Online Classes
ONline classes, takes a lot of time but if you have excellent time management you will become successful
The popularity anc success of these online classes,is an indication that they are here to stay.
Peter,
Very good point! We as instructors need to make sure we keep up with technology so we can pass the education to the student.
Shelly Crider
Not only staying up with the technology but pushing it too. The education is the important piece and the technology tools are supporting cast. We have to become not just early adopters but early innovators as well.
Online courses are great for people who have busy personal lives or "life issues" as we refer to them. It gives the flexibility that these students need. However, academic integrity is still a major issue. I think interactive lectures or presentations where everyone is tuned in at the same time is a GREAT way to avoid such issues. However, you still may have a scheduling issue. As time passes, we will gain knowledge and ideas regarding how to better monitor and prevent these issues. My other concern is that students are losing out on the social interaction and for law schools especially, the pressure of being called in on class according to the Socrates method. Again, the interactive lecture solves this by allowing students to participate and get called on while in their own home.
Courtney,
There are ways to have active interactive lectures. Plan ahead and make sure students have the necessary information.
Shelly Crider
It's hard for adults in online classes. Most of them are married, have kids, are looking for a profession later in life. I struggle with keeping my students motivated and passionate about their education online.
Karen,
this is true. Here is a little tip I give.....I tell the mothers and or fathers to read their homework to their children or have their children do their homework the same time our students are working on their homework. Family homework!!
Shelly Crider
I completly agree with you with respect to the timing involved in an online class. Been an instructor you have to document and include in your information more details than usual since you are not having that person to person relationships with the students or peers. Due to the missing person to person you have to include in the expectations, presentation, welcome, assignments goals, objectives and how to meet those objectives and address all details of each assignments. These details include from what is expected, due date, deliverable length and time, specific requirements of the assignments, references apa format and more. Online classes might take the instructor or facilitator twice the time that a student might spend doing their assignments. This pre-preparation is not including the feedback everytime an assignment is done.
Rubiela ,
Thank you for including "expectations, presentation, welcome, assignment....". There is a lot to go into a class.
Shelly Crider
You are correct in your assertion, but I think it takes more than time management because there is more to time management when the student has a job, children and a family to take up some of their time.
I have been teaching online for only a year and am finding more effective and efficent ways of teaching and grading with every bew class I start.
I find making youtube videos helps with teaching specific math topics. My videos are only 5-10 min long. I have a bank of almost 40 of them now.
Time and project management are essential if one needs to be successful in an online environment. I’ve advice my students to read the assignment ahead of time so they can budget their (personal, work and academic) time they need for the difficult assignments. This will also give them time to research and reach out to the instructor for additional assistance.
William, Youtube videos or extra chats are very helpful for our visual online students too.
Racquel ,
I give my students a check off sheet at the beginning of class. I am in hopes this keeps them organized as well.
Shelly Crider
Yes Jeannette, I agree; it does take a lot of time to invest in. If you have excellent management and organization skills it will help alleviate some of the time you have to put forth.
