Student accountability
Our school is new to online training. I personally have over 15 years of experience with on-ground instruction in the audio arts. Most of our students are artist with not much of a previous education. In a classroom setting I can personally "face to face" hold a student accountable for underperforming as a student. Sometimes it is as simple as a pep talk to get them motivated/focused to complete the material. Now being online and distant from the particular student. Is there any advice for holding the student accountable or creating motivation other then just failing them from the subject?
Dan,
I would say communication is the key. Just as you hold students accountable in person by communicating with them regularly about their performance in the course, you do the same online. If they are not doing what they need communicate that to them regularly. However, even in a face to face classroom, you can still hold them accountable and they may still not perform and you have to fail them. You just do everything you can to motivate them with the content and encourage their completion of the work.
Herbert Brown III
I agree, communication with the student is vital for their success. The online environment is still new and a student can feel very isolated and alone. Quick responses and dialog with students can let a student know the instructor is there and actively participating in the learning process.
Candace,
I have also found that many students want to feel a part of a community of learners, must like what you might get in a traditional classroom. The ability of the students to interact with one another in a personal way and through class assignments helps to build that community. Get them to rely on each other for help during the course can contribute to that feeling as well, but of course you as the instructor have to moderate to make sure students are getting the right feedback.
Herbert Brown III
I find it hard to communicate with some students. They will wait until the end of the class to turn in a lot of assignments and do not return emails during the course. Should I ever resort to calling them personally to see how things are going?
Guy,
Sure, many instructors call their students, some text their students, whatever they need to get them involved and active in a course. Some of that may depend on your school policies as well. You can address some of these issues with clear expectations at the beginning of the semester and clear consequences for not meeting those expectations. Having a wide open submission policy that allows students to turn in work whenever they want will almost always be problematic.
Herbert Brown III
