Get Your Students Hired
Emry,
but, don't you think "instant" can get us in trouble sometimes? I agree though that we need to provide students with the resources they need to reach the learning outcomes. We use SafeAssign which is like TurnItIn. Thanks for your input.
Ms. Crews:
One of the great advantages to teaching in the online environment are the instant availability of resources that are available to the Instructor, which can only be of benefit to learners in the course. It is important to make students aware of other supporting websites by adding links in Announcements, Discussion feedback, and even e-mails.
In the beginning of my courses, I send an e-mail to all students regarding the use of plagiarism in the course, and the importance of grammar/spell checking before submissions. Within the e-mail, I include links to three websites - these are free to everyone, and you can submit a document that will be check immediately. (Turnit.com is one of the easiest to use for plagiarism!) Within the feedback responses, I often add weblinks that are appropriate to the topic, and written by credible and reliable resources. This encourages students to read all Main Posts and feedback, especially if they are seeking additional information on a topic.
Cheers
Emry
Christopher,
The screenshots really help the visual learners and other understand exactly what to do. This eliminates students' questions and allows for more seamless submissions. Thanks!
I have created documents with screenshots of the platform that students use to submit assignments. The instruction clearly outlines where assignments are listed and the area of the course where they should be submitted. I post an announcement and require the student to read and email me to let me know that they understand and to answer any questions.
Stephanie,
Yes, when students know where to start and what they should be doing, they feel more comfortable with the learning environment and stay on track more. Thanks!
I think that this is a great tool. Do you find it provides a better response in information and assignment submissions?
Jay,
When we provide content/documents/information to students in a variety of ways, we are more likely to "hit" all students' learning needs. Thanks!
LE,
Having instructional designers to help develop the courses is great. But, make sure you stay involved to make sure they are designing what you need so that you can teach the way you need to help students achieve the learning outcomes. Thanks!
Our school has a course development group that handles a lot of the development work. I have found that supplementing the course materials with some recorded Video presentations are quite useful. I record short explanations or examples of how to work specific problems that the students will encounter in their homework. These are like short tutoring sessions if the student gets stuck or just wants additional clarification about how to solve a problem.
There are multiple documents that I provide students for additional support regarding the class. The first document consists of my course expectations. It outlines late penalties, academic integrity expectations, how to submit assignments in the Learning Management System, as well as how to post discussion boards. I provide screen shots which give students a visible representation on how to conduct these tasks. In addition, students have access to the technical support telephone number and e-mail.
Donald,
Any documentation and resources you can provide the students, the better. If you can provide "technology support" documents for navigating the new virtual campus, this may help as well. Thanks!
Donald,
It can be frustrating, but we have to keep working to help all students no matter what the students' motivation may be. Thanks for working with all students.
I agree with you that most students are really interested in passing the course. I have found that students are most interested in the understanding the perspective needed to do the assignments in an effective manner. I have found few students who just want to do well enough to pass.
Donald L. Buresh
I provide students with a variety of online documents, where some of these documents help them with the course itself, while other documents are concerned with the technology in particular. The issue facing most students right now is how to navigate the new virtual campus. What I try to do is to be available to my students when these are experiencing issues with the virtual campus. I confess that I am experiencing a modicum of success in this area.
Donald L. Buresh
Sueanne ,
Proactive communication is essential. It's so much easier to provide information up front rather then deal will miscommunication later. Thanks for bringing your list to us.
Sarah,
Announcements are a way to provide important information to students. Any technical resources you can provide will be beneficial. Thanks!
I use several methods. I am very proactive in posting announcements to provide the students what they need to know and reduce the volume of repetitive emails.
1) An Introduction video is provided
2) Announcements are posted on what the student needs to know for each week (eg objectives, assignments due dates)
3) Announcements are also posted of expectations, and who to contact for what.
4) Based on previous class experience, Announcements are also posted to address known questions and problems or to clarify a specific assignment.
5) I also send an email with documents that detail assignment requirements (eg essay format)
5) I will also scan and email forms and templates from the textbook that are used in working the assignments.
I have found that my Announcements and emails depend on the level of the class. The beginner classes require much more support and information than the advanced classes. Over time I've learned that my time will not be 50-50 between these classes but more 70-30.
I've used announcements on library presentations as well. I agree that's an area that requires technical expertise but we may not always think of it that way.
In announcements about presentations on technical topics I've tried to include what specific benefits in the class will come from using the information in the presentation. For example, a library presentation will help with finding resources and will help with saving time and getting better information or a presentation on submitting assignments will help to reduce the stress in that process and make sure the correct file gets submitted at the correct time.
There can be a lot of technical resources for online classes, especially at the start of the class, so I think it helps to make clear why more technical information or training will be useful.
Merle and Marilyn,
Thanks for continuing the conversation and bringing up the importance of helping students understand and not simply assuming they do. Thanks!
Hello Marilyn....
I also provide students with an announcement that clarifies course expectations. I find that often instructors make the assumption that students understand the expectations and students are sometimes reluctant to ask for clarification. I think that the more information we can supply at the onset, the better prepared the students are likely to become.