Completely agree. We have subject matter experts write the course in conjunction with course developers and designers. We ask instructors, students and administrators for feedback on the course design. You need everyone's input so that the course is engaging, up-to-date and relevant for a variety of audiences.

I like the reference to peer-to-peer, instructor and self-analysis. I had a 360 assessment done. You learn so much about yourself, both positive and negative. It really helps in indentifying your strengths and understanding how to compensate for your weaknesses.

Huma, your statement that life can be very lonely online defines our student population. Keeping them engaged is our number one focus. If the student looses focus, they become an at-risk student. Once the student is an at-risk student, it is difficult to get them re-engaged. Teacher interaction (or sometimes any interaction such as gaming) is helpful in keeping the student motivated and engaged.

This is so true of our online demographic! Speak to the student the way they like to be receive communications. Ask the student how they like to receive communications - home email, text, phone call, etc. When you need to send a mass communication, do it in several different mediums - announcement on the portal, email, text, etc.

Hi Bill and Cristy,

I have noticed that if a student feels as though another participant has already stated their thoughts or ideas, then it is not worth their time to make a post in a discussion forum. And it also is true if no one has posted, students do not want to be the first to put their ideas out there. There seems to be a fear factor of 'what other people might think'. As much as we may think this is not true, it plays a HUGE factor in student participation. I know when I took online… >>>

Today's online student is far different than the one 5 years ago. The student expects that everything in the classroom is accessible just as their apps, email and news are accessible on their phone. Does this take away from the student experience, the learning experience if students do everything on their phone?

It seems that the student of today expects to go through an application whereby they experience learning through activities and not necessarily by their own experimentation with writing and exploring resources.

I found this course on project management to be very helpful in planning my course evaluations for 2015!