When I teach my online courses - I think about what is or what should be the motivation for the students to want to learn the material that I'm teaching. I also consider teaching it in a way via projects etc...that will provide a link for them to real-world skills and activities. I also consider how to encompass all three learning modalities so that all students are given the opportunity to learn in the way they are most successful.
What are the learning objectives and outcomes I expect from my students, how to make the learning experience online exciting and maintain a level of interest, and the last is to make sure that the assignments are clear and leave no room for interpretation.
The top three things I try to do in an online course are:
1. "Get Connected, Stay Connected" I not only send the welcome letter but call each student to welcome them to the course. I start the connection..get their number to text them. Students text so much more than call or email.
2. "Ask and You Shall Receive" I like to ask several questions on each discussion board. Sometimes, students wait to start the discussion because they don't want to be first. Asking a question can break the ice.
3. "Use the Tech" Turnitin.com has really nice capabilities. I will mark the students paper and record my voice doing so. Verbals can take the edge of negative marks and can reinforce positives from the papers.
Daniel,
Thanks for sharing. You have some very good examples/suggestions. Thanks again.
Tonia,
Nice list. It does have to be about the objectives as you are helping students learn as well.
Sarrah,
Open communication is a great thing to work toward. Thanks for your input.
Valaire,
Objectives are the center of all in the learning process. Thanks for your input.
Kristina,
Considering all of these things on combination with the objectives will enhance the learning environment. Thanks!
I believe that teaching experience is important. Second, is consistency and also third which I find challenging are the student that has a language barrier when they are writing.
Dr. Tena Crews
In response to your question, when teaching your own online course, what do you believe are the three most important things to consider? My answer is clear communication, prompt feedback, and proper assessment of student learning outcomes.
First, I must consider the terminal course objectives; they are what I was hired to teach, after all.
Next, I must consider the knowledge my students bring to the course.
Finally, I must consider how to let students use their personal strengths to get from where they started to accomplishing the terminal course objectives.
@tenacrews :I feel three important things to consider are:
The students current knowledge (if any) of the course content.
The students ability to utilize a computer (on-line instruction)
Thee students time zone (I teach online and have students in several time zones)
@tenacrews :
I think the 3 most important things an instructor needs to know when teaching an online course are:
1) the learning objectives of the course
2) the background of knowledge for the students
3) the available technology for the students.
Getting to know the student and their background and knowledge helps to build relationships and to design online classroom activity to fit the SLOs. SLOs can be taylored for different learning styles to make learning fun and interactive. Good communication is important on many different platforms specific to those types of communication. Teacher knowledge and continued involvement in the learning process promotes successful learning.
