Online Classes
it takes a special type of individual to complete on line classes
Jeannette,
Oh so true. Not every student is an online match.
Shelly Crider
Why not? The information that I get from this course tells me that anyone could be an online student as long as he has all necessary tools to take it. Am I wrong?
FARZANA,
No you are not wrong! There are students who can thrive in the online environment that stuggled all through school.
Shelly Crider
Being an online instructor, I don't know if it necessarily takes a special type of individual to complete the class, but it definitely takes an individual who is somewhat disciplined. I have found many students who cheat themselves. I say "Cheat themselves," because it's only hurting them, but they log on and then disappear, as if they are online. They are getting nothing out of the class and as an instructor, it's very frustrating to watch.
Kathy,
Very well stated! The bottom line is how interactive the instructor is. Even in a poor class, if the instructor is involved....students will come!
Shelly Crider
Not neccessarly are you wrong, but a student has to be totally committed to taking online courses and disciplined. Even if someone has all the tools needed to be successful but doesn't know how to use the tools, we are setting them up for failure. Even on ground environment, the institution needs to assess that a student is able to complete all facets of the program. I have found great behavioral exams to assess the online student and their committment.
Amy,
Good point. A student needs to be committed whether online or in a traditional classroom.
Shelly Crider
Some students will work really well well when they are not face to face or on tight time constraints, such as in a brick an mortar classroom--
Yes, you are SO right!!! I find my students become less accountable and responsible because they are online. I don't know how to motivate them. They are adults, and really should know what they need to do
This has been my experience also, and sometimes I send direct IM to the student to see if they will respond... The few students that respond to the online IM usually give an excuse why they cannot join the Live Chat. Some of the students prefer to listen to the recorded chat later, but since I have no way of verifying if the listened to the recorded chat, I feel that they are "cheating themselves" just as you said.
Jerry Nwonye, PhD
Jerry,
Nice work on the IM. I wonder if they would respond to Twitter!!
Shelly Crider
Yeah, Twitter will be nice, but I doubt if they will respond. I think some of the students just long in to meet the basic attendance requirement... I have sent diect e-mails and marked it URGENT, and the student does not respond for three days, and when he responds he wants me to "hop to it" because his career depends on it.
Teaching is a labor of love...
Jerry,
I agree. I "see" students online just long enough to trigger attendance, but when I throw in a personal experience story, they show up more!
Shelly Crider
I am not sure personal stories would work with my class because we exchange personal stories on the DB all the time. I have also incorporated some personal stories in the recorded live chats, and I am not even sure they view the recorded live chats.
Well, I am willing to try anything to get them to come to the live chat forums, so I will find a new way to use more personal stories. Stay tuned!
Jerry,
Hang in there. Online is just like traditional as each and every class will react a little different than the one before.
Shelly Crider
That is so true. I believe the Instructors have more influence than they give themselves credit. Online learning is not limited to a few. I have seen all types of students in the last few years. Some of them are brilliant. Others are struggling to get by. But all of them seem to want to make a better life for themselves and their loved ones. Many have very difficult circumstances they are working through. It is our job to help them succeed. We are able to do this with great enthusiasm if we so choose. This can be the dealbreaker for many students.
Robin,
Oh I so agree! Instructors have a tremendous amount of influence in the classroom!
Shelly Crider
That’s true, online education is not for everyone. That’s why we have a new program here at AIU, that allow a student to enroll an online class and see if it’s a right fit for them. Here, they’ll learn how to communicate, research and post their final work online. If they pass this class, they can move to the next level of their degree plan.
I see that in my class to Kathy, I email them and notify them of their error, I explain and guide them what I’m looking for. Often times they are just not sure how to tackle the assignment that’s what they are looking for shortcuts.
