This module was a great reminder to set rubrics for our formative and summative assessments. I have guidelines for my discussion posts, but will add a rubric.
Rubics, effective communications, communication vode of conduct, evaluations,(formative,summarative), prompt feedback, diverse students (babyboomers, milliniums, generation x, generation y), discussion boards, and netequette, etc, are all imperative for online teaching.
Online Language: Communicating with Students --> Measuring Good Communication
You can measure good communication by having a rubric or by setting a pre-discussed plan about what is good communication for you as an instructor. In sense giving your students the rules on how to be successful with good communication.
In this module, the most beneficial section for me was the discussion on Rubrics. I have not used them consistently, but it works great as a simple tool (simple being the keyword) for communicating clear and concise expectations and for providing a more standardized evaluation. This should allow me to better evaluate participation and to provide clearer feedback.
EL 105 - Module 4 is packed with nuggets. Provides excellent pointers on establishing and motivating quality communication through sense of "community." Personalize communication, create a warm inviting atmosphere. Instructors to gain facilitation skills thus removing teacher dependence giving students control over their own learning. Facilitate to guide, motive, engage. Communication is to be both academic and personal. Communication and collaboration key. One such communication tool that is highly advised is a Rubric. Rubric is twofold> For the instructor to evaluate student participation consistently and for the students it communicates expectations.
Becoming a "guide onb the side" is a challenging but important skill. Doing this in a f2f situation is much easier than in an online setting.
Rubrics sound like great tools for a variety of reasons. Application of them in online classes can alleviate a lot of problems in expectation and outcomes.
On-line student participation in discussions is a vital part to a class. One must watch out for low quality posts though. One suggestion to improve post quality is to have each student introduce themselves to the class, this way they transform from a class...to a community.
I have learned that measuring good communication must be understood. It is important for communication to be easy and effective. Rubrics can be used to help be consistent and fair to all students.
Communication is very important with online learning. Teachers should use a rubric to help them evaluate student communication.
Feedback needs to be consistant. Also, teacher must provide posts that are meaningful and have a set purpose. Teachers should not overwhelm students with multiple posts.
As in each of the chapters, the point of the facilitator providing opportunity for the students to engage in active participation seems to become more and more of a central focus.
With guidelines and rules, and ruberics in place, the teacher should have the ability to monitor, encourage, and enhance participation.
Helping all learners become comfortable and feel everyone is a part of the learning community is key to student success. Also it is important to respond frequently in lesson boards to make sure on one student dominates the discussions.
Developing / establishing a good student community, maintaining that community and moving that community ahead is no small task for the online instructor. Scoring things like participation in a consistent, timely and uniform manner requires discipline and the use of rubrics to ensure the instructor's expectations are understood by the students and are fairly (and uniformly) applied to all grading the students receive individually and as a community.
I really liked the idea of creating a communication rubric. It makes grading easier and it sets expectations for the students, so they know what they have to do.
I will definatly be implementing a communications rubric into my online classes.
Rubrics are used as a tool for assessment. Whatever activity will be assessed, a rubric should be provided to students. In addition, the instructor should maintain consistency in how the rubrics are created. For example, the instructor should maintian the same number of points for each rubric aspect as well as identify each area with consistent titles for mastery levels.
The most important thing is to communicate effectively and to provide feedback in a timely manner and of course the importance of using rubrics.
In this module it is recommended to use a rubric to give students feedback on an assignment. I believe that sometimes a student may need a little assistance before grading an assignment. A student may not have understood the directions clearly or may have gotton confused. Therefore, before you give them a grade I beleive you could give an assessment through communicating through email. Rubrics are a good resource to use in the final grading.
Rubrics are always a good thing, for the one student who will always question every little detail of what they missed point wise.
