I have been teaching online for several years now and the three most important considerations are:
1)Student experience in an online environment - It's easy for me to forget that not everyone is comfortable in this type of learning environment. I need to work to help them become more comfortable.
2)Communication - It's important to respond to student requests in a timely manner.
3)Feedback on performance - The students want to know what they need to do to improve and they can only do this if we provide timely feedback.
Sara,
We do need to be present in the course overall. When we provide meaningful, timely feedback, we develop that presence as well and help students improve and move forward. Thanks!
Hello Dr. Crews and colleagues, :-)
I feel the three most important things to consider when teaching online are:
1) Facilitator presence via announcements and DB participation.
2) Timely feedback
3) Student outreach
Students that feel their instructor maintains a heavy classroom presence feel connected to the classroom which results in good student attendance.
It's important to give students timely feedback so they can learn from their mistakes and correct future work.
Instructors need to be in contact not only with those students that attend class, but also those that are non-attendant. Calling and/or emailing students shows them that you care about their well-being and are interested in their success.
Sara Fine
Online Instructor
Donna,
Quality is so important. I can't stress that enough. There should be quality in everything: communication, feedback, assignment, assessment, etc. so the whole course is of great quality. Thanks!
The three most important things to consider include:
the quality of the educational experience,
utilizing a number of learning approaches to connect with different learning styles so that students are learning the course content and the necessity of substantive feedback.
laura,
Providing content and supplemental material in a variety of ways may helps those struggling students. Using your best communication and feedback skills is essential too. Thanks for sharing.
Gregory,
You bring up some good points. We have to know where the students are coming from and where they should be going (hence the learning outcomes). Communication is essential and the syllabus is many times the first communication outlet. Thanks!
Carl,
Oh - so you are teaching in a blended environment where you see students F2F and they also do work online. That's my favorite way to teach. Thanks!
Three most important things to consider in teaching an online course:
1. Student needs and promptly identifying struggling students
2. Prompt feedback
3. Prompt communication
Hello,
This is an interesting question. In my opinion the three most important things to consider for online courses are the following:
1) Knowledge-base of current students
2) Type of syllabus (dynamic)
3) Methods of communication
I truly believe that it is important for the instructors to structure their courses based on student knowledge. Scaffolding is an excellent method to encourage students to use to enhance his/her learning. I also believe that having a dynamic syllabus will keep our students engaged throughout the entire course. Finally, it is truly important to "set the tone" for communication throughout the course. It is important to use as many methods as possible when communicating throughout the class.
Gregory Becoat
The daily worksheets are the homework assignments done in class on the days material. The students won't do homework or study at home so I have them do homework in class. For students with weak skills that don't study at home worksheets have to be each class period.
Carl,
What is included in the daily worksheets and do you feel they have to be daily and not weekly?
Thanks.
Tena,
I have to change my teaching style completely. Lecture doesn't work so I will be using elementary school techniques such as daily worksheets.
Carl
Carl,
Sounds like you are struggling with some difficult situations. Hang in there!
I teach at a ground school where the students never did any of the homework. I now know what happens if the students are not helped getting started.
Carl,
I like the way you noted helping students get started and help them continue to learn. That happens with the effective communication you discussed. Thanks!
Lyn ,
Ah - your assumption is an important one to make. Getting to know the students and figuring out how help them achieve the learning outcomes is essential. Thanks!
The three most important things to consider are:
1. How to get the students started
2. How to keep the students continuing
3. How to get the students to finish
1. We get the students started with a dynamic syllabus.
2. we keep the students going with effective communication so they don't stop.
3. We get the students to finish making sure they scaffold the material by building on what they learn to complete the material.
Hi all, assuming the course is set up in a logical and interactive way, then the 3 things I consider important to teaching are:
1)Communication: students need to hear from me promptly and know that I am monitoring their progress. I can communicate through emails, discussion boards, class chats, and private chats.
2)Prompt feedback on assignments: Our classes move quickly and not only do students want their grades, but they also need feedback on what they are doing well and how to improve.
3)Understanding student needs: Getting to know sudent backgrounds and individual needs/ concerns will help me to individualize comments when communicating. Lyn H.
Darlene,
These are important as they all help "frame" the class, communication and expectations. Thanks!
