Get Your Students Hired
I appreciate that this section shared that a number of online learners are not comfortable using technology. I recall when I first found out that I had students who "never had a computer" and those who never used the internet or Microsoft products I was stunned, however over the years have come to realize this is something that will continue to happen over and over.
In my first term class I teach one class a week, which allows me to review the concept for a large portion of the time we share and use the last 20-30 minutes for assignment details and "how to" elements. In week one I share how to save a file and where to upload it, week two how to create formatting, etc. Each week they are taken out to my desktop to share step by step processes, which they can follow by going back to the recording when class ends.
I know this has been very helpful for many, however I am thinking about creating these to play in the classroom and always have available. Has anyone done this? If so, did you find it easiest to create in Adobe, JING or some other program?
Thanks for your thoughts and insights.
@Bklyngrl Wouldit help the students to take a computer skills assessment before actually starting the class?
It is interesting that this course is focused on retention of students online, as that is directly tied to the issue of enrolling students who, frankly, have no business in an online college course. I have had a number of students who are using a computer for the very first time, who have no knowledge of how to use a word processing program, save a document, or attach a document, much less how to use the Internet or the other resources available to them. I want to contact the person who enrolled them in my class and ask them what they were thinking.
But I know the answer to that...they have to enroll a certain number of students each month to meet a quota.
As an adjunct, I don't have the time to teach a student how to use a computer. I do my best in providing students with job aids and videos to help them along, but I'm not teaching Computers 101. I really wish that those on the enrollment side would more carefully consider whether a student is ready for online classes, or if the student even needs to go to college. There are plenty of options for additional training that don't involve the expense and the heartache that too often follows enrollment in a program for which one is not suited.
Karen & all, I too have many students who enter my class (1st for our university) and do not have any computer skills. Some of them do not even have the correct software installed - which is supposed to be required as part of orientation. I feel that I spend so much time helping these students get prepared, which takes away from the other students who were hoping to go above and beyond in the course. I typically take time with my first lecture to show them how to open and launch Word, Excel & PowerPoint. I also have "How-To" documents for all aspects of the classroom posted in my instructor files. I continue to bring this up in staff meetings as well as a concern - as do my other collegues.
I have recorded several things in Adobe for "long term" training purposes.
Thanks & Good Luck!
It is extremely disheartening to have students in online college classes who have little or no technology skills and state they want to major in an IT program. I first ask, where's the motivation?
I'd like to see the student show some self-motivation by having that inquisitive nature about learning some computer basics which would at least, fuel the desire for an IT degree.
With that said, we use Adobe connect to demonstrate downloading and installing open source development frameworks and programming using these frameworks. Needless to say, technology skills are required.
However, as an additional resource, we do offer Workshops where a student can receive the additional help in learning the technology skills required in an online learning environment. Then, it is up to the student to take advantage of these workshops. They must be self-motivated.
Karen, In response to your school's requirement that you provide your personal contact information to your students, here's what could be considered an acceptable alternative.
Create a Google email account specifically for your students to contact you and for you to interact with them. Then, setup Google Voice on that email account, select a local phone number and have the calls either routed to your email or to your mobile phone or both.
This way, you have a specific email account and phone number associated with your students for communication and relives you from providing your personal information.
Use the technology to your advantage. It's worked well for me in a similar situation.
Its important for teachers not to assume that every student has the same knowledge of computers. As each student receives their first computer at different times in their lifes, parents who have assisted them with programs or even how they might or might not even used a computer in their high schoo.
Chantee ,
You are right. I used to think I just would tell students it was their issue as the lack of computer skills will be a barrier. Now, I may not work on the skill set but I have tutorials and videos to help remediate the situation.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree with you when you spoke about being stunned that some students have vey little to no computer knowledge. I to have experienced that in my online teaching and have found that their limited knowledge can create problems in the online educational world.
Karen,
There is an article in the Chronicle that talks about colleges not preparing students and I think we have to be careful as students will try to get others to do their work many times. We want them to learn the technology as they will use it again!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I agree, I think we do a great disservice when we spoon feed students. I agree for first term we must aid them more than in other courses, however in one school I am "allowed" for lack of a better word, to point students in the direction however in another school it is frowned upon.
If we do not teach students how to identify resources and seek out the answers, we are not creating a collegial environment...just my humble opinion. :-)
Karen,
I am surprise how much responsibility is placed on instructors regarding to student learning; particularly in a student center environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sorry I am not clear on what this is a response to. As indicated this is also done in f2f, however while I agree students should be contacted at the start, once we are in week 4 of 5 or 7 of 9 and the student has not yet chosen to engage, blaming the instructor for "not doing their job" whether ground or online is unfair.
I agree! Now if we could get everyone (including some teachers that make those of us that take the time) to realize, you cannot "do this" in an hour or two! :-)
Thanks for your comments Dr. Kelly.
Karen,
That is interesting. Why don't we do this for our f2f students. We have to make students responsible for their own learning. That means they have to be ready to learn.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Karen,
I can't imagine how frustrating it is for you and other adjuncts. NPR's Diane Rehm show had a podcast that discussed the plight of adjuncts. Oh, by the way, you are responsible for student success! Good teaching of any kind takes time.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
This has never been the case in any of my online schools and I have worked for about 10 online schools over the years. The bigger challenge online is the schools' expectation that the adjunct has the time to reach out to every student that does not show up to class. This is added work to someone who is doing this part time, though not something I have never run into in ground schools either. :-)
Not frustrated, but overwhelmed at times. I think the schools need to understand what hiring an adjunct, versus a full time instructor means. Of late the constant changes and [almost] daily "new" things to follow can be difficult to keep track of. As well, many schools underestimate the time it takes to grade and time to get all the moving parts working. Even though my classes are standardized, I add a great deal of my own touches - I have considered no longer doing so due to the time involved (and having it rarely appreciated by the schools themselves) but I like giving a bit more.
In one school they estimate that it will take 2-3 hours to grade, however I am still trying to figure out how you can have unique grading for over 50 students, two assignments weekly, in under 3 hours - it takes me approximately 15 minutes per assignment, per student [to read, construct, proof and finalize feedback] which would be 15 * 2 * 30 (lets say not everyone does their work) which is 900 minutes or 15 hours of grading per class. Add that to 1-3 hours daily to respond to emails, get in discussion boards, post announcements, etc (I rarely take off more than one day a week, if I do) at the average that is an added 14 hours a week, for a total of 29 hours a week in one class. If I attempt to teach 4 classes so I can live on the wage, that is 116 hours a week at work. Leaving me 52 hours for the week to sleep, eat, shower, have a life. Wow...I might have just convinced myself again it may be time to get a job at McDonald's. lol
Sorry, as you can see this is a hot button. :-)
Karen,
Do you become frustrated with this? I also know the life of an adjunct is not glamorous. It is really difficult particularly when you piece "gigs" together.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Karen,
That is a great post. You are right, many of the institutions have "out of the box" courses with no deviation. This is to keep the standards equal and anyone can teach it. The other issue is when students try to do the work on other media including a computer at the library, the instructor is usually blamed regarding the "technology failure" when it was never the technology.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson