Vicki Hoppe

Collaboration and Problem Based Learning (PBL) help students to develop critical thinking skills.

Reading, reflective writing, games, group activities or individual asynchronous activities using wiki or similar technology for active learning is effective to engage the on line learner.  

It may take instructor more time to plan and implement active learning than straight lecture.  Students may resist the active learning preferring passive learning.  It is important for the instructor to set the expectations of the class and let the students know active learning will be included in the course, what that means, and why it will help them to learn.

Help the students avoid the pitfall of procrastination.  Encourage students to develop schedules that work for them and stick to the schedules to get assignments done on time or even better to work ahead.

Many people think on line learning is easy and less time consuming than the traditional classroom.  It is not. 

There are many technological tools that can be used for synchronous and asynchronous communication.  No matter what formats are used the instructor will be wise to provide "how to" guides for the technology used in the specific classroom.  

Synchronous communication for an online course can be more challenging to accomplish due to time zones and variable schedules.  Using web conferencing and white boards are more engaging than an audio only conference.

Students need guidelines on how to communicate with the instructor and the classmates.  Communication leads to more communication.

The instructor is responsible to help the students remain motivated.  

I have taken on line courses and understand how easy it is to get behind when life events get in the way and time management goes by the wayside.    

On line learner types are the same as in the classroom.  You may have a procrastinator, an intimidator, and a noisy learner.  Be knowledgeable of the policies for handling such students and act fast before the problem gets too big that it needs to be escalated if at all possible.  Do not tolerate intimidating behavior from a student toward classmates or to myself as the instructor.  

Use asynchronous discussions for important, key, concepts because of the different schedules and time zones of the students.  Synchronous discussions, chats, should be limited to an individual or small work group within the class.  

In the classroom you have nonverbal communication but online you don't.  you have only the written word unless posting a video, even then there are subtleties that may not be transferred to the audience.  Read and reread posts before you click send.

A great way to introduce yourself and gain the respect of the students is to post a short biography of your academic and professional background.  The students can do the same to introduce themselves to the instructor.  

I'm not sure why the instructor needs to send a welcome message to each individual student.  The instructor in the classroom on site does not have an initial conversation with each student.  She introduces herself to the class as a whole and has individual conversations on an as needed basis throughout the course.  Why not do the same in the online environment?