Open mindedness, self-motivaton, self-discipline, time management, computer competency, critical thinking and teamwork are what students require to be successful in online learning.
Most students in online classes already need to be good communicators and good with time management and have strong executive functioning skills. Online courses may be more convenient, but they are not, generally speaking, easier. Make clear if you can up front what the time commitment from the course is expected to be. Then students need to find a way to carve out that time from their own schedules.
It is important to think about learners in two respects: age and learning styles. Helping students feel comfortable in the learning process will greatly increase their likelihood of success.
Students really need to e self movtivated, self disipline and have great time management skills to be successful.
In order for students to be successful in an online course they will need open mindedness, self-motivaton, self-discipline, time management, computer competency, critical thinking and teamwork.
This chapter discussed further the importance of communication. It exanded into the different learning/communication style of different generations of people. Depending on the group you are instructing, you may have to adapt, and or combine communication styles. Communications should be clear and concise from the instructor. sometimes things such as sarcasm, and or joking remarks are tkane literal and can easily offend someone.
Rules of communication must be provided upfront. Show examples of good and poor communication and always use good communication skills.
Communicating with Students --> Helping Students Communicate Effectively Online
One more piece to the puzzle, is being aware of your generational group within your class. Being clear on your syllabus to explain how communication will be facilitated among students and evryone being held to the same standards.
Engagement is one of the hardest skills in online instrcutor. I learned in this course healthy community is inviting and facilitating is the key.
The best guide in having an effective communication process, keeping students engaged and having a healthy online community is always doing (saying and writing) unto others as you would want them do unto you.
I have learnt about the different generations, their strenghts, weakness and best ways to ensure effective communication with all of them. I have learnt ways of engaging students in an online environment, challenges and how to assist students to become successful online learners.
My take from this course is a new insight into the differences between the way the different generations communicate which can be a challenge, but , the difference can be useful in enhancing engagement, effective communication , safe community and learning inan online environment.
I learned that the different age groups will learn different ways. The Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, and Millenials will all learn differently and communicating with each group is different. I will pay close attention to my wording, tone, etc. when communicating with the students.
I have learned that student engagement is so very important. If they are bored or are not interested in the material/assignments online it would be very difficult for them to be engaged.
What have you learned from this module and how do you intend to apply it?
I think that instructors need to be aware of learning styles and how people are confortable with technology. I liked the sample survey to give to stuents to see what their comfort level is, and then using that to identify and concerns that may come up as you teach the course.
The content is not necessarily the most difficult part of teaching on line. I sense that communication, technology skills or the lack of those skills, and generational differences of the students are all things that an on line teacher must constantly work on as well.
By the nature of online learning, miscommunication can occur. To minimize misunderstandings, it is important for the instructor to inidividualize thier mode of communication to each students and understand the perspectives of various age groups.
Misunderstandings will occur. It is best to communicate as best one can and to resolve any misunderstandings.
but any rules, are best articulated in the syllabus or course handbook.
Getting to know what your students are capable of is one way to ensure that you can communicate properly & effectively.
Student engagement and ensuring communication rules are clearly defined is vital to a successful online course.
