Jennifer Block

This section reinforces the multitude of factors that may disrupt on line learning and individual students' patterns of behavior. Hopefully the instructor's interactions with individual struggling students and/or over competitive or narcicisstic students can reolve any issues. It is reassuring that if absolutely necessary you can look to your institution for help.

Yes. I am beginning to realize the complexity of running an online course. Engaging students in positive ways so students may feel connected to one another is multi-faceted. Just as in in classroom instruction if students are not connected to the course , the instructor and the other students, learning will be impeded.

Students are always more involved with instruction when there is mutual respect between all parties.  Besides the whole class  relationship between teacher and class the individual relationships between students and students and teacher and students will initiate "true" learning.  As Pauolo Freire taught us long ago the "banking method of education" teachers nothing. To have any critical thinking among all parties their must be an understanding of equality and respect.

There are complexities that go into online delivery of courses.  The instructor needs to spend  a signifigant amount of time understanding the management of the online course so as to make vertain it is student friendly. Students will need as much teacher support as possible; feedback, as said needs to be done as quickly as possible. These components are not so very different from in person teaching, however it is imperative that the instructor can manage the variables inon line teaching.