Get Your Students Hired
I feel that my biggest challenge would be not having face-to-face discussions. I like to answer questions for the students to ensure they have clarity of the information given. Online classes are great but there is still that downfall with technology because it takes away from human interaction.
I think that the biggest challenge I face consistently is the students' fear of online learning. I constantly address students' concerns that the contents of the course are not suitable for online learning. That is why I try to introduce various teaching strategies such as live video presentations and other forms of collaborative tools in order to provide some synchronous activities for students. This way, students see me and are better able to relate to my tone. This seems to help tremendously.
A big challenge is to understand that not all students will choose to actively engage in more discussion than is required. In an average sized class, there will be those who enjoy managing the discussion and ask probing questions to encourage additional dialogue. Then there are those who hang out at the sidelines, posting the bare minimum. Those are the students who require additional attention to help bring out their confidence to actively participate.
I like to ask students follow-on questions that will allow them to relate the introduced concept to their work environment. This will provide them a stage to demonstrate their expertise in an area that may not be as familiar to the instructor.
Cynthia,
That is a good point. A college success course could be the main factor in the students' future success or failure in college coursework. Helping them understand the different paradigm is critical for their success. It doesn't mean you never are a sage, at times you do have to present materials to them; however, the majority of time is spent guiding them in their learning.
Herbert Brown III
By the way I really like that: transition from being the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side." Creatively put and to the point. I think the biggest challenge is to be supportive at all times and an enforcer when needed without being overbearing. Since each student has different expectations and interpretations of my written word, I will sometimes make it clear the this is a "Friendly reminder" or place an emoticon...anything to communicate what I need to and to end with a light and upbeat note.
Though I understand the idea of being a "guide on the side", I think students expect a "sage on the stage". Because of this, the challenge is guiding people who have spent at least 12 years being led.
Many people think college success courses are not crucial but they can be the conduit by which we help online students understand this shift from the traditional autocracy classroom.
Dr. Vessel
I send welcome emails before the start of each class. In the note, I discuss the class and my role in it. I use the word facilitator. I don’t see myself as “sage on the stage.†I am to help them through the maze of online; I try to erase the teacher-student paradigm. I am to help them through the course to make it easier, let them know the pitfalls of discussion forums, class Projects, group Projects and the important of the Chats, especially the first 10 minutes.
Ruby,
Great point. Even online students do value that personal touch and interaction. Sometimes we can get that connection through online video conferencing and sometimes through a phone call. Whatever works to connect on a personal level with the students.
Herbert Brown III
Hello Herbert,
I have taught a mixture of live classes and online classes, and I will say it is a little more challenging when teaching online classes. I do offer my biography and personal Blog messages with my picture attached. It is sometimes difficult to determine the tone of their phone call or email to gauge the amount of stress they are going through personally and academically. I do find that all it takes is a quick phone call to them to ease their stress. There is something about them talking one-on-one with their instructor that brightens their day.
Ruby Whitehead
Dan,
Why not do a lot of synchronous, LIVE class sessions to get that same effect. Record them for the students that can't connect LIVE. You don't have to give up the great things you do in a face to face class just because it went online. Look at all of the tools at your disposal and create the same interactive learning environment online that you have in a traditional classroom.
Herbert Brown III
The biggest challenge is the lack of face to face human interaction. I am very animated and enthusiastic when I am teaching on-ground. This can bring even the least interested student into engagement. It is a big challenge to express that enthusiasm over the internet.
I currently do not have this technology. However I will look into using these features in another way.
Daneen,
I also teach writing courses online, but I was concerned that I was doing all their work with track changes and all they had to do was "accept" the changes and resubmit their work. Now I use the "inking" feature in Word with my tablet PC and stylus and I mark up their papers using proofreading marks as I normally would with a printed copy, save my comments and provide them to the students. That way they have to go back and fix everything indicated.
Herbert Brown III
The biggest challenge that I feel that I have as a guide on the side is that I do not have the same capabilities that I would have if I were working with a student in person. I have found ways to compensate for this difficulty.
For example, in a traditional classroom setting, I sat with students and assisted them in editing and revising their essays.
However, in an online classroom, I use Microsoft's Track Changes to edit and revise a students' work in hopes that they will implement the changes to improve their scores on the assignments given.
Jerrod,
Do you find that your students feel you are "present" in their class using these tools? I use similar tools and techniques and my students always comment that they love the videos and they do feel connected with the course.
Herbert Brown III
I make sure to check in with my students every other day in my online classes. Because I have taught on ground and online I have to blend the idea of my classroom methodology. I record lectures and include a camera image or live webcam to go along with it to offer visual aids. I also post my lectures and powerpoints.
I think the biggest challenge is having students who may be fearful of connecting with me when they feel lost. While I always continually provide reassurance of my "presence" to help and guide whenever necessary, I still cannot see the look on their face as they work through the content.... which can be quite telling of a students emotional confidence with the material.
The biggest challenge for me will be, not being able to see when a student checks out or disengages. I will not have the luxury of reading their body language or face expressions. So recognizing a student in trouble will only be obvious when their assignments are late or not submitted at all. Perhaps dialog in a discussion forum with each student on their progress will help in this area.
Scott,
Can you be more specific, I am not sure I understand your complete argument.
Herbert Brown III
It is drilling down and seeing where the root questions are. Since they absorbed content on their own, you are not 100% sure in the process they broke down. They might have a question on one item, but really its several items back that they need to get caught up on.