I have Learned that there are different types of LMS platforms to use. The one that I use is ideal for what I am doing with my current students. Modules are the other option, but it seems that would be more beneficial If my class was offered online from the start. 

It is important to have procedures set in place for all people who are taking your course to understand and be able to go back and check through. If these are in place, when there is something that arises that goes against the expectations that are mentioned or communicated, there should be an immediate solution. If I am teaching the class, I am the enforcer of the expectations.

I have leaned that asynchronous meetings are best because students can all learn from one another in that instance. Synchronous meetings are needed only for one on one conversations. Tone is very hard to understand when looking at letters instead of a persons face in real time. We can protect against misunderstandings in tone by using colors, boldings and acronyms to help others get a feeling for what is being said.

I had an idea about having a strong presense in an online environment to begin with. I think that it make sense that an instructor should be virtually present by commenting on student work and postings. Something that I did not account for was the fact that too much commenting is unnecessary and may deter students from participating, especially with middle school students. I believe they want to feel that the learning atmosphere is mostly theres with the presense of a facilitator in the background. I also did not think of posting cradentials so that students can see. I do… >>>

When teaching in an interactive learning environment, it is important to show yourself as present in all aspects of the course. Students must see you commenting often, and know that you are working to enhance their online learning environment. You also have to make sure to be timely and structured in the way that the environment is managed. In other words, student grades should be updated regularly, and students should have an idea of what is currently happening, what is happening next and what the overall goal of each module of the class is. You have to make decisions based… >>>