How Do Correct Communication Errors Postively?
How can online teachers guide and correct the communication errors of their online learners without defeating the student?
Harlan,
Great post. It is important that you as the instructor share with students your successes and challenges in your online career and how you "fixed" you. It makes you human!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I will often mirror something that I have struggled with in my past that I can relate to the issue they are having. If you are creative you can find a way to make almost anything you have struggled with and over come a good learning point for a student. If they see that even the instructor has had things that they had to overcome I believe it helps them feel better about themselves and not get that defeated feeling.
Mischelle,
These are GREAT tips for writing discussion questions. This makes so much sense and it is a skill they can use in the workforce. I am sharing your idea with other. (I will give you the credit).
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Our students have A LOT of writing to do for their online courses. As a matter of fact, 50% of the overall grade--whether a math or an English course--is based on discussion questions.
I encourage students to never just write the first thought that pops into their head and immediately send it off. I tell students that every single time they put something in writing, whether a text or a formal cover letter, it is a direct reflection of them. Like it or not, people are going to judge on what you have written because it is all they have to go on.
I tell students what I do to ensure I represent myself as professional and educated as possible:
1. NEVER type directly into a discussion forum
2. ALWAYS open a word processing document and jot down your response, no matter how small or insignificant the assignment
3. Look your work over and add, delete, spell check; then leave it alone.
The final suggestion I have for students is to come back to their document in an hour (a day time permitting) and see if it still makes sense and relays the message they wish to send and the way they wish their classmates and/or instructor to view them; then cut and paste the document and hit send.
Yes, some may say this is too time consuming; however, I have never had a student tell me he or she has received a poor grade or were told his or her work was too professional.
In the end, it teaches our students to ALWAYS project their writing in a professional manner.
Tina,
Have you tried sending them an audio file with you comments on a paper? You should! Students like it you can provide them that important constructive feedback they need.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Tina,
That is a great strategy. Students really don't understand the reason we harp on formatting style so much. I am going to do what you do! Thank you for the tip.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
In my chats, I post an APA formatted paper and I go over it. I explain what a running head is, what an abstract is, etc. I also post a paper that was not properly formatted, so that they can see the difference. Of course, success with a paper is only contingent on whether or not they attended the chat. Those who did do well.
I generally start off with all of the positive points of their work first. I let them know that they did a great job in whatever the task was. I always thank them for a job well done, and their efforts. After that, I point out where improvement is needed, in a positive manner as well. The feedback from students about my comments are just as positive. I have found that as long as I am not berating my students, and focus on encouraging and motivating them, they do well in the long run.
Victoria,
You may want to remind them about the writing process and provide them with a calendar that will help them plan a writing project. I don't allow students to write me an email in poor grammar and punctuation. I try to model professional behavior and expect them to do the same.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
This is interesting because I come across this "write-it-once" mentality frequently. It seems the goal of many students is to write a perfect paper the first time they sit down to write which is, of course, virtually impossible. I talk to students about just getting thoughts down on paper (or computer) - even a sentence or idea that comes to mind that they know they will most likely want to include somewhere in the final paper but which doesn't necessarily fit at the moment. Students need to be reminded that writing is a process. This is even true with more important emails; I certainly edit emails all the time, but on occasion I save the draft of an email just so I can revisit it a little bit later with a fresh mind.
Katherine,
Great observation. I think students can learn to critique each other in an constructive way. This is a great opportunity to teach that important skill by modeling and providing students opportunities to use the skill.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the important part is to be clear and positive when you give the feedback. I often will point out to a student where an error is publicly if it's minor, and I make sure to make a note that I'm just using them as an example. If it's a bigger issue, I address it privately so that the student isn't embarrassed. I find that as long as I do it in a positive manner, students don't seem to mind, and other students get to learn from the mistakes they see others make. It also helps because it keeps students from feeling like they need to correct each other, which I have seen go south.
thanks,
Kate
Krystal,
I agree with you. I actually show students my papers that have edits on them and letters regarding "rejection" and major revisions. I think they need to know it is a process not an assignment. Good post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I try to always start feedback with a positive comment about the paper. I will also remind my students that editing is a natural part of the writing process, and that they should be focused on getting out their ideas when writing a rough draft and worry about the mistakes during the editing process.
Derek,
You make such a great point. You do have to be positive. It is important that students know that you just want to help them to improve. I think sometimes students see us (instructors) are against them rather than working with them.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think the best method is to tell students things they have done that are positive first. Then give them the constructive criticism about what they need to improve. Finally, end by confirming your desire to work with the student to improve and/or mentioning another one of their positive results.
Theresa,
Yes, it is important that students know how a bad paper looks and a good paper looks.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kelly,
I have to agree and think that providing a format or example paper would be helpful, and your setting the standard by doing so..
THeresa
mica,
great technique. it is important to show both bad and good examples. There is great value in both.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
