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

Some students wait till the last day to submit their main responses to the discussion question thereby not participating fully in the discussion topic and denying others of early contribution of their own perspectives to the subject matter. How would you evaluate such students?

In order to maintain presence in the classroom, do you think an instructor should respond to posts by every student?

California student recently sued his school and teacher for earning grade of C+;see link below. How can we manage student grade expectation because everyone expects to make "A" even with mediocre performance? http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/07/calif-student-sues-teacher-district-over-c-grade/

I am stunned by the number of students whom have reported that their instructors are not in contact with them due to the fact that they are in a virtual environment. I believe that instructors should go above and beyond because of the online environment.

When does the facilitating end and the effort on the part of students begin? Can we over-facilitate so that we are the ones doing most of the communicating and encouraging? We need to be sure students understand the expectations that responsibility and commitment involve, and we need to encourage students who try to draw out and help others in discussions, etc. Otherwise, it is easy to burnout.

I am shocked when I hear from students that many teachers don't' respond to their emails or calls. I try to respond to emails 5 times per day (okay a bit obsessive), and I am always thanked profusely for this. Why do you think many educators don't respond to students? By the same token, I can't understand why some students don't respond after I help them in replies. I think we need to teach email etiquette in schools; if you get an email, respond, if only to say "Thanks"!

At one of my schools, which has both hybrid and online classes, we are being told that with the burgeoning online system of education, we need to make available many more virtual classes (despite an economy that seems to be challenging both in-seat and online enrollment in all of my schools). I love the live interaction of a classroom, but the idea of online teaching becoming more prevalent intrigues me as I consider retiring into the mountains and continue to travel around the world. What do you all think of this trend?

Use of clouds create a virtual enviroment surplanting almost all old styles of communicaiton I use Drop box forall classes and students anyone have a cloud they prefer to use Bill

the types of students that where discussed in this module are the same type of students that you would get in the classroom.I think it would be much harder to notice the different types of students of students with an online class at first. You really have to get to know your classroom online as well as in the classroom.

Feedback from an instructor is very important with online classes. I feel this makes the students know that you are avavilbe for them and that you are present.

I feel that online learning could be difficult for some people. If you are a person who needs to be ino a classroom taking notes well listening to the instructor, online learing is not for them. They may have a difficult time comprehending what they are reading and not understand the course at all. Online learinging does have its ups and downs. The plus side of it is that if you have a family you could really make up your own schedule for your class time rather then being in a class room from this time to this time. And the down side is if your someone who gets more out of being in the classroom.