A reminder that technology has enabled content to be delivered to students in many ways, reading remains one of the keyways students acquire information. Online students will read supplemental material if it is focused and brief so that when completed, students feel that they have acquired new information so selected need to be specific and targeted.
Having guest speakers increase students interests and can reinforce the content being taught by making connections and applications of the content between the course and the real world. The inclusion of guest lecturers is a way to increase student interest in the course as they get to hear and learn from someone in their field. Asking questions prior and giving to the guest speaker and in return giving the information back allows us to answer questions for students.
Synchronous chats are the equivalent of the best of lively class discussions in an online environment and offers interactions that are stimulating, synergistic and insightful. These sessions: however, need to be planned and delivered in a way to engage the students and help them see value in meeting as a class.
I find that asynchronous chats do not take place at the same time and allows students to progress at their own rate and on their own time. Self-guided lesson modules, pre-recorded video content, virtual libraries, lecture notes and online discussion boards or social media platforms. Many times, the two of them are synched together; however, teachers constantly need to survey students to determine that their learning needs are being met and that they are not feeling left out of or falling behind the learning process and keep them engaged. A lot of great information that is unknown, known, and/or reinforced.
