I find that the asynchronous discussions are much more engaging then the synchronous chats. I have seen what students posts and it's very impressive to see how they interact with one another. The synchronous chat seem to drag on and in some cases no one seems to show up?

I encourage my staff email students as soon as possible. I want the students to feel as if the online instructor is right there. I ask all my instructors to answer their students within 2 hours of a response.

When I structure my courses on blackboard, I make sure all the tabs are the same. I provide a technical support tab for those students who need help as well.

It is so important to understand the personalities or your students. This will help you know how to communicate and share information with your students.

What are the steps to take to get a good grade

When the content of the course is out of your hands, how do you go about revising its content and delivery?

Aside from using your knowledge and textbook to provide feedback, what other resources or methods have you found to be helpful in providing meaningful feedback?

Have any of you had the experience where your institution gave you a pre-made syllabus, and you had input and feedback concerning the improvement of the syllabus? How did you go about doing this?

This unit, on technology tools, brings to my mind the term Digital Citizenship! According to Terri Heick (Director of TeachThought) the definition of digital citizenship is “the self-monitored habits that sustain and improve the digital communities you enjoy or depend on." The characteristics of students in this digital age (digital citizens) are numerous. Some of those that I find to be of applicable to this unit on technology tools are: 1. Include all who wish to join. A wiki would allow this to occur. 2. Disseminate useful information. A digital portfolio would enable this to occur. 3. Create. A student could create through a blog, wiki, videocast, or podcast... just to name a few. It is amazing to me to think that just over a decade ago I would not of considered such a term as Digital Citizenship! Terry Stanley

Some students do not feel that onlikne classes is good for every subject. How can I decrease their fear of taking any subject online, especially Math.

Have anyone came across one learning style in the online classes? I was just having a discussion with some of my co-workers and wanted others opinion.

I think online and adjunct instructors are in the same slot. Because both are not really on campus that much and have limited access to other faculty members. What can you do to closed the gap?

How effective is a instructor online verus face to face contact? I am considering teaching online and want some feedback.

Instructors should support the learning experience with media like: audio and/or video clips containing focused information, such as background information, this offers the student the ability to learn at their pace.

A good online facilitator allows the instructor to utilize many technology tools but no matter how many tools are used communication is the most important of them. Different techniques can be utilized but in the end the student needs to understand what they are required to do for a course and instructors need to understand what the student is submitting.

These types of learning are both useful in the online platform. The synchronous learning engages all students so that comments and feedback are experienced from each other as well as the facilitator in real time. This allows for more spontaneous questioning. Asynchronous of course allows more flexibility for both facilitator and student.

Communication through email and or discussions are great but sometimes with a student who is at-risk a phone call could make all the difference. I have had some students flounder in the class until I got them on the phone to encourage them and make them realize that there is someone on other end who wants to see them succeed. Sometimes a student wants to do something to better themselves but they lack the confidence, for one reason or another, to see them through.

I love technology and its uses in the class room. In the online platform the large variety of choices is good and bad. The good is that depending on what is chosen it appeals to a large variety of students. The bad is that there are a lot of diverse students and it is sometimes hard to isolate which method works best for them individually.

With my school that is requiring this training the classes are designed and reused (in my opinion to long) by the school and faculty development team. The framework means nothing to me as faculty have no say so once the course is developed.

I am of the opinion that evaluations are the most valuable feedback an online instructor can receive. Of course, not all evaluation will be patting the instructor on the back. Some evaluation will definitely highlight the instructor's weakness. These are the evaluations that are more valuable. I welcome evaluation that helps me to better myself at delivering the information to the students with maximum impact.