Get Your Students Hired
I have wondered about the topics of behavior and attrition. How will I know why a student drops a course?
Teachers need to be cognizant of the different types of learner profiles. Effective communication is the key to limit conflict and there are
various strategies that I can use to reduce student attrition : personally contacting the alienated, giving tips for time management for the overwhelmed, helping set priorities for those with competing responsibilities and advice for those experiencing technical issues.
I learned it is important to have a good communication system in e-learning. You will encounter similar behavior problems and/or personal issues as in the traditional classroom. Being able to handle those issues effectively will assist in your online teaching.
I appreciate the thorough suggestions of how to deeal with a variety of behaviors as well as how to provide feedback to retain the students due to a variety of circumstances such as lack of interaction or technical difficulties.
Reply to Robyn Parker's post: I agree, on line learning poses different types of issues. The tips for helping resolve some of these issues was very helpful.
Check in with students that are not participating. Find out if it's technical difficulties, not knowing the guidelines, etc. Monitor discussions and make sure they are appropriate.
Many of the traits of good online instruction are the same a conventional instruction. How to adapt those to the online platform is very informative
Teaching is an art that allows individuals to teach the same content but in their own way. Although there is freedom to teach however you please, it is important to familiarize yourself with the institution's policies as it regards to the online course. Effective communication with your students will also play a major and key factor in the overall success of online teaching.
I now see the similarities of students and there interactions with their instructor are alike in the traditional classroom and online learning.
I learned that all the e learners need to be involved and along with delivery or information the facilitator needs to keep track of students communication, recognizing that procrastinator or non involved learners can be brought along with reinforcement from the instructor. The instructor needs to be aware of possible signs of attrition and try and be preemptive
I have learned that behavorial issues can also be of great challengie in online teaching and may include situations such as a learner being noisy, quiet, disruptive, procastinator and so on. I will try and apply strategies covered in this topic to deal with the behavioral issues whenever I encounter them. I will also ensure that I alway consult the my institution's code of conduct and policies before I take any action. I will also be documenting any cases that I deal with.
Teaching students is teaching students no matter the platform. It's doing what's best for students. The same techniques apply: Communication in all forms; must be genuine, encouraging, consistent, organized and effective. Knowing students: Virtual learning may increase time in getting to know the students, but it is still applicable as it helps avoid alienation and creates a realtionship tht fosters learning. Behavior Management--learning to engage those that are avoiding the e-learning environment, learning to manage the dominate participants Conflict Management , Policies & Procedures.
I learnt effective ways of keeping keeping course records, effective communication with students, councelling, dealing with undesirable student behaviors, resolving conflict and managing attition.
It was interesting to learn that conflict is an integral part of an effective and dynamic e-learning component.
It was surprising that disruptive behavior would occur in an on-line class.
Reply to Holly Voss's post:
Great points. I don't anticipate students that will disrupt, but I do anticipate those that are likely to not participate or those that will procrastinate. I liked the strategies suggested.
In Module 4, there were great strategies for dealing with problems that may arise - the biggest one that I anticipate is the procrastinators. I like the strategies for dealing with their excuses.
I know that there will be those that challenge the learning envirnoment and this module was helpful in how to handle it. Especially the different types of learner. I have encountered the nosiy one already.
The importance of having an organizational scheme to support being able to locate and retrieve students' documentation, assignments, emails, etc efficciently.