Online teachers must maintain an active role in the discussion boards.
It is important to create a class community and keep discussion boards organized as a way to set a framework of the discussion- This keeps discussions more on track and prevents an overly long feed. Students need to be provided with rubrics if they are going to be assessed on their discussion posts so they understand the expectation of the content specfic discussion forums.
The onus to succsess falls on the instructor and his ability to communicate what he wants to the students at the outset .
Criteria must be used as the basis of a framework for measuring growth in the learning process. To effectively complete assessments, rubrics are a key component.
Communication and collaboration should always be included in rubrics.
I have learned that the instructor should not provide correct answers for discussion questions promptly, but they should let students think about the answers for a little while. I have also realized how rubrics can be used for grading online courses. I found it interesting that students go thru several steps as they become an online community. Students may go from just replying to questions to discussing more personal matters.
In the Online Language: Communicating with Students course, module four I learned the importance of setting policies and procedures as related to communication between instructor and students and student and students. Students need to be informed of these policies/procedures via a code of conduct or through the syllabus. Also, the instructor must be a “guide on the side” to allow students to work together by communicating and collaborating with little intervention by the instructor unless needed. The importance of participation within a discussion was also stressed which will help create a conducive learning environment. Rubrics are also key to objective grading of projects.
One of the big take-aways from this module is the idea of the instructor as the facilitator of online learning. The idea of an instructor as a facilitator is not new, but thinking through the lens of what facilitating in the F2F environment looks like compared to a virtual classroom might require some modifications and additional structures in place to ensure a productive learning environment. The theme of clear communication regarding expectations comes out in this module as well. Much like communication was referenced as a vehicle for engagement, rubrics similarly serve as a vehicle for delivering specific expecations for students.
I learned of the importance of having a rubric established for assessing the contributions to class discussions. I hope to create rubrics for my class that will help me encourage effective communication and collaboration to help establish positive interdependence amongst the participants.
Communicating a Code of Conduct will help to establish a good online community of learners. Listing and providing examples of expected behaviors and the consequences of actions outside of the expected behaviors is a good idea.
Rubrics area great tool for online course
Cummunicating with students and providing them a rubric that is clear and precise is important to online learning. The online classroom is effective when it engage, guide, and motivate learner and provide a safe learning environment.
Because we have multiple level classroom and various ability levels it often becomes important to collaborate with our peers to gain and ensure we provide fair implementation for content mastery.
Effective communication is important in an online class. It is important for the instructor to create an introductory discussion post. This will help students feel like they are part of a community. It is also important to create a rubric so students know the expectations and how they are being graded.
I learned that it is important to communicate your communication expectations early on. I should have established that parents check in daily instead of weekly or not at all.
Communication is key in online learning. It is also important for the instructor to create an intorductory disussion post for student and instructor to introduce themesleves. The introductory post will help create a sense of community. Rubrics are also an important part as the student knows the expecatations and requirements of the coruse.
I like the idea of posting a "what it takes to be successful in this course with the following critieria. I think putting that in the syllabus, in writing will be very beneficial.
Rubrics are key for students
Community is the most important part of the online class. Without it, there is no communication, colaboration, or participation in group discussions. I like the idea of the rubric for assessing communication.
It is important for students to collaborate with their peers during online courses. This engages the student and forms an online community which gives the student a similar experience as would a traditional classroom setting.
