There are pros and cons to the online environment, and one of the negatives is the loss of "immediacy." When a student has a question, he can raise his hand in class; however, in the online environment, he must wait until the teach logs on or read his or her email (unles it is a synchronous class). The teacher, can however, devote time through the email to fully answer the question, while uploading web content for deeper understanding of the issues. This technique of transcending the traditional to online environment, is a blend that enhances student learning and outcomes. (SLO's) When transferring the traditional content to the web, there is a plethora of educational net resources that can enhance the lecture. Most books today have an online component for the students, even if the course is a traditional (on-campus) one. A true online course, uses an e-text, and all online resources for tests, assignments, posts, and other media-enhanced work. Therefore, there is the traditional class, the blended (or hybrid) class, the online class, and self-learning course, as well.

Discussion must be graded, or the student might not respond. Motivated students always seem to participate; however, there are lazy students, who do the minimum, or none at all. The discussions should be in the syllabus, with a percentage allotted to online threads Discussion posts should be at least four sentences to qualify as a legitimate post. Any responses to classmates must also contain depth of content, in order to included as a full response.

When questions are posed to students for response, there must be guidelines. 1) THree or more original posts that answer the initial questions. 2) Three or four posts, responding to a classmate. 3) Redirect students back to the original questions, if they go off on a tangent. 4) Instructor should guide students to explore the topic, in depth. 5) Students should learn more through the discussion, by writing a "conclusion" posting. You must also watch out for "plagaiarism" in the threads as well.

ASsessment tools and assignments can easily be plagiarized in an online environment. To avoid this, you must include not only multiple chocie questions but short essay answers as well withcontent from the class that is unique to the class. This will discourage any outside source theft, if the tests and assignments are customized specifically to the content of the course. For instance: When teaching a course on Shakespeare, a posting assignment could ask for reflection or commentary on the overall ideas regarding, "Shakespeare, the Man," culled only from the discussions in class. This could be shared in the blog or posting area. Only class-issued parameters would help to avoid plagiarism. ANy other sources brough t in from outside would be cited. How do you keep material within the parametrs, and discourage siblings, friends or paper mills from assisting with the assignment? You keep the assignment class-based.

I use the welcome e-mail as a standard and have experienced,"the welcome", to be an awesome tool for establishing open communications and trust initially with students. This method also provides me with opportuity to observe the students level of written communications and computer proficieny as well.

The student that is noisy can be handled by having them stay busy. If they provide a response to a discussion board assignment, I will ask additional questions and request they document their responses. Usually if they do not will repeat the response, and as they research and document their answers I may change the facts and ask additional questions and request the student to support the follow up response with scholarly sources.

What should be done in my view is to engage the student by asking questions. How did they arrive at a specific solution, did they think about other possibilities. The idea is to have them think for themsleves and defend reasoned responses.

What I do is log on at least twice a day, in the early morning hours and late evenings to ensure that I contact and or respond to postings on the class threads tiemly within the same day. It can be a challoenge in light of the number of students in the classes that can range from 25 to 35, but it seems to help with retention in my opinion.

What I do in managing the threaded discussions is to ask questions, challenge students to think beyond the assigned task or fact pattern. Many times a students wants to arrive at the correct answer when in social sciences there are no exact or correct answers, especially in the area of law.

I attempt to manage noisy student by engaging them in leadership roles in group assignment or in live chat opening remarks.

Delineate the best online teaching tools. Audio? video? live chat, discussion board assignment? group project? etc.

How would you structure your course schedule and what would you emphasize in your communications to students? Hybrid class facilitators need to consolidate f2f facilitation tools with the online facilitation tools. As stated above the facilitator should delineate and communicate his/her class rules in advance. Facilitator must post class greetings, syllabus, expectations, requirements, announcements, feedback, grading rubrics and grades on a timely manner.

1) If you have taught hybrid classes in the past, please share your approach. What points from the presentation resonate with your experiences? Are there any practices from the presentation that you will incorporate into your classes? I have taught hybrid courses via distant learning and very few online styles. On the distant learning style I interacted with learners via teleconferencing communication means. It was a great way to meet and raise difficult issues and concepts among participants. On the online style we meet f2f four times during the session. I found it more convenient to adult learners. It is very important to online teaching to set up the class rules in advance and to post your requirements, announcements, feedback, grading rubrics and grades on a timely manner.

This issue has two parts. If you have experienced a ride on the tube (the subway system) in London you were probably surprised by the kind reminder when the train arrives at the station. As the train stops you are reminded to "Mind the Gap," the gap being the distance between the train and the station platform. A gentle reminder issued by polite voice than warns you to be careful and watch your step when leaving the train. An article in CFO Magazine issues a similar warning to Mind the Gap (see http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/2989286/c_3046523?f=magazine_coverstory) between earnings and cash flows. The article warns of a potential disconnect between earnings and cash flow that is important when analyzing a company's performance. After reading the article, answer the following questions: 1. Do companies have some flexibility in recognizing gains from sales of assets? Give an example of how that could affect growth. 2. How could outsourcing impact growth in cash flow? Give an example of how outsourcing affected growth in cash flow. ---------------------------------------- Instructor Notes: Part 1: The article points out several examples of flexibility in recognizing gains or losses on sales used by companies that allow them to manage reported income and operational cash flow growth. Companies can, within limits, report some items that may be nonrecurring as operational items rather than extraordinary items. For example, Texas Instruments used a gain on a sale to reduce its sales and general administration expense. This boosted operating income. Part 2: Companies that do all or most of their own manufacturing require higher levels of investments in assets. If you compare their results to companies that outsource manufacturing, firms that do their own manufacturing chew up more cash flows. The level of cash flows will be higher for an outsourcing firm. While level of cash flows will be higher for the outsourcing firm, potential issues of risk such as quality control could be different.

I teach at least 20 sections of online courses throughout the year - what are some of the best practice used to keep student engaged, even if they aren't very active in the course space?

What are some techniques for dealing with the noisy student? Please explain.

What are some techniques for keeping students engaged throughout the term? Please explain.

What are some strategies for promoting and encouraging respect among online learners?

I am interested in getting some insights as to encouraging and promoting online collaboration among students. What do you think? Why?

Some students (intimidators)would actually inform you that they have made straight “As”in all previous courses and if they do not make A in your course, it will deny them a 4.0 grade point. Do you think that perception of grades have changed to the extent that a solid grade of B is viewed by students as failing grade? Austin Umezurike