June Wagner

When does the facilitating end and the effort on the part of students begin? Can we over-facilitate so that we are the ones doing most of the communicating and encouraging? We need to be sure students understand the expectations that responsibility and commitment involve, and we need to encourage students who try to draw out and help others in discussions, etc. Otherwise, it is easy to burnout.

That is good to hear. What did you teach?

I am shocked when I hear from students that many teachers don't' respond to their emails or calls. I try to respond to emails 5 times per day (okay a bit obsessive), and I am always thanked profusely for this. Why do you think many educators don't respond to students? By the same token, I can't understand why some students don't respond after I help them in replies. I think we need to teach email etiquette in schools; if you get an email, respond, if only to say "Thanks"!

At one of my schools, which has both hybrid and online classes, we are being told that with the burgeoning online system of education, we need to make available many more virtual classes (despite an economy that seems to be challenging both in-seat and online enrollment in all of my schools). I love the live interaction of a classroom, but the idea of online teaching becoming more prevalent intrigues me as I consider retiring into the mountains and continue to travel around the world. What do you all think of this trend?