Module 3 mentioned keeping live chats to a minimum of 6-7 students. If a class consists of 30 students, do I break it up into groups and have 5 different live chats? Also, do I randomly choose the students for each group?

Do you find there is a certain part of the day or evening that is more beneficial to gain higher participation with synchronous discussions?

I am developing my first online course. I have taught in the classroom over a year. Some of the courses I taught have very simple content, therefore, I try and gain class participation by doing projects and activities on a weekly basis. How can I maintain the same excitement and participation with an online course that contains basic content and material?

How would you address a local on-line student who insist on meeting you, because they feel they are not being graded fairly and has issues with your teaching style and will not give up until you meet with them face to face?

What is the best method to redirect a student who wishes to withdraw from class due to them finding CMS overwhelming and not easy to navigate?

I deduct points for students who are continuly absent. With online students having different schedules do you feel it appropriate to deduct points if a student misses the chat sessions, even though assignments are in on time?

Recently completing an on-line course, through chat sessions and e-mailing, I gained a friend and we did our assignments together and helped each other along, which at first I thought by doing and online class I would be just stringing along with the instructor and myself, however I received help through the instructor and my friend, gaining a relationship on line is possible it is not only for the face to face classroom.

I believe that students would learn as much as if they attended a class with the help of their teacher, however, there many implications that we have to ponder about, namely, the students' learning styles, the encouragement that they get from their instructor, yet, if we take for granted that the instructor is effective as to deliver the online course and that his/her student are highly motivated. I indeed think that learning would take place, on one hand, due to the format of the course delivery, student would have the advantage of working at their own pace and thus accomplish the intended objectives as well as to have enough time to grasp the course contents. On the other hand, learners would not have the pressure of achieving certain aims through a more structured deadline because of their learning abilities and styles.

I firmly believe that as teachers it is a must that we get to know our students in any context and learning situations, and there should not be any obstacles of any kind in as far as it concerns for projecting a sense of trust and confidence in order for students to open up their affective filter and to be willing to cooperate in any learning event as well as to respond to their teacher positively. Some of my peers already stated different ways of getting to know their students, however, I want to add another point, that of ourselves, teachers to maintain the boundaries with our students as well as the classroom democratic leadership. Furthermore, getting students engaged in decision taking throughout the course, providing descriptive rather that prescriptive timely feedback and at most importance helping students notice that they are accountable for their learning by prompting them, provoking discussions to know their viewpoints, and empathizing with them. Although, I by no means suggest that teachers should surrender their role, on the other hand, I strongly suggest teachers to manage courses in a collaborative fashion in which learners would be highly involved and proactive, as a result the teacher would get to know his/her students further. Marc Del Alto

An integral skill to be developed by language students is being able to strike sentences together through the proper syntax, hence, having a full command of the grammatical structures embedded to the language. I, myself, foresee one single possible problem not about presenting grammar but on checking comprehension thoroughly. Does anybody agree with me? Jorge Tamayo

When I was teaching at a university in Tijuana, I went to a workshop where we talked about giving students a certain grade for perfect attendance. Some professors didn´t agree. It was a complex issue. In my teacher training we have some issues about students coming in late. When trainees practice, they have to let students come in late. We reflect on our teaching practices every morning. One of the trainees mentioned that even in the input session, they come in late sometimes. I told trainees that a lot of those issues have to do with schools policies. My question is..should we reward those students who go to class and are in time all the time or should we just take that for granted and focus on participation instead? looking forward for some input Rodolfo

I´m a teacher trainer in Mexico. As part of training, I teach how to teach Phonetics. Basically the problems we might encounter as Spanish speaking people learning English. I wonder how this topic can be taught online, especially when it comes to sounds, intonation and so on. looking forward to hearing from someone, Rodolfo

As a recent online graduate, I found working with groups and corresponding electronically had many advantages. Because many of us were in different time zones, we found it helpful to post the times we would be online. This allowed for those who could "chime in" to do so. Another advantage was we worked together to divide up sub assignments for group assignments and assigned a specific time in which we were to have our individual contributions in. This constant logging in allowed our instructor to see who was really participating and who was not. Third, I learned how to work cooperatively with people I have never seen before. If you can do well in this type of arena, imagine what you can do face-to-face.

One thing that I notice in my traditional classroom setting is that most students, even adult learners have what it takes to acquire a certain set of skills, provided that they are well explained by the instructor. What some lack, in regards to adult learners, is computer literacy. Therefore, I am willing to say, that any course can be taught online. The problem will lie in the students' ability to navigate through the computer learning fields. Some students will probably prefer to have a physical person present to help them when they come to a crossroad. Others, who are computer literate and/or high achievers, are willing to figure it out. That's where good tutorials can come in hand.

