Justine,
Your question is a fair question. Of course, there are many students who do motivate themselves. However, the focus is on those students who for whatever reason heavily rely on external motivation. I couldn't agree more with setting the expectations up front prior to enrollment. Again, within our imperfect world there are many reasons why this is often missed. It is the instructor's responsibility to do his/her best to help the students achieve the success they are seeking. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I have begun incorporating online modules to my on-ground classes, with good results. As you mention, students MUST do the reading to be successful in the online assignments, since they must each respond in a designated way. Also, those students with technology weaknesses must get the help they need to be successful. I want to incorporate more online learning into my on-ground classes.
Suzanne,
The hybrid approach has been very promising in a large portion of research. When structured appropriately it seems to have advantages over either totally online or completely face-to-face. The rationale you indicated are some of the causal factors identified in research. Keep up the great work.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I have to agree that the motivation factor is something that has to be taken seriously ito consideration when attempting online classes. both the student and the instructor need to approach the online course highly motivated.
Darlene,
You are very correct. It is a demanding instructional environment for both student and teacher.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I am just about to teach my first online classes. I have managed to develop great rapport with my in-classroom students over the past year. I find humor, personal interaction (such as a pat on the back or physically looking a person's notes during class) helps my teaching style and continues to develop this amazing rapport I have developed with 99% of my students. I am nervous that I will be unable to develop the same rapport teaching them online, especially since our online learning system does not involve webcams and the students are unable to see the teacher and the teacher is unable to see the students.
Kerry,
No worries. The good teaching you described can be conveyed through the current online environment through enhancement of your use of the written word so it includes the characteristics your described. It will time and a deliberate attempt to convey some of the 'qualities' you naturally convey with facial expressions and body language. Nevertheless, it 'sounds' as though you have it in you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Lee,
I think whether a student is better fit for face-to-face interaction vs. online is dependent on the student as well as the instructor. Like Nia said, many students believe that taking an online course might be easier, when in my opinion and from my own personal experience, I think it can often times be harder. You have to be committed and willing to put in the time and effort sometimes more so online to reap the same benefits as face-to-face learning. I can see what you mean about students not reading ahead of time and being prepared for class, but again, I think that depends on the student and the instructor. As an instructor, you have to be enthusiastic and make the subject interesting. You also have to be able to appeal to all learning styles and abilities. Include group discussion, hands on, reading, lecture, videos, etc.
Melissa,
Your enthusiasm for your work is apparent. Thank you for your dedication and sharing these helpful insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
First of all, great question. Having taught online for 2 years part-time before teaching on-ground most recently, I see advantages and disadvantages to each. From purely the instructor perspective, I feel the on-ground experience has been more fulfilling for me as the interaction with the students is more palpable from many sensory perspectives. It is usually more difficult to ascertain the "intent" of a type written word as opposed to the student being right in front of you where "most" of the communication may be non-verbal. I would hope from a student's perspective that the "self-starter" intuitive type would be the primary on-line student but.....
Thomas,
You are sounding a very common experience. Thank you for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
After over 10 years of teaching face-to-face and online courses, I believe students also play a major part in the learning process; for example I often see the "out of sight, out of mind" issue with online students, where assignments are not done on time or are of poor quality. With the face-to-face interaction, I' able to gauge where students are with their assignments thus an online student has to be more disciplined.
Christopher,
There are many online prepardness tools available so student can assess whether they have the qualities to be an effective online student. Students really need to be focused, self-starters, organized and want to learn and interact in an online environment. I have seen plenty of students take an online course because they think it is less work, and don't succeed because it is the opposite - it is more work in many cases.
Herbert Brown III
