I have always counted of seeing the facial expression of students and their body language as the class unfolds. I think that it might be a little challenging not to have that. I will have to learn new ways.

what is expected of the student throughout the semester.

15-17 would be the optimal student/instructor ratio. In an online format, discussion is essential to both the cultivation of new ideas, but also, the internalization of the information just learned. 15-17 students would allow for the right amount of response opportunities, as well as, a wealth of different perspectives. As an instructor, having 15-17 students would provide the opportunity to receive substantive posts most of the time, and posts that indicate that the student has browsed some of the other view points by other students at other times.

Should an instructor be allowed to create his or her own individual syllabus for an online course or be required to use a course syllabus builder created by grating institution agency? In my opinion, I believe that I would prefer to use the course syllabus builder because it allows for fewer mistakes and has been edited and approved by the university's administration. This will allow the instructor to concentrate on facilitating and managing the course and its students.

Why is it important to center the modules and content of an online course around the student?

There are many differences between quite and loud students in the online learning world. Quite students may tend to need more encouragement to ensure their success and participation is welcomed and not discouraged in the online course. On the other hand loud students that talk so much that the quality of the responses does not make any sense on what is being asked by the instructor in the online course. So it is like a swinging pendulum where a happy medium needs to be met. I look at the students making progress on communicating in an appropriate fashion with quality responses. I also appreciate when students respond to other students in the course where their input is highly valued by the instructor.

Synchronous learning is effective and should be used slightly in courses. Asynchronous learning should be used throughout the course where students can post an intelligent, lengthy response to the instructor in the course. Instructors will have time to respond back to the student with feedback on quality responses. Asynchronous must be most effective because this training certificate that we are completing now at CEE is a threaded asynchronous learning tool. So based on the effectiveness on asynchronous learning is the best route to go from my expert opinion including the way this course is designed and used by The Center for Excellence in Education. Point proven!

Student relationships with instructors online need to go no further than the online learning course. Just like face-to-face traditional classroom has fine lines formed so does the online learning world too. You want students to learn about the course material so they can gain support and engage on any questions and comments they may be presented in the course. Instructors need to be reminded that they are in a professional environment where they need to conduct themselves professionally in front of students at all times. Instructors are authoritative figure leaders at academic institutions where they are “always on.”

Which is more effective traditional face-to-face classroom learning or online learning? The very best instructor either online or in the classroom needs to be practiced first. I learned in a traditional classroom with faculty face-to-face interaction for my undergraduate degree. I also had the privilege to learn in an online learning earning my graduate degrees. Presently I teach online where I totally understand face-to-face classroom learning and online learning by being an instructor in the classroom and online. I think it is important to be an effective online instructor to have already taken an online course of some sort to gain the insight hands-on mindset experiences on what the student is going through in the course. The dependence on academic in-class learning has gaps in education. I am a firm advocate on academic learning online. When I had instructors teach me in the classroom traditionally speaking and told the class to read the chapter before they come to class most students did not read the chapter from the textbook at all. The effectiveness of the instructor to student was not really engaging at all. Students figured it was not their major and why should they take much consideration into their learning by reading the chapter ahead of time. I understand that is very sad but that is the way it went. On the other hand you cannot participate in the discussion online if you do not either read the chapter, review a journal, or other communicative ways. I found my experience for online learning to be more effective where students did engage and support their education through the online learning world. At first when I started an online program I was unsure on the effectiveness in online learning. To my surprise I learned more online than I did sitting in a classroom. I guess the only way someone can realize how wonderful and rewarding online learning experiences are is to actually take part in a continuing education, college, or university online course. That is the answer.

What are some effective technology and software that can be used in an online class?

I don't really encounter conflict in my environment. It actually seems more engaging. Students want to help each other.

I have found especially in group projects that there can be an overload of conflict between students. Recognizing each group member's gifts and talents can create a much more harmonious project group

Having a little background on one'sself gets people realizing that this builds relationships in the classroom. I have found as well when I get my students excited about the next week it creates good synergy for the rest of the week

Threaded discussions are the life blood in any asyncrhonous environment. I have found if you can encourage student participation early in the week it can have a huge impact

I am your classic middle child/only girl in the family. I try really hard to avoid conflict at all costs. Do you have a tried and true method for helping deescalate conflicting in the quickest manner possible? Any advice is appreciated.

One of the things covered in this module was having synchronous chats occur one on one. What if I am not afforded that luxury and it is required that I do class wide synchronous chats? Is there a way to make them more interactive and more personal? Also, is there a way to encourage avoidant/dependent students to participate in the classroom discussions/chats? Is there some sort of "tangible" incentive that can be used? Ideas are welcome!

I know that I posted information in the last forum on technologies that help in the online classroom. I have a good idea for a bio maker. Try using prezi.com or jing (screencast.com). These are great tools to make your bio more interactive. I'd highly suggest trying it.

I've worked almost exclusively in online higher education. I am pretty familiar with the technology and ideas behind them. I'd like to share a few programs with you that are helpful to me in the online environment: Jing Animoto Edutopia.org These are helpful to me...and I think the they will be to you too.

Closing the loop provides a way to evaulate online courses and to make imporvements as needed.

Feedback is important to help the student assess their learning throughout the course of online teaching.