Most important is to manage their time. Online they don't have set class attendance times like in a F2F classroom. Many wait till last day assignments are due & last 4 hours before deadline to submit assignments. If their is a technical problem with system they may not get assignments in.
Reading: reading their textbook, learning materials, and carefully the directions to the assignments.
Listen to live or recorded chats. These can explain the assignments, answer questions, and help the student to succeed.
Email your Professor when you have a question. There are no dumb questions.
Use Learning labs and tutoring if available.
William,
Great observation. Timing is everything. Many online courses are shorter duration and students don't really think of that. Also, what is it about not reading the text? I see that in both my online and f2f course. It is not a good strategy.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hello Dr. Wilkinson,
All of the seven principles of learning listed by Chickering and Ehrmann are important. If I were to choose the most important of the seven, I would choose, first, encourage active learning. Learning takes place when the student is engaged and actively participates, if not directs, their own learning. When they are mature and aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, they can create the approach to learning that is most effective for them.
The next two I would choose would be to encourage contact between students and instructor; and to develop reciprocity and cooperation among students. Students often learn from one another more readily that with instructors. However, they should feel comfortable in approaching their instructors with any questions or concerns that might arise as they move through the course.
Best wishes,
Michael Luzius
Michael ,
Don't you just love the seven principles? The reason I do is that it pertains to any teaching; online or f2f. Active Learning is so important and our course design. You want to engage them!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I emphasize active learning and prompt/frequent formative feedback. I view the other activities as part of an active learning environment. All seven principles must be addressed in all cases.
Active learning assumes that students are engaged in exchanging ideas among themselves and with the instructor. Students are encouraged to research and develop their own strategies on how to learn and develop their own answers ore responses based on all information available to the student.
Prompt feedback encourages on-time delivery of assignments, encourages and motivates students to complete their tasks without procrastination, and encourages students to be active learners.
My fundamental goals in any teaching environment are to improve a student's communication skills and to improve their level of critical thinking.
My approach to classroom and online science instruction is influenced by my beliefs about the importance of learning and the unique sociology of the distance learning environment, with particular reference to the nature of science and science laboratory knowledge acquisition by distance learning. While my online instructional philosophy continues to develop, some of my current beliefs and practices are outlined below.
Each student is equally and unconditionally valued and respected, regardless of ability or performance in the virtual classroom, since the virtual environment may be a new style of learning for many students.
Students are given as much support as possible, especially the uniqueness of distance learning. Expectations are clearly stated (i.e., the grading system), and online periods are designed to provide sufficient practice and reinforce-ment of material before testing takes place. Students are praised for correct responses, and are helped when experiencing difficulty.
Students also receive a great deal of support from each other via the discussion board. When a fellow classmate does not know an answer, or is struggling with the material, members of the group often volunteer their help and are encouraged. This type of peer support is strongly encouraged.
Albert,
Great post. You make it a point to emphasize the prompt, frequent, feedback. These are great goals that truly enriches the learning experience.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
ROBERT,
Your post indicates that you work very hard to develop a strong learning community. With clear expectations and a strong sense of community you have created a learning environment that students have a variety of resources in each other. Nice!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The most important principles for me is the contact btw student and instructor because if I know and understand what impedes the student's progress, then I can suggest ways to overcome the obstacles. The communication really covers other principles like the feedback and techniques to encourage active learning.
I agree that all of the principles are important. we have a diverse background of students so they come with their own share of uniqueness.
LaBoore,
I agree with you. How much contact does your students have with each other?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
LaBoore,
Which one is the most challenging to you?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I believe that Encouragement is a critical factor. On several occasions I have been able to encourage students to keep working and driving to complete the course. Most are successful. Online students often get overwhelmed by live events and give up on their classwork because they are striving for perfection and their outside life prevents them from making an "A" on every assignment. With some students, accepting the fact that they may have to look at their time realistically and make some compromises is a necessary step to keep moving forward with their studies. To ensure that encouragement is delivered when needed we also have to be Prompt in our communication and communicate in a way that encourages dialogue.
LE,
Great post. Many times students need to know that someone is on their side. So many times students see instructors in more of an adversarial role and we don't want to be. We are there to be a guide and facilitator.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
LE,
Great post. Many times students need to know that someone is on their side. So many times students see instructors in more of an adversarial role and we don't want to be. We are there to be a guide and facilitator.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
The principles of learning are all paramount for the online facilitation of student learning. What I believe should be a fundamental approach is active learning. Online students that engage with active learning do so because the facilitator is a 'guide on the side' engaging students from their reality. The practice requires the facilitator to be attentive of the learning skills demonstrated in the delivery of the content. Good instructors never forget how to learn and always target the learning skills for reinforcement. This can include a range of learning skills from the individuals learning skill beliefs to proactive involvement and effective management of brain based learning time.
Dr. Glenn ,
Great post. Your comment "good instructors never forget how to learn. . . " that is so important. We, as instructors, need to model that life long learning so students see it in us.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I encourage contact between students and Instructor by emailing my students’ on the first day of class regarding study guide materials, essay writing guidelines, and request students’ to utilize all of the learning resources such as attending learning labs for any problem subject. I email and requests students’ to schedule an appointment with me for tutoring. In addition, I contact students’ weekly via phone and email regarding their course grade below 70%. As for encourage active learning, I create and post different scenarios regarding the weekly discussion topics. Students’ will have an ideal on how to perform their daily tasks and resolve any issues. When providing assignment feedback, I always give a solution on how the student can improve on their weekly assignments. For example, essay includes misspelled words and improper grammar and usage. I ask the student to utilize Word Spell Check command to proofread spelling and grammar & usage. By me utilizing some of the principles listed above, students’ academic progress does improve throughout the course.
S. Sanders
Sabrina,
You have a great set of strategies for your students. How does this affect your workload?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
My strategies do not affect my weekly workload. My goal is for students' to learn, understand, and retain what they learned so that they can successfully passed their weekly tests. By reaching out to my students', it shows that I want them to succeed while they are in school.
S. Sanders
