I agree that communication between the instructors and students is key. This will have to include attention to "attendance" as well as the submission of required work. One determination of engagement for online learning must be a simple measurement of "Did they show up?" Like they say about the lottery "you can't win if you don't play."
Definitely. Online education requires a great deal of effort and self-sufficiency from the studnets attending the courses. Not only do they have a responsibility to learn on their own, they must also be able to manage their time efficiently in order to complete assignments within the timeframes allowed by the school. The desire to learn, or to acheive the goals enabled by the learning, must overcome the tendency towards procrastination that can be found in many adult learners.
Orientation modules are very helpful in communicating information to the students before they begin the course. The more they understand the format and processes involved in the online course, the more prepared they are for success. Studies show that retention is higher when an orientation is included. However, I do believe that we all learn differently because of our traits and that most importantly the instructor must address all styles of learning in the design and delivery of the online course. Communicate, communicate, and communicate again will help all students succeed.
Yes. The millienial generation is changing a school cultural. MG's want and require technology to keep them engaged.
The instructor should facilitate a student through highly individualized responses to personal emails, with instructions concerning issues the student may have. In a recent course I took online (not here), the instructor's responses to my emails seemed "boiler plate" so I fell into the background without participating any further in doing the assignments, just glad to lurk and read the other student's articles.
Many schools require students to work through an orientation module in order to establish their comfort level using online forums, chat, and turning in assignments. The instant feedback students can get through online quizzes--just like you get in the Module quiz, helps them know if they are mastering the material or if they need to review.
The students, as you have indicated, are not a homogeneous bunch, and may require different levels of assistance. If intervention can occur early on in a course, it really helps establish the student/facilitator relationship and aids retention. Any questions? Good luck!