All the discussion topics for subjects that l teach are done in the asynchronous mode. A requirement is that every student post to the discussion forum several responses relevant to the topic. Every student is given the opportunity to express their opinion both personally and academically and comment to each others posts. Do you feel this method is limiting to a avoidant learning style type of student.

Setting a time frame for asynchronous discussions has treetous value in establishing,influencing, inspiring and connecting with your students.Establishing a specific time to do a required on-line chat can be effect method in establishing this.

“Attendance versus Participation” This is a subject for clarification on the first day whether online or in the class. Students have a misconception about Attendance and Participation. Coming to class or signing on to the online class is "Attendance." Some believe their mere physical presence in the course warrants a grade of 100% for "Participation", because, "I was in class...." This is very indicative of the compare and contrast in commitment levels. Therefore, before I render a final opinion about this; let us take a moment for introspection. Please remember this exercise, because your class will be a mirror-image of you. One of my favorite anecdotes or modern parables is the difference in commitment between the pig and the chicken. The chicken contributes eggs to the farmer everyday - then spends the rest of the day, pecking and scratching around the barnyard. The commitment is daily, nonchalant and painless. The pig makes but one contribution. The farmer wakes up very early one day during the right time of the year with the intent to slaughter the pig. The pig gives of his whole being to participate with the farmer. The pig's commitment is all or nothing! Without sounding gauche, ask yourself, as an educator, "Am I a chicken or a pig?" "Do I lay an egg in class, everyday or do I give of myself completely?" Whether you want to answer the question, your students already know the answer! (Think about that for a moment.......) They know who is in the classroom for a check and who is in the classroom to impact lives, positively. We cannot expect a student to give more in the online classroom than we devote in time and honing of talent. The student will discern whether we are engaged with the online class or looking at the clock. The student will discern whether our responses are the product of thoughtful process or a cut-n-paste from a prior class. CONCLUSION “Attendance” is showing up in the classroom prepared for coursework. “Participation” is rendering initial material; receiving feedback; and then substantiation or relegation to a new perspective on the subject du jour. This process is cyclical for each student. If we approach the class with enthusiasm and salutations to each student, then they will develop a willingness to engage all members of the class. Independently, they will reach for a higher level of understanding of the material. The end result will be a "Participation" mindset - without us wasting time with prompts.

Can any course be taught online? Presently, I will have to say, "No." This is a conditional response based upon two realizations: 1. The level of technology in online programs. 2. The expected skills that can be applied after the course. 1 The level of technology in online programs The multi-media and games design industry have given the educational industry an opportunity to capture the attention and interest of this computer generation. I have witnessed a number of very interactive exercises that use bowling, crossword puzzles, war games, gameshow templates to entertain the user. If we, as educators, fail to align ourselves with the change in education, we will enable students to fail in teaching them how to perceive and receive techniques for learning new concepts. We have witnessed the decline in enthusiasm in the classroom at all levels. The education industry needs to employ the same technology that excites the student when they run home to do GameBox and other applications. Education must walk hand-in-hand with the evolution of the visual arts. Education must be deliverable in each venue available to students: Blackberry I-PODs Text messaging 2. The expected skills that can be applied after the course Secondly, the educational administrator has to decide what skills can be developed in this online forum. The key to success is to be able to deliver the lesson in each of the three learning styles: Visual Auditory Kinesthetic The Department of Defense uses simulation techniques that require the use of all senses for success. The education industry needs to make the same type of investment to create a virtual simulation option via the online environment. Some disciplines can be taught very readily. Humanities and Arts, Math, History, Business, etc. can be taught as in the classroom. These are visual classes that can develop the students' talents. The impasse comes when the discipline requires an inordinate amount of kinesthetic exercises. It is difficult to teach Mechanics, Surgery, Dentistry, Electronic Maintenance, etc. without having the actual tools in hand. These arts require a tactile quality that cannot be reproduced, currently. (How would you feel about your Dentist never having touched inside of a real mouth…..and you are next?) Although oxymoronic, the more realistic the virtuality becomes, the easier it will be to address the next challenge for the multi-media and games design industry. "Make it real!" It is possible that the education industry could partner with the other industry to contribute to the research and development of these future tools. This would cut down the cost of the programs for the education industry. This brings us full-circle back to the original conditional response. As the technology becomes available the percentage of classes that can be delivered in the online environment will increase, exponentially.

In the courses I am teaching, there is a Discussion Board requirement. The student response to these has been anything but overwhelming. I am looking for ideas that I can use as the instructor (but not developer/designer of the discussion questions) to get students more motivated. About half of the questions are close-ended (yes or no), but the other half could stimulate some healthy discussion. Thank you for whatever help you can provide. Jennie

I am in a situation where I have students in three time zones. Does anyone have suggestions for synchronous discussion or chat sessions that would best include all of the students? Thank you, Jennie