I am an exclusive online instructor. I welcome each of my students into the program via telephone once I receive notification of a new student, and follow up with them weekly (either through telephone or email) to ensure they don't feel alone in the program.
I do notice that a few of my students won't contact me if they have questions. I explain to them from the get-go that since we are entirely online, I am unable to look across a classroom for visual cues that a student may be struggling with a concept (or just needs the concept explained a different way). When I do finally get the students to open up they apolgize for not asking sooner because they never want to bother me.
I have tried telling the students that it isn't a bother, I am here to help them, and that their tuition includes my guidance and expertise.
Has anyone else had issues with this kind of reaction in an online course? If so, what are some tips that have worked for you in the past?
