Vimlarani,
Right on! Time plus energy equals learning. That time and energy is a combination between the instructor and students. Thanks for your input.
Vimlarani,
I like your statement about "many roads lead to learn." We need to travel those many roads and help students travel at their own pace, but end up reaching the objectives. Nice job.
The advantages are:
1. Frequent student-faculty contact in and out of class is a most important factor in student motivation and involvement.
2. Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort than a solo race.
3. Students do not learn much just sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments, and spitting out answers.
4. In getting started, students need help in assessing their existing knowledge and competence.
5. Time plus energy equals learning.
6. Expecting students to perform well becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
7. Many roads lead to learning. Different students bring different talents and styles to college.
The advantages are:
1. Frequent student-faculty contact in and out of class is a most important factor in student motivation and involvement.
2. Learning is enhanced when it is more like a team effort than a solo race.
3. Students do not learn much just sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments, and spitting out answers.
4. In getting started, students need help in assessing their existing knowledge and competence.
5. Time plus energy equals learning.
6. Expecting students to perform well becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
7. Many roads lead to learning. Different students bring different talents and styles to college.
Vivian ,
Great. These principles certainly make us think about what we are doing and how we are delivering content, feedback, assignments, etc. to students.
I think implementing the seven principles improves my online course in that they aid in student retention. I know from experience when my students know that I am visible in cyber world, they feel at ease knowing that I will respond to their questions promptly whether via email or phone call. On the first day of a course, I send an email indicating my expectations and I require my students to express their expectations of me. I am especially conscious of diversity and different learning styles. Knowing the different learning styles of students helps me to communicate with them more effectively. I often request that my students exchange contact information and work together.
Berrie,
We do have to work to make the environment more personal and individualized to develop those relationships with students in the online environment. Sounds like you are doing some things to enhance the environment. Thanks!
While I have not attempted to implement the principles yet, I can certainly see how they will help with an online class. I find that the atmosphere tends to be very impersonal. If you have students who are communicative you can see the impact of that interaction with a higher level of participation and quality of work. As I review these principles now, it occurs to me that in many ways they are unwritten in my classes. I send Welcome emails at the start of class with "encouragement to make contact with questions"; "emphasis the participation in discussions"; and "emphasis the due dates of assignments". As I grade each assignment I try to give feedback on how to improve the score or compliment what they have done.
Loriann,
The one-on-one communication you talk about can be so effective in the online classroom. Thanks for bringing this up. Your posting gives us things to think about. Thanks!
Practicing good principles in education is an important part of being an instructor. There are may avenues that can be taken in order to apply the good principles into effect. I make a point to speak with my students one on one and ask them about their educational goals. I also reach out my students who seem to have some difficulty with the course or miss class frequently by utilizing outreach methods. I advise my students about career opportunities in the healthcare field. I do share information with my students on my past experiences, the importance of having attitudes, and values with students.
David,
Measuring success comes in many fashions. It may be success for a particular students to post on the discussion board and voice his/her opinion. Others may be successful if they earn an A or B on a project or assignment. Spontaneity can occur with a posting on the discussion board to bring up a conversation about questions that are arising from several students or expanding on comments left by students or a "guest speaker," etc. It's good to try. Thanks for your input.
Hello,
Spontaneity in an online environment seems to be difficult. How would this actually present itself in practice? Would this be a “spontaneous†article posting or announcement? More importantly how would this make someone successful? Are we also defining successful as determined by student evaluations? Is that the best measure?
On the other hand I do see several other points that are more easily modeled such as sharing personal and professional experiences, being self-motivated, and having good written communication skills.
Donald,
RESPECT (reminds me of a song) is essential in teaching and learning. So glad you brought it up.
Thanks!
The Chickering and Gamson seven principles are essentially fair. They assume that individuals are in control of their own behavior and their own learning. In my mind, it is a matter of respect. The principles allow for effective communication because they state the principles that are instructors and students should and ought to adhere to. It seems perfectly logical to me.
Donald L. Buresh
Katherine,
Any time the instructor is engaging in the learning process, it serves as a good role model for the students. Nice job.
It engages the students with the instructor more. It does this by showing more instructor involvement in the course. I believe the more the students feel the instructor cares about them and their education the more invoved they are with the class.
Robert,
Glad you are learning from these forums. We all continue to provide great information to each other.
Thanks!
That's a good idea that I haven't tried. Most of my announcement information is in the open area and if very important it is in individual emails. Occasionally I'll use the DB if the information is course related.
Robert,
Good place to put the information. Do you also put it in your syllabus?
Thanks!
I publish it at the start of the course in the announcement area. Since learning is a collaborative effort they deserve to see expectations I place on myself as well as them.
