Robert,
You do the best you can with what you have to work with. Keep trying different things and working to help all students. Thanks!
The three items that I consider important are
1. a general background of the class that I try to determine in the introductions by each student;
2. what are the prior required classes to determine a starting point of knowledge that students should have; and,
3. different techniques to motivate students to participate in the class and share their knowledge and experiences.
Daniel
Daniel,
Developing an understanding of the students (you audience) and their background is helpful in the environment. Understanding our students will help motive them as well. Thanks!
I want to make sure I can teach the students the material. Also I want the students to feel comfortable with me and are able to ask questions when they need help. It is important for the students to be a part of the entire experience and benefit from my instruction.
francis,
We have to know our content and understand the best way to provide the content to others. The more students are engaged in the learning, the better the result. Thanks!
I believe the most important thing to consider is how the student learns, what is their learning style. I always change how I teach things to their learning style to help them grasp the new knowledge.
Another thing to consider is what is their obstacles to overcome. Some students can be pregnant or working multiple jobs. This is important to remember
Lastly, I like to know the reason they came to the online course in the first place. That way if they are falling behind by either their obstacles or not understanding the material and can use that to help motivate them.
Heather,
I think I already posted a response to this post. It's seems like a duplicate, but keep up the motivation of students and helping them overcome the obstacles. Thanks!
The three things I think are most important to consider when teaching an online course are how much the students already know about the subject, their learning style, and how dedicated to their education they are.
For example: If I'm teaching pharmaceutical calculations I need to know how comfortable with math my students are, what their motivation for school is, and how they best learn. I've had an 18 year old in the same class as a 56 year old and neither felt comfortable with their math skills. Building their confidence along with their competence is very important and there were similarities along with major differences. Initially, one student cried while the other just closed her eyes. In the end, they did very well and remember it ten years later but it took different methods to get through to them.
Philip,
Excellent. You can take them back to the basics to see what they know and help them move toward where they need to go. Nice job.
1. Creating a dynamic syllabus as a resource and guide for the students
2. Having an open commnunication line with the students
3. Encouraging and assisting students who are new to the online platform
jacob ,
Referring to the syllabus as a guide for students is excellent. This is exactly what they should view the syllabus as. This is many times the first step in communication with the students. Thanks!
I believe communication, course layout and an effective syllabus are the most important things to consider.
Aaron,
The effective syllabus is really the key as well. It helps you communicate and explain the course layout. Thanks for continuing your input in these forums.
I very much agree with the course discussion. Three things that should be considered when developing an online course are: having a good syllabus, using communication tools that facilitate discussion, and communicating with students to guide the discussion.
Having a concise, but very specific directions in the syllabus helps guide students in the right direction. One of the challenges that we have had to overcome is making sure that students read the syllabus. It is great to make a fabulous tool, but if students don't read it then where does that leave the instructor? In our courses we make the syllabus an assignment. the student cannot progress to the rest of the course until they have read the syllabus and discussed it.
Betsy,
She syllabus serves as a key component in the communication process. Some online instructors have started giving students a quiz on the syllabus and until the student receives 100% on the syllabus, no additional online content will be released to them. Just a thought. Thanks!
Dr. Crews,
In teaching College Algebra to adult students who have not seen or used Algebra in 20 years or more, the most important thing is to understand who the students are, what their access to technology is, and whether they have the capacity to work consistently on the course throughout the 5 week period. In more detail…
First I need to assess the level of the students. Can they do some Algebra as the course starts, or is remedial work needed? I ask them how long they have been out of school, and whether they use any algebra or technology in their day to day work. When a student asks me “…what does the “slash†in 1/2 mean….â€, I realize the student does not even know basic arithmetic.
Secondly, I need to assess their access to technology. Some students have computer or laptops at home with good internet connection. Others have just moved, or lost internet (couldn’t pay the bill), or may not have internet at all, and are dependent on a distant library. One student was a “sales rep†at a vacation/condomimum resort and was living in her car in the parking lot. She needed to do her work when the laptop could be charged off the car battery. Another student was in the military in Afghanistan, and could only access “technology†when his unit was not in “black outâ€. These issues all need to be considered.
Thirdly, students need to be able to access the course on a daily or semi daily basis. Many adult students are not able to do this. The “sales rep†above, could only get access once or twice a week and could not realistically be part of a "communityâ€. The student in Afghanistan always downloaded the Syllabus, Course Material, and all Assignments right at the start of the course, as he had no idea when he would be able to use any internet. He did join in one Live Chat but had to leave quickly …â€â€¦got to go .. incoming mortar fire..â€. A “Dynamic Syllabus†made no sense for him.
In reading the CEE Course Material and Forums, I am left with the impression that the students of these faculty members are all younger, technically “with itâ€, and are able to study on a regular basis, and interface with their peers. In the adult learning situations I have encountered many of the presented concepts seem out of touch with those having full time jobs, are out of the country, and who are studying on a very, very compressed time schedule!
Comments?
Anthony
Anthony,
You do have a tough job. Figuring out where you students are coming from can be done with a simple Algebra pre-test. That can tell you a lot. You can also ask computer/technology questions to get a feel for what they know along those lines as well. The students have to realize they need to meet the course expectations and what the grading scale is. If they are not able to check email daily, yet that is a requirement, they need to realize up front, that they probably will not receive and "A." OR you have to adjust the requirements if you can yet still allow for students to achieve the learning outcomes. Does this make sense or help you?
Hi Dr. Crews,
I believe when teaching an online course the most important things to consider are:
- The students and their current level (undergraduate or graduate).
- The course syllabus and what it entails and is it dynamic, and subject to change based on student experience and learning.
- Communication is vital in the online environment via discussion boards, chats, email, ebooks (reading) and other various tools.
- Technology and utilizing scaffold learning, because it builds on what the student already knows and is also a key element in the online environment.
Take care...
Dr. Sealey
Dr. Naomi,
We do have to understand out students and determine where they are coming from (their learning level) and communication is key. The syllabus is many times the first point of communication. Thanks!
I would say communication is maybe the most important and technology must be utilized to ensure that the best possible scaffolding of learning can take place for our students. I also believe we must provide efficient tools for our students to engage in an online community on a consistent basis. And I believe the syllabus must be what leads our students on their learning path to success and it must be dynamic.
