Hello Debbie
Teaching online requires expert time management in addition to the highly developed verbal and written communication skills required of all instructors; classroom and online.
In the on ground setting, communication is a bidirectional process. With online, however, the communication process is asynchronous.
To redirect a floundering student, the instructor must learn how to structure their verbiage so that when read, the student understands what is written in the way you intended it to be understood. This is both a skill and an art.
The online instructor must use voice inflections to assist effective communication. It is the voice that creates the learning atmosphere.
On grounds you have controls. You can walk around the classroom and evoke immediate responses. You can also observe your students’ responses. Online, there are no paths to walk and there are no traditional on ground methodologies that can apply.
Your voice and the written words are your tools. You must practice effective vocal delivery. Your words must be structured to speak to the student not at the student. Both techniques require repetition to perfect but that reiteration also leads to improvement.
Walter Clement
