Melissa,
I understand. Thank you very much.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree. I feel there is always something that you can do to connect with the student. One possibility might be to contact their advisor to reach out and try and start a dialog. Often the student will feel frustrated and feel there is no hope. In these type of situations sometimes a personal phone call is best... sometimes all it take is going that extra mile / effort to show the student that you care and are concerned about their success. Establishing the dialog early is key to making the connection.
Christopher,
I like your optimism and energy. Enthusiastic outreach to students does make a big difference in the online classroom. Multiple channels of communications like personal telephone calls, social networking media, student advisors and even US postal deliveries, are all in use by many teachers. I have had many online instructors indicate the inability to "connect with the student" even after implementing all of the above. This form is a perfect opportunity for creative recommendations. Do you have any additional recommendations beyond the identified list? Thank you for your helpful contributions.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree. Especially with students who are considered the "avoidant" learning types. We have no idea why they are not responding, and if we continue to reach out to them via email encouraging them to join us in class and/or contact us via email they may eventually open up to let us know why they are "avoiding" class and help.
Fortunately my online students are mostly local and I am able to meet with them if they are not responding to offers of help and we can have a sit down and chat to see what I can do to help, but also I like to call them directly and have a private discussion if there is a real problem.
I think that you can try to reach out to the student by calling them on the phone and encouraging them to respond to your offers of help.
However I would also refer them to their Learner Service Advisor to see if they would have a better chance of reaching the student.
Students have to be motivated to take the course and participate.
Amy,
Yes, they may eventually open up. There are also many who do not seem to open up after continuous and extended outreach. Do you have any recommendations or insights to share for assisting these students? Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Kathy,
This is an excellent point. In the hybrid environment, there is often a much smaller rate of "unreachable" students. Keep up the great work.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Kimberley,
Yes, I agree with the perspective he stated as the prevalent situation. Do you see any reason or means to shift the motivation from external to internal for students "to take the course is anticipated?" As adult learners, should we put more effort into empowering them to take responsibility for their own participation? Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I disagree because I can continue to encourage the student by asking the student to see the different announcements I have posted about providing help. These students need extra motivation and I do not or very rarely give up on a student. I may even ask if I could call the student by phone (although this is not required and I make that clear).
John,
Thank you for sharing your insights. Keep up the good work.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
That's tough if the students is not responding back to emails or not participating in the course at all. I continue to reach out, or try to send them few question with some of the topics that they might need help with. Encouraging words is key here, and it makes them respond better if they know you care.
Ola,
Yes, providing extensive encouragement and letting them know you care is sometimes all that is left to be done. Thank you.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Aside from the safety issue, there is an additional reason to use caution for a personal meeting with a student. When I taught at a CEC ground campus, I remember it being mandatory to sign a non-fraternization aggreement. We were not allowed to give any student a ride to the gas station if a student's car broke down. The point was that we could not place ourselves in a position where a student could make an accusation that would create a liability issue for CEC.
Jim,
This is a critical point. Today's world has many entrapments for the unsuspecting.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I will be honest with you, I have little sympathy for students who refuse to help themselves or to receive and use help from me, or some other resources I provide them. If they want to waste their money and time I am not going to stay up nights worrying about what I did and did not do.
I do agree with this. Other than calling, emailing and emailing the student's academic adviser, what can be done? This is not so different from the traditional classroom. I have had students stop attending class and have followed all the "alerting" requirements that are in place for at-risk students without a response.
James,
I agree we need to have the adult learners accept the responsibility for their own learning. Sympathy for them is not a productive response, in fact it can significantly negative consequences. Sometimes the students who come to our institutions haven't had the encouragement or understanding to pursue the correct avenues and they have only been 'punished' for not getting it right. As I stated, I agree with you that sympathy is a poor response to many of the issues. What are some of your more successful avenues of response? Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Barbara,
Encouragement and empowerment are our most significant avenues of influence. We, as instructors, cannot be satisfied with minimal effort in these enterprises. Yet, each adult learner is ultimately responsible for their own learning.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I agree. However, one can send follow-up emails to the Student Support Service, and the student to explain that the student is not responding to my offer for help. I personally would try to send an email, and if possible call the student to show that I am concerned and hopes that s/he accepts the offer.
Dr. Aron
