I feel the student must have faith in the instution before he takes the plunge into this type of study. If the person on the other side of the computer fulfills the students needs that is all that is required. Certification by the school needs to be recoginzed by the proper accredidation governing bodies.

Being 65 years old I find this type of learning very difficult. My learning style is hands on, learn by doing not reading about something and nothing to touch. On the other hand my son is very good at this type of learning. He can visualize the content where I have no imagination and it's just a bunch of words.

Does anyone have any advice on discussion forums for online mathematics courses? I have seen them used in generally two ways: 1) Required posts on a topic determined by the instructor. 2) Optional posting by students regarding any module topic. I have found the second way to be much more productive. In case (2) the students use the discussion forum to vent their struggles and identify solutions. Also, it gives the opportunity for the instructor to answer questions in a centralized place rather than responding to individuals via email. Although in this cases there is less overall participation, the participation that occurs is useful. I have found option (1) to work poorly. Either the topic is boring and does not afford much opportunity for in-depth discussion or, if the topic is based on a deeper mathematical idea, it is beyond the capacity of most students. The resulting discussion becomes ineffective. Any other online math instructors have comments or views? Brian Stout

Evaluations are a key to a students success as grades now play such a large role in the jobs they gain. Should evaluations be easier to help the student succeed?

What is the most important feature of feedback do you think? do students really read what we write?

Online resources may include a discussion board, email, chat rooms, etc. What is the most important online resource you use?

The course framework is the road map for course development. What are the most important factors to have in your course road map for optimum student learning?

Managing the e-learner environment involves consistent review of assignments, constant communication, and student outreach. This way you are more aware of what your students need and how to best capture their attention.

Engaging learners can be done by incorporating group discussion responses, or activities that require the online learner to work with a partner. This is also achieved by giving the learner freedom to choose research topics, discussion topics, etc.

This can be done by way of using proximity in the classroom. Moving around the room and catching eye contact of your students will help keep them engaged in the lesson.

How flexible do instructors need to be in regards to the timing of their live chat sessions? I tend to like to have my chats during the day on Monday - so that early in the week, students know everything they have to know to complete the assignment. Some students prefer evening chats. I have been known to throw in an extra chat for students that prefer the live chat in the evening? Your thoughts?

Do you think it is important to send personalized emails to each student during week one as well as respond to their introductions in the classroom? Why is this extra effort on the part of the online professor important?

Do you believe that the length of the course impacts the students engagement? What do you believe is the optimum time for a course to last in the online environment?

There have been times when a student will make sure they find fault with another's posts and they have to make sure they bring it to their attention in the discussion forums. In addition, they also need to post i.e. "did you mean ______" and it was a word that was misspelled by me, the instructor. In attempting to ask for courtesy and respect to all and not be negative the student became even more confrontagious and claimed my tone was inappropriate. As an instructor I could not wait for this class to be over and for the student to move on. What I do not understand is how these students progress in any program and are not counseled by advisors to stop this type of negative interaction and help them understand how this is going to affect their place in any work environment.

I have yet to find the best way to get student's to write substantial discussion posts and engage in meaningful responses. I go as far as telling them that they are not gaining anything if the simply agree and don't challange each other. Can you give me some examples and pointers on how to get the student's better involved with the discussion board? Looking forward to hearing form you, Daron A. Collins

How are some ways that a teacher can add creativity and learning enhancement to a ready-made course module?

Every corner of the globe will one day be accessible by a single keystroke. The known world has become closer through the technological linkage with language less of a barrier. Technology has converted many activities of life. It is communication, socialization, entertainment, work, a friend and a teacher. As online education matures and learns from experience so too does classroom technology . Since a degree program is as much about learning from an academic standpoint as it is professional development, it makes sense to treat the encounter from the latter perspective (at least as far as team development). One faculty members names groups in the folloiwing manner: • EMEM (“Peace” in Efik-a language of Nigeria) • HETEP (“Peace” in the language of the Egyptian) • KAREENAN (“Peace” in Pangasinan-a language of the Philippines) • KUTHALA (“Peace” in Swati-the language of Swaziland) • MAGOGOSO (“Peace” in Roviana-a language of the Solomon Islands) • SATTA (“Peace” in Jamaican Creole) • SIPALA (“Peace” in the language of the Hopi Tribe of North America) Of course, the students do not know the word meaning until after group grades go out…but this is good KARMA!

Generation X & Y and Millenials are offsprings of a digital birth, a fast-paced childhood, and a solitary existence strive to utilize its skills and creativity to control their environments. The solitary nature of life is both increased and decreased with each computer link. The known world has become closer through the technological linkage. Students are drawn in by the sights and sounds of the AIU Online classroom. The layout is slick, professional and visually stimulating. Do your announcements, chats, and emails fit in? Online students are most likely heavy internet and computer users and their visual tastes have been molded by the activity. Creating announcements that look and sound like webpages is appealing to students.

Creativity is thought to be a foundation skill in effective leaders. Creative leaders are able to solve problems that have plagued an organization and successfully navigate the unexpected --“someone who can see old problems in new ways and new problems with fresh perspectives.” Creativity is derived from the socio-cultural environment, personality, and motivational variables. A creative instructor is one is does not focus on barriers, but can smooth the journey across stumbling blocks. Teaching creativity fosters engagement in the learning process. Students who are actively learning and are satisfied with the quality of contact in the classroom are more likely to remain. Focusing on creativity in student assignments has been found to elicit a higher level of concept application with regard to making connections between diverse information and new contexts.

Can online facilitation improve teaching skills in the traditional class room? I have made profound changes in my traditional class room due to my experience in online teaching and to taking these CEE courses.