This blog entry relates to the reading for Week 6 in my Principles for Online Education Course at NYU. The article start out by addressing the need for more structure and support from the standard classroom environment where the teacher can use enthusiasm to get by. I personally disagree with this part as I teach in a traditional environment and find that being enthusiastic alone doesn’t work. Feedback from students is crucial in order to know if they understand not only the material but the technology as it can be challenging at times. The article suggests that new instructors see how assessments are done in other courses. Creating an online teaching journal is an excellent way to see one’s own teaching progress. Getting feedback throughout the course is important too, in the beginning, midterm and end. Outside entities from the district can be brought in to help you with this. Even an online suggestion box that is anonymous can be helpful. The “One-Minute-Threads” asks students to write three things in one minute such as their feelings towards the class in regards to what the understood and did not as well as any other comment. On line polling is another way to elicit responses to questions. Have a focus group where students meet together either virtually or in person to discuss the course or any topic. A mid semester assessment on the student’s part can be done to see what and how they are learning. Even more succinct is the one sentence reaction line where students write about their attitude towards the class. Have students write their own test questions from which a few will be chosen. It is important to respond to students quickly and succinctly. Constructive comments are important as they get the students engaged in learning their work. In order to get students interested in the work allow them to clarify your knowledge and background in the subject. Most important, it is necessary to show that you are learning too. Online courses should have clear deadlines and the instructor should make every effort to “be there” albeit virtually for the students. A final assessment should be made as well.
After reading this article I have found that there is much to learn in the facilitation of the online course. I look forward to using some of these techniques and transitioning from teaching in a more traditional setting to the online learning space.
Interesting comments about feedback. While I totally agree that ongoing (before, during and after) feedback is crucial, it is sometimes challenging or impossible to implement. I facilitate a 5-day orientation programme (“regular classroom”), during which I implemented the ongoing feedback: that worked very well. However, for 2-hour workshops, I do not see how I can do so, except by asking students how they are feeling, if they understand, if they have any questions, etc.(and by looking at their puzzled face can also help!
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In an online classroom, I tried to implement quick polls, but students got lost, as they were not very familiar with the use of Webex. But I am sure I can improve this tool for my next sessions, taking into account the tips we learnt in our class.
Comment by Anne — March 14, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
It sounds like a 2 hour seminar doesn’t allow much time to address anything but the topic at hand. I would try the one-line or 3 minute expressions to let students say what they feel.
Comment by uwsderblog — March 16, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
Interesting, though, that the feedback needs to be carefully structured, or it can be useless, too. Notice in our course, we are asked not, ‘what did you like’ but ‘what part of the coourse was most engaging?’ or ‘what was the single muddiest point in the lesson tonight.
Structuring the feedback is important – most people being surveyed think it is about how they feel – but I think it is about ‘what they learned’ or ‘what prevented them from learning?’
—Russ
Comment by russgifford — March 16, 2009 @ 1:09 am