I have learned some of the indicators of online learning is for students to communicate not only on an academiclevel, but on a personal level. Working together towards the goals of the course is what they are "supposed" to be doing. It is imperative to have guidelines for students to understand what is expected of them and what types of behaviors are prohibited. Having Clear expectations statement will offer students with set of rules and regulations as a valuable directive. Because, Sometimes they talk about their personal lives (families, hobbies, jobs), their triumphs and trials with being adistance student (scheduling, technical problems, disagreement with pedagogy), when they seek each other's counselfor other areas of their life (job change, which elective course to take next, family issues), this is the point at which wefeel they are comfortable as a community. This is not to say we will become best friends. But to have guidelines for them to follow will help students to be on track.
