Very good idea in terms of creating templates. Templates are not only useful to responding to students in an efficient manner to reduce workloads, templates can also be developed to address frequent writing errors in your formative feedback.
Phyllis Gooden
Thomas,
What is included in your templates? This information would be interesting to share and discuss with others. Thanks!
Over the years I have developed templates for my course design, include lectures and power points that are simple and bandwidth friendly.
I have also developed rubrics for my assignments and feedback phases based on those rubrics that are easily expanded as needed for a student's assignments.
Alan,
When students understand how long it may take them to complete an assignment/project, it's very helpful to them. I'm sure the time management form is helpful as well. Would love to see it.
I have created a sample time management form which includes time for family, work, community, and provides a guide as to how much time is needed for reading, library research, live chats, and assignments.
The students also have access to a blank form so they can develop their own time management form.
Beth,
Ahh - you are so right! We don't want to spoon feed the students, but give them appropriate criteria so they can understand the expectations and move forward toward the learning outcomes. Thanks!
I have found that there is a fine line between giving them information and giving them TOO much information. Overall, the engaged students will read the DBs, announcements, emails, etc. I also send the grading rubrics to their personal and school emails in addition to posting them on the Course Home page and covering them in class chats. Templates are also provided. However, invariably, many students do not follow the template, read the full assignment, offer their opinions (no research) for the assignment questions and otherwise fail to follow directions. So while there is more than enough information posted, there is little to no attention being paid to the information!
Daniel ,
Try the Frequently Asked Questions discussion board. Tell student to post all questions about the course there so that all students may benefit from the questions and answers. This helps reduce email overload. Thanks!
Weeding out superfluous or peripheral information that requires my attention. Too many of the emails and requests for response are often of a minor or unrelated nature e.g. for f/t faculty. I have been working diligently to turn down the volume of white noise and extraneous information that detracts from my purpose - to deliver a content rich experience in the online setting.
Dr. Campagna
Barbara,
The announcements and all the communication we do with students help them understand the course content better. The Word document you discuss is excellent as well. This will benefit students. Nice job.
As other people have mentioned, I have a set of announcements, discussion board posts, and articles that allow me to use some of this information in new classes. I also have a Word document filled with feedback regarding common errors students make throughout the clourse.
Barb Bucur
Cristy,
You are right. We have to keep our skill up to date and work to manage the course information as best we can. Thanks for your input.
As an online instructor, you have to have Information Management Skills. It is important that you be familiar with the LMS system that you are using and learn ways to increase your IS knowledge.
Lawrence,
Templates help instructor provide necessary components. If they also help you organize your time, that's great. Don't let them stifle your creativity though. Thanks for your input.
What information management skills have you developed as an online instructor?
Templates are very useful to be able to efficiently respond to students, provide grading feedback, and generally manage my time. In addition, I have learned to organize my time better by creating spreadsheets and time tracking tools.
James,
Dropbox is a great tool. I use it a lot more when I'm using my iPad, but I can see where it would be handy no matter what. Thanks for your input.
I have been using Dropbox so I can have access anywhere.
I have found it to be more useful than Google Drive.
Anthony,
Sounds like you are a planner. This is good. We do have to plan ahead (as do the students) and not procrastinate. Knowing your technology is also a good thing. Thank you.
The information management skills that I have developed includes 1) preparing and testing the technology well in advance of live chats; 2) having a consistent time and day set to respond to DB posts, grade assignments, etc. 3) respond and review emails daily.
I also like to ensure that I have all the tools ready to provide feedback to students in a timely manner. For example, making sure that your browsers are working properly, that my laptop has sufficient memory to handle the technology used, that the mics are working properly, testing out e-books to make sure they are accessible, etc.
Stephanie,
Short videos work well, but accompanying text (written docs) are helpful. It's OK to keep them both to help student reach the learning outcomes. Nice job.
