Janis,
Do you think students are your "customers"? Students are the product and society is the customer. That doesn't change our commitment to educate them with skills and/or knowledge they need. Since we are "experts" in our field, we have responsibilities to make sure they know even the info/skills they don't even know they need.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is important because your students are your 'customers' and you need to know more about them. This should help you deliver the education that they need and will understand.
Great answer, Melissa.
I bet it is very interesting to teach high school students!
Jan
Dale,
Time management isn't just a problem for online students but with all students. We have to give them tools to use for management. Teaching Outlook to students and making them use a calendar is a start.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dale,
You make a great point about the baseline. It will also help you assess the tools you need to provide these students to make them successful and gauge what may be needed in the future.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Andrea,
I agree with you. It is really important for students to understand good time management, and an time management assessment tool is a good way to get at the root of were the student is at.
Jacinda,
I agree with your thought on having the student be aware of his/her strengths and weakness. It is better for them to discover this on their own before the course starts, rather then having us do it for them.
It is important because we need to understand a base line as to were the student is at. Many of the online students come to this arena with little or no experience in the online environment. Getting a better understanding of were they are at from a skill level perspective, will give us a better idea of how to interact with that particular student. No two students are the same and we must recognize what students need. A self analysis inventory is a good tool for that purpose.
David,
That is true. It is also a way to identify areas that need help and provide students with resources that will individualize learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Like many other instructors, have taught both in-class and online instructions. The ability of students to stay focused in an online course can be difficult should they think the online classes are 'easy'. The ability to have both synchronous (live discussions, etc.) and asynchronous (discussion boards, assignment submissions, etc.) activities relies on their ability/willingness to effectively manage their time. A good self-analysis may help avoid many problems they could face otherwise.
Jacinda,
You are right, it is a great way to identify students' weaknesses and provide them with individualized learning plan with resources provided.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jason,
Thank you for sharing what you teach! Students do need certain skills to be successful for the online environment. You make such an important point regarding this step may not be needed when online courses become the part of the norm. It will be expected without a question raised.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kimberly,
You make a great point. The self analysis does give you information so you can create an individualized help for their weaknesses by using already existing resources. It will allow them to improve not only to be successful in your course but in future courses also.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Chezree,
Great post. You are fortunate to have those resources. It is so important for student to be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. That way you can point them to resources that will help them be success not just in your class but other online courses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Having students complete a self-analysis inventory can really help them to become aware of strengths and weaknesses in regards to online learning. This can help them to better prepare for course responsibilities. It may also allow the student to set goals for course outcomes. For example a student who does not have good time management skills, may want to write out outcome goals for the course and ways that he/she plans to achieve these goals. A written list may provide a more tangible concept to the student and help him/her to stay focused and on task. It may also be a good idea for this student to keep a written calendar and "to do" list in an easily accessible place.
It what other ways can we encourage students to practice better time management? Are there other ways that we can show them that good time management can lead to better outcomes in the online classroom?
Asking students to complete a self-analysis helps assure students have the necessary tools to be successful.
At the school I work at, members of the admissions department first lay out some of the necessary technical requirements, as well as some of the time-management issues that students might face. This helps give students some understanding of the challenges they will face in an online learning environment.
I teach the first course of the online program at my school. It is called "Online Student Success". It is a six week long "self-analysis", in which students are presented with a lot of information on keys to being successful in an online learning environment. We start with the technological components, and move onto time management, and stress management. We also discuss the "end game" (completing the degree, getting started in a career, etc), to help stress the importance of being successful.
Whether it is a quick analysis, or a more drawn-out analysis, presenting students with the proper methods and tools to be successful, can help shift the focus from the learning environment to the content of the curriculum.
Until online learning becomes more of the norm, most students today come into an online program without the tools required to be successful. A self-analysis, is a great first step to help students achieve success.
I think it's very important that online students complete a self-analysis inventory if they plan to be successful in an online environment. Unlike a classroom setting, it is a bit more challenging trying to assist students from a distance. If they are able to acknowledge where their struggles are the easier it'll be for us to assist them.
Having students complete a self-analysis inventory is important because it gives the student an opportunity to determine if they have the skills necessary in order to thrive in an online environment. At the same time, it gives the instructor an opportunity to learn more about what the student’s skills and abilities are and to provide the necessary resources to help the students improve on areas where they need further development.
For example, we have students enrolled in an online program, yet lack basic computer skills such as attaching a document, uploading their assignment, or even basic Microsoft mechanics which impedes their ability to complete a uniformed writing assignment. I have also come across many students that feel isolated and withdrawn from the class community, struggle with engaging in the discussion forum, or feel self-conscious during times when they truly require assistance but are unwilling to reach out and ask for help. This eventually leads to procrastination, lack of motivation, and a reduction in grades for the assignments. Fortunately, our institution has provided a number of academic support service which has been set in place to help students navigate the online learning environment while helping develop study and time management skills. We also provide a Writing Center to help with writing and communication skills and Academic Coaching to strengthen course concepts.
Angela,
Great post! A self analysis would help you provide that individualized learning that can greatly improve the leaning of a student. You can match resources with need.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The students in my classes can range greatly in age and background. I try to identify with each student as well as their learning style to make sure I am providing them with the information in a format they can absorb.
A self-analysis inventory helps me and the student understand and identify their strengths and weaknesses. This helps me with planning the instruction and identifies opportunities for both of us.
