Get Your Students Hired
Not being F2F, I am unable to watch my students and pick up clues when there is a question or misunderstanding. Students are hesitant to ask questions, so being able to determine that my students understand the content, or assignment, is a challenge!
Melinda ,
Do you conduct any online LIVE (synchronous) discussions with your students on topics where you can develop this same dynamic with your online students?
Herbert Brown III
I enjoy leading a verbal discussion; online learning is different. One needs to be a moderator and I need to hone those skills.
Good morning Herbert,
Thanks for your response. Yes, I know what you mean, which is why I have a tendency to post in the "wee" hours of the morning or late at night when I have time to reflect and think about what I 'really' want to say, especially if I get a harsh note from one of my students. Happy Holidays!
Warm regards....
Dr. Naomi
Russell,
I have seen this behavior as well. I try to address this with VERY clear and detailed course expectations which address what students should expect out of the course and I am very upfront about the workload for the course. I also make sure I give them a detailed schedule at the beginning so that they students can see the amount of work required, the assignments, and I try to help them organize their work and submissions. I set clear deadlines and expect the students to meet them. After the first couple of assignments they get a feel for how the course will proceed.
Herbert Brown III
Dr. Naomi,
Communication is critical and I agree tone is very important. I find when I get in a hurry I come across in my postings in a much more direct way, which is often viewed by the students as harsh criticism. It is not intended that way, but I didn't watch my tone and was too blunt in the details of elements that need work.
Herbert Brown III
I think the biggest issue I encounter as I teach introduction courses is students believe for whatever reason that online learning requires no work compared to classroom learning.
The problem is deeper overall, but I try to engage the students at the end of the day. As to be a guide on the side, it is important to engage the students and try to help create a strong rapport with them so they can be as successful as possible.
Hello,
The biggest challenge in transitioning from the face2face classroom to an online environment if the inability to see the students' body language and look them in the eye. These features tell you a lot about how the student is feeling. Therefore, communication, communication and more communication is paramount in the online environment. Moreover, the tone in the communication speaks volumes and the online instructor must be aware of this at all times. Happy Holidays!
Best...
Dr. Naomi
I agree with your response that lack of body language will be the hardest transition. Words and intent can often be misconstrued when only being received through text. I think that netiquette will play a big part in this transition.
A major challange is not knowing if a student is struggling in the online class becuase you cant see them face to face. If the student struggles, they tend to just dissapear, and as an instructor you helpless.
Janette,
I tell my students this same thing. I tell them to write down any statements they want to make in the "heat of the moment" and then revisit them hours or a day later. Oftentimes you will find you are very happy you did not sent it the previous day. At the very least, you usually rewrite it in a more professional tone after that cool off period. I certainly have learned my lessons along this line and try to do this myself.
Herbert Brown III
When students understand that I am their advocate and not their adversary, the course seems to run much smoother.
I encourage the students to email me with questions and try to find ways to build their confidence throughout the course.
I try to project a friendly demeanor, while also maintaining my authority.
I also try to carefully read emails so that I understand what the student is intending to say, sometimes they write to me out of frustration and it can be poorly communicated. At the same time, I get frustrated with them at times. I make myself take a break before responding to a particularly challenging problem. Some time to cool off is always worthwhile.
Kelly,
Great! The more you can make that "personal" touch the more the students will feel connected with you.
Herbert Brown III
I have been teaching in an online classroom for a year now so I have adjusted well to becoming the "guide on the side". In the beginning it was a challenge to account for "everything" and make sure I was doing enough. I began to focus more on motivating them to learn for themselves instead of trying to give them all of the information. I think the suggestions in this module are accurate and comprehensive. I usually post a bio in my initial course announcement, but after going through this lesson I will be sending one as an attachment in their day one email and possibly looking into producing a video version as well.
Some of the challenges to being a guide on the side relate to the fact that a faculty member who teaches online must "facilitate" and "guide" the course, not to dominate it.
I have witnessed a number of teachers in a physical classroom who dominate the teaching process and who do not allow students to interact with each other. In other words, it is very much one way communication.
When someone is teaching online, there is a written record of everything that each student says as well as what the faculty member says. For this reason, it is important to recognize that students notice the tone of a faculty member constantly online and that students want to be treated like adults. If they sense a faculty member is trying to dominate every online discussions or situation, then students begin to withdraw their desire to learn.
A faculty member should ignite a spark of enthusiasm and excitement to initiate discussion topics, but from that point it is important to allow the student to interact with each other and to learn from each other. A faculty member should not attempt to take center stage in an online class. Instead, an online teacher should inspire students to engage in learning and facilitate teaching techniques that stimulate engagement and motivation.
Aaron,
There are a number of tools, synchronous and asynch., that would allow you to "show" the learner how to complete a task. That process can be recorded for students to view, or completed live using video and screen capture technology. I have also used the same technology for students to demonstrate to me, while I walk them through a hands on activity.
Herbert Brown III
I feel my biggest challenge would be not being able to be face to face with the learner to guide them using a hands on approach. Sometimes it is easier to "show" and learner then have them complete the task.
Rhonda,
More synchronous communications CAN increase the perception of instructor presence in the course. However, quick feedback to any student communication (email, posts, etc.) can have just as strong an impact on the perception of instructor presence in a course.
Herbert Brown III
I don't think I will have a problem as I have been teaching online for 17 years. In ground classrooms I there has been a trend to move from lecture to facilitator, especially with older students who want to know how to apply the new knowledge and not just regurgitate it.