Get Your Students Hired
Kim,
Yes, we have to understand our audience and make sure they understand the expectations and the course learning outcomes. Keep it up!
The three important things to consider when teaching an online course is to first understand the type of students you have , secondly, have great communication with students with a dynamic syllabus and lastly, keep the student attention by keeping them interactive with you and classmate.
Kim Colston
Shirley,
Thanks for adding that the syllabus can be accomplished through different methods. Communication many times starts first with the syllabus. Thanks for your input.
When teaching my own online course the 3 most important things to consider are;
1) Syllabus, whether it is written in a dynamic and collaborative way
2)Providing avenues for communication with students
3) Providing good materials by way of scaffolding content materials
Dr. Shirley Chuo
Hello
An affective syllabus is critical. The students must know everything that is expected. I like the idea of a syllabus that is interactive as well.
Communication with your students on a timely and frequent basis allows for students who may feel lost or confused to be able to step back into the main stream before they are lost.
An instructor must take the lead also with the Discussion Boards. I have found that making one or two postings a day by the instructor encourages students to do the dame.
Bill Becker
William,
Yes, and when you refer to the final outcome are you talking about the grades and whether students achieved the learning outcomes or not?
Just wanted to make sure. Thanks.
Dr. Crews: The three most important things to consider for a online course is the student first, the learning objectives and the final outcome.
Donna,
Engagement is the key. We have to think (and be creative) about the many ways we can engage our students. Providing content in a variety of ways to students helps "hit" the learning styles. Thanks!
Student engagement is key. When the instructor knows a student's background, he/she can often leverage that into solid buy in from the students. Second is emotional safety. Showing respect develops trust and builds participation. Finally, understand your students' learning styles, and vary the assignments enough to hit their areas of strength and areas where they will grow and develop.
Robert,
Yes, getting to know our students is so important. We need to know where they are "coming from" and what they already know so we can move forward from there. Thanks for your input.
Robert,
Many times I just have a quick student survey that students complete week one. It asks questions about hobbies, interest in course, what do they hope to learn, age, and sometimes I do a pre-test too that deals with the course content so I know what they already know. Then, if I get a class that already knows the basics, I can quickly move through that and move on to higher content areas. Hope this helps.
Karen,
Fun is a word I like to hear associated with teaching. I love it and am thrilled to call it my occupation! Thanks for sharing.
Dr. Crews,
One aspect that I hadn't given much thought to, and one that several posts make reference to, is knowing your student. While I feel that it's a valid element, I'm interested in exploring how I can more effectively gain that knowledge in a relatively short time. My other two most important considerations are developing a dynamic syllabus, and enhancing communication; I2S and I2G.
Dr. Crews,
One aspect that I hadn't given much thought to, and one that several posts make reference to, is knowing your student. While I feel that it's a valid element, I'm interested in exploring how I can more effectively gain that knowledge in a relatively short time. My other two most important considerations are developing a dynamic syllabus, and enhancing communication; I2S and I2G.
Dr. Crew: I think that is exactly what we do as professors. I get the biggest kick when a students "lightbulb" goes on and they say things like "so THAT is why we do that at work!". Keeping the students on track is another important aspect. Sometimes they have a habit of responding to a discussion that has nothing to do with the question asked. Then we have to balance the fact that they were willing to participate with the fact that they did not reply to the question asked. I find it fun!
Karen,
You say it well. We have to know what the students know (where they are starting from) and how to build upon what they know by providing them resources and/or assistance to help them achieve the learning outcomes. It is kind of like assisting someone and not letting them quite figure out they are being assisted. . .like it was "their" idea. ;-) Thanks for your input in this forum.
Dr. Crews: The three most important things to consider are who your students are, what their backgrounds are and what the best way to scaffold the information being presented in the class to these students is. I think making sure that the class is as dynamic as the syllabus is important too. Trying to make the discussions interesting enough that the students WANT to participate with eachother is also important.
Jared,
You ask good questions. We have to know what we are teaching, who we are teaching to and how to assure they can achieve the learning outcomes. Communication technology plays a key role in this process. Nice job.
The three most important things to consider in teaching an online course are:
1. Who is your student? Does a student have any special needs that I can help them with?
2. What will my students be learning? What are the course objectives?
3. How can I best utilize technology to communicate with my students?