How much to reach out?
I have a question. I am new to online teaching, and it is really important to me that I maintain a good presence in the online environment. Right now I have one student, and I am having an issue with the students responding to me. The student does post discussions, but whenever there may be a problem with an assignment, and I e-mail and ask if there is any help she needs or she does not understand to please let me know. She also does not come to the virtual office hours. Some teachers have suggested giving the students a call, but I am wondering if that would be invading their space? Does anyone have any hints on how to reach out, but not going too far or doing too much? Thank you.
Keisha,
Texting and calling are tools I have begun to use during this past year. I haven't had a student indicate that it is invasive and some have indicated they were grateful for the outreach. I suspect there were some who felt I was being intrusive. I find the time on the phone to be the best 'tutoring' time for me and my students.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I have taught online for over 7 years and found that a lot of students are receptive if you offer to call them. I usually contact the student advisor before "cold calling" a student to see how receptive they are. The student advisor is a great resource to get to know the student better.
Rich,
Excellent point. The phone call is a terrific "sidecar" to the online classroom.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I do call students, but only when they ask to be called. My school does not provide student phone numbers to faculty, so students need to initiate phone calls, usually by emailing me. Some topics are just easier to talk about by phone than through emails.
I also provide my phone number for students to call me. Most don't abuse this and it allows for almost immediate contact in emergency situtations. My school also has a way to send me, via email, voicemail messages left on my school phone number.
Mara,
I have setup a Google phone. It helps, but some unreliability. I just give my students my cell number. So far (since 1999) only one inconvenient incident where student was disrespectful of the phone use.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Personally, I like to chat with students over the telephone. I like the dialogues, and they do indeed promote leatrning, at least in my opinion.
Donald,
I find them rewarding as well. Almost all of the time the student seems very grateful for the individual attention.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Mara, this is a good point, and I think you're right to be somewhat cautious: since the advent of the "do not call list", the line between "support" and "harrassment" seems to be blurry at times! For certain things, I like the visuals I can include in emails. Also, there are instances where a (digital)paper trail might be a good precaution, i.e. verifying responses, directions, etc.
Keisha,
To the extent that you can, try to offer "knowledge incentives" to attend live chats - if your school offers them - or office hours. You can tell the student(s) that you have critical information you will be covering in your synchronous discussions that will greatly aid them in successfully completing a particular paper, for instance. It's almost an appeal to students to seek this esoteric knowledge that is readily available to all who go the extra step to retrieve it. Students are responsible for all information contained in the course and making it available through the real-time modes only can enhance their level of interaction, even if they attend the 'archive' only.
