Get Your Students Hired
The items that need to be considered the most important are communication, proper use of tools and scaffolding. Students need to know how to use online based tools like email or discussion boards to communicate with those in the class properly and the instructor can help with this by guiding the student in their learning.
Katina,
Organization is key. Without that, other things will be lost "in the shuffle." I also like that you mentioned the feedback and technology. We need to stay current on both of those as well. Thanks!
I think that things need to be well organized, first and foremost. If students can't get around the online classroom and can't make heads or tails of how to use the virtual campus, they'll be frustrated and less likely to do well in the subject they are studying. If students are bogged down by technical issues, and if you as the instructor are spending inordinate amounts of time teaching students how to use the classroom, you won't get much done.
Once you have the course organized, excellent live chat lectures and demonstrations along with good support resources do a world of good.
And finally, feedback. Students only know what you see when you tell them, so assessing their work and then directing their progress through praise and criticism is important.
Dianne,
Knowing what the students are coming to you with (e.g., experience, knowledge, etc.) is a great thing to start with. Many times I just ask my students to complete a quick survey and ask a few key questions so I can learn more about them. Thanks!
Dr. Crews,
In teaching my online course, the three most important things to consider are:
1) the level of previous knowledge of my learners
2) making sure the objectives and content of my course are clear and concise using a dynamic syllabus
3) keeping my students engaged thru discussions, emails and other various tools such as web conferencing, recorded messages, etc.
It is important for the student to know that even though we are in a virtual platform, that I am "visible" throughout the course.
Thanks, Dianne
Michael,
Quality, Quality, Quality - in online learning that's like location, location, location in real estate. ;-)
The three most important things for me are:
Quality of student learning, quality of the student experience, and good communication between the student and instructor.
Amy,
Communication itself is so necessary, but when it comes to communicating the expectations, then the communication has to be extra clear. Thanks for your input.
I agree with many of the suggestions already posted. Additionally, I think that communicating clear expectations is key. Grading rubrics definitely help students see those expectations for each assignment.
Terry,
Focusing on the students and the content together help students achieve the learning outcomes. Meaningful feedback in a timely basis helps with this as well. Thanks!
I believe the three most important things to consider when teaching online are as follows:
1. It's all about the student. Where they live (east coast, west coast), their individual situation, assessing each student as to what they do or do not know and responding to each of these appropriately.
2. Provide both summative and formative feedback but ensuring you praise them in every task they provide - even if it is a "small" praise. You need to make sure that you build on their self-esteem vs. destroying any that they may have.
3. As I require my students to communicate with me each session - instructors need to do this as well.
Out of these three points, I have to say that I see instructors or your bosses who "wait" that 24 - 48 hour window before responding to others. It doesn't matter who you are or your position - you should be checking emails once or twice daily and responding immediately to the person writing you that initial email.
Kevin,
The presentation of the information and the content itself are both important. Connecting them to the learning objective is important as well. Thanks!
The three important things the need to be considered I believe are the presentation of the information. As each student learns differently from one another is to make sure that you can provide the different approaches to how they learn.
Feedback that will allow the students to learn how they can fix the problems they encountered.
Then the content of the assignments. Make sure that you are teaching something that is up to date with the technology and what is being used in the industry. If you are teaching old technology and information then that is not going to help the students.
How well do the students adopt the material you've given them. Second do they find value in the subject matter in order for them to take the course. Third and probably most important is the quality of your teaching style and how that is presented in an online environment. You must be able to make the material portable, flexible and technology enhanced so that it is exciting and interesting for the student to stay engaged.
Ricardo,
And, aligning them all with the learning objectives is the key. Students need to know what they are working toward and why. Thanks for your input.
When teaching my own online course, I believe the three most important things to consider are students' expectations in course, students' career goals, and any learning challenges they may have.
James and Donna,
Thanks again for continuing the conversation. Quality is a great term to use when discussing the learning process in an online course. Take care.