in online education - the accountability component. Students are more likely to succeed if they know there is a caring person on the other end to the internet who is invested in their success. In many of my classes I call each student at the beginning of class. That may be the only time I ever speak to them, but it seems to help students understand that someone cares and that there is some social accountability as well.
Efficiency is addressed by timely feedback and providing multiple modes for delivering content. Students need to receive feedback on their work so they can improve upcoming assignments. They also need access to content that fits their unique learning styles.
Wayne,
We do have to stop the myth about online courses are easier than F2F courses. That's so wrong. Thanks for your input.
While the Chickering and Gamson’s seven principles for good practice apply in all educational situations, they address several misconceptions that students (and firs-time faculty) may have concerning the online environment.
Many students think of online courses as “Education Light†or because there may be no required weekly meeting that it course work is something that can just be fitted around the “Important†things in their schedule. By emphasizing time on task, high expectations, the principles flow naturally into the other important factor expressed therein.
For students to benefit, they must engage in learning activities, collaboration with the instructor and fellow students and exercise frequent communication options with the instructor.
Thomas,
You are so right that learning is a journey. So is teaching! ;-) Thanks!
I incorporate it into my expectations paper so they understand how I teach and facilitate the classroom. I also emphasis that learning is a journey that the instructor and students take together.
Austin,
The Chickering and Gamson's principles definitely make us, as online instructors, think carefully about how we teach. Thanks for your input.
Implementing Chickering and Gamson's seven principles for good practice in education insures that we have effective communication, make frequent contact with students, provide feedbacks and maintain overall presence in the classroom.
Faith ,
Good. The good practice principles help us think carefully about our teaching and helping the students improve. Thanks!
I have not tried it either, but it is a great idea. I have adult students that are very busy and I want to help them focus on the good practices that will help everyone.
Michael,
These principles give us a great idea of what all we should be thinking about as we move forward in our teaching.
Thanks for your input.
Implementing them in a course gives students new to the online learning environment a place to start -- with such guidelines posted and implemented, students will hopefully feel comfortable and confident.
revonna,
Ha! I love that song. And, anything that we can relate to in the classroom is great. Take care and thanks for your input in these forums.
revonna and Berrie,
Thanks for sharing your information and adding to the conversation. When you provide feedback to your students, it should help them improve. Being specific and constructive is essential.
revonna,
Right on! These principles help us think about how we teach, interact with students, and provide feedback in the evaluation process. Thanks!
Tena, I think I can relate to that same song, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, brings back memories!!
Berrie, I like your strategy on providing students with feedback on how to improve their score or compliment what they have done, do you find that you able to share this with all students? Do you see students' improvements when you have suggested and identified areas to improve? Thanks for sharing.
How does implementing Chickering and Gamson's seven principles for good practice in education improve your online course? Personally, it helps me to improve my teaching and learning skills. I can provide feedback promptly to students on discussions, and assignments by rubrics for all assignments and papers. In addition to facilitating and participating in discussion board forums and team assignments. I certainly try to encourage my students in active learning by providing positive feedback on assignments and even answering emails.
