Patricia Policastro

Asynchronous discussion forums allow all students to participate. It allows them time to think about their responses and it allows them to more easily follow the discussion.  Synchronus discussions can go to rapidly for student to process and participate fully regarding the topic.

It is important to develop relationships with your students to keep them engaged.  Sharing your biography and asking them to share theirs creates a more positive relationship and allows you, and the students, to see each other as more than a computer screen!

I believe one of the most important aspects of online learning is to ensure students feel supported in their journey. Not all students, nor instuctors for that matter, have the same level of online management skills and may find it difficult to access the material.  Setting up the material in a consistent and acessible manner is vital to a students success and ease of understanding. Recognition that peers who may be teaching the same content may approach it in a different manner is also very important.