Use of telephone…
One of the quiz questions was to call students via telephone to introduce myself (instructor) and to provide a course overview to student.
Does anyone do take this approach? I personally never thought to do so since I facilitate 3-4 courses per term thus usually have an average of 100+ students (this would be impractical…)
What is your view?
Regina,
Right on. The course content, length of course, number of students, etc. all play a key role. Thanks.
The size of one's course(s) certainly would determine if he or she could call each student individually.
At one of the institutions where I teach, I usually complete these introductions and course overviews during our first online live chat, where all students can hear my voice and have the opportunity to communicate with me as they would over the phone.
However, at another institution, where I teach online GED preparation courses, I call each new student to introduce myself. During the phone conversation, I tell them to check their email because I email them a link to recorded video where I introduce the online platform and course navigation tools. After watching the recorded video, they can always email or call me with questions.
Aubrie and Rolando,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. It is good you have found a system that works for you. Thanks.
Rolando,
I am in the same situation. Calling students is not efficient.
Instead, we utilize a messaging and announcement tool that allows us to send students individual messages.
Angela,
At the beginning of classes many times students "don't know what they don't know" and they have no questions because they don't know what to ask. Many times it is effetive to give helpful hints and make them think about things and then they will have questions. Thanks for your input in this forum.
This was a requirement for a school I previously worked with. When you have multiple courses, it is very hard to manage. I found that most students failed to provide a working number or would let voicemail answer their calls. I would typically reach only 5 - 10% of the students I contacted.
When the course is just beginning, many students do not have questions. Some have worked with advisers that have provided knowledge and others are just moving through through their program.
I believe a more practical approach would be to contact the student 1/3 - 1/2 way through the course. The personal connection at that point may help a student stay on track.
Melissa,
I totally understand where you are coming from. For some classes, it can be done, but others maybe not. BUT, it can be an option for students who are having issues (not all students) in online classes. Thanks for your input.
Dr. Crews - I agree with James that it is impractical to call all the students at the opening of class as the quiz indicates. Using the phone to address issues makes sense, but I do agree there needs to be a general welcome that has a personalized touch.
Melissa
Michael,
We have to continue to see what works for our students. Each group will be different. Keep trying.
Thanks!
I have used this on a limited bases mainly for encouraging struggling student or students that are not attending. It does help establish a connection with he student. The feedback from student about general communication by phone is that it is not their preferred method. No one calls anymore they just text.
James,
I think many students do want some type of feeling that they are a part of a larger group and not a number. I don't use the phone all the time, but if there are issues, I do.
It is tough to call students before each session begins, I have to many students to take the time and the costs are prohibitive. Quite honestly most students really do not care who you are, they just want to get on with it (the course) and get it done, and therefore unless you have something of great importance to tell them they don't care if they hear from you or not.
Kristin and Rolando,
Thanks for continuing the conversation and using good communications techniques with students. I do think it's a good idea to block the phone number.
Thanks for the ideas.
Hi, Rolando.
Where I teach, use of the telephone is strongly recommended and even required to some extent. Our classes are ten weeks long, so I call every student at least once during the first half of the course, more often if the student is struggling or absent or not understanding the material. Sometimes the call is a simple pat on the back to a good student, which can go a long way.
I don't call every student and introduce myself. That's done in the first synchronous class. However, I have found the phone calls to be very beneficial. Telling a student that he/she is doing a great job is meaningful, provided it's not overdone. Once can be all that's needed there. I've also been able to find out a lot more specific information about why a particular student is having a difficult quarter: personal issues, problems with material in the previous class, lack of comprehension or HW completion, etc.
I do block my home phone number when I call students to protect my privacy. Most of the time, that is not an issue. I can still leave a positive message or one expressing concern and asking a student to shoot me an email or IM.
Rolando,
Providing for some personalized approach is important but the content and number of students play an important part in how you do this. A personalized email or home page may be more practical for large classes.
