On the first day of class and throughout the course, I email students’ essay writing guidelines and tips on how to read their weekly chapters. Within my assignment feedback to students’ who received a poor essay grade, I request that they schedule a one on one appointment with me for tutoring, attend learning labs, and/or I can request for an Academic Coach. Weekly, all students’ receive an email requesting that they utilize all of the schools learning resources. For a student to improve on their reading skills, I request my students’ to read every day and review what they read previously so that they can understand and retain the information. When students’ are preparing for their writing assignments, I request students’ to write every day which will improve their critical thinking and reaching skills. As for improving students’ communication skills, I ask open ended questions within my original thread so that I get their point of view about a particular scenario.
S. Sanders
Miriam,
You have a great plan! You are providing professional guidance regarding student communication. You hold them accountable. You may want to use podcast from grammar girl to help re-mediate student writing. Just google it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have always been a stickler for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar. When I read those things just jump out at me. To help students improve I try to provide examples, show the corrections, and explain how their mistakes/errors whether unintentional due to not knowing or not taking the time to run a simple spellcheck can distract the reader and make them seem unprofessional. I am challenged by teaching in a career where students feel that writing is not a big deal since they are dealing with clients face to face, but nowadays with email and texts I explain to them that communication in all shapes and forms needs to be proper.
Stacy,
You are so right!!!! I have had several of those types of emails from faculty also! I do the same as you, I will send an email back to students reminding them of the policies on emailing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I find that modeling professional and effective communication is the first step to improving the student's communication skills.
I have received a number of student emails that I can not even discern the intended message because of a lack of punctuation and grammatical issues. I typically reply with a summary of my understanding of the communication and ask for clarification. This method gently emphasizes the need for the student to improve their communication skills.
David,
Great strategies. I think you set the model and you can increase expectations. This allows students to get comfortable .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I help students improve their skills by providing opporunities for authentic communication via discussion forums, water coolers, and assignments, during which I will first stress content - and only later stress form. It does not do any good to stress form and accuracy before content, as these may cause students to freeze up. This said, if I see a discusion post that is way off the charts in terms of the conventions of standard English I will communicate with that student in a private setting, whether via email or phone call. Overall though, I will set expecations and model good writing within the course.
LE,
You are right, the best way to ensure good communication starts with you. I have students that send me other instructors' emails and frankly they are embarrassing. You have to hold them accountable to those standards.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
To improve communication skills, I ensure that I set a professional example and ensure that students receive plenty of timely feedback. In my classes, I assess communication skills on every assignment. I want my students to know that these skills are critical and that communication counts on EVERY assignment. We do not generally improve without practice and attention. So, I like to provide lots of feedback and encouragement to improve.
Thanks!
Dr. Glenn ,
I do use audio and video feedback and it is a very powerful tool for students. Students told me (research) they find I say not just what is wrong but why it is wrong.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Glenn ,
I do use audio and video feedback and it is a very powerful tool for students. Students told me (research) they find I say not just what is wrong but why it is wrong.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have not attempted to use audio or video recordings to provide formative feedback. The online student must learn to clarify what is being read for understanding versus assuming that finishing reading is a signal that everything read was accurately grasped.
Dr. Glenn ,
What great strategies. You are really thoughtful in your feedback. Have you tried recording your evaluation?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
LaBoore,
FYI, have any of you used grammar girl podcasts. I have used them to help with grammar. Here is the web site: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
LaBoore,
Great strategy! Do you explain how they are to do that? I am finding that students don't know what to do with feedback? I know that sounds crazy.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Francis ,
I agree with you. The online environment is an opportunity to work on their written communication skills. You can develop a writing development plan individualized for the student using technology resources available such as a writing lab, Youtube clips etc. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, there are already resources out there.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Providing formative assessment feedback through the use of MS word Balloons that highlight the content that requires improvement with examples of the revisions necessary is very essential for the online learner to improve writing skills. Providing SQ3R process to motivate students to engage in a reading practice that focuses on the clarification of the content versus just completing a reading assignment is very necessary. The balloons are then connected to comments in a rubric that is inserted at the end of the deliverable with comments on why points were assessed and suggestions for improving the writing process.
Helping students to also use reading materials as reference for practical application to promote authentic assessment of work in progress through stimulation of critical thinking.
These two staples of online learning skills are very vital aspects that must be addressed by an online facilitator. The two facilitator practices described are a necessary action for effective facilitation.
Pat, I usually get alot of tips off from fellow members who post on the DB which helps tremendously.
I help students improve their skills by providing constructive feedback which includes providing examples so they understand for what I am looking. I also try to provide them with sources so that they can read about the topic to gain further understanding.
This is a great question and one that I have been thinking about lately. In my classes, I generally have students that need help with this very thing. I have found that the best way to help my students in this area is to shine a light on it. I like to provide resources for them to help them make improvements in their problem areas. It is also important provide them with opportunities to improve. I use thing such as sample writing assignments and resource guides.
