While it is important for instructors to project authority and expertise to students within the online environment, it does not take the place of building trust and communication with students. Trust and communication will not be wstablished without effort, regrdless of the instructor's qualifications of the instructor.
you need to relate to class in a personal Manner and the class needs to interact with each other.
Just as in a typical classroom setting, you need to have a professional yet personal relationship with your student. This can be done by reviewing each students background and information.
A bio of the instructor can provide the student learner with knowledge base that the teacher has the proper creditials and experience to provide the necessary instuction and guidiance required to master the given subject matter.
Submitted by: Marilyn Renfroe
I've learned that strategies used to influence, persuade, imspire and energize students online should be the same as how it's done in a traditional classromm setting and the instructor must have a strong presence projected in an online environment because that is how the students will fell more comfortable and secure. Knowing that the faculty will be supportive in that setting. It is imperative to establish relationship built on trust.
In an online environemnt, it seems the relationship COULD be even more important than in the classroom. I also think the teacher has to be very deliberate in that relationshiop.
Teachers have to relate and interact with their students even on online classes.
Being "present" to the students online is very important in them having confidence with their learning. Most everything I would do for my students in the classroom, those would need to be done with online students, also.
I like the idea of getting to know your students and sending welcome emails to each student at the beginning fo the course. The biography is something I use in all of my classes, so this will fit perfectly in my online classes.
The idea of the instructor and students posting a biography of themselves not only helps them to get to know one another, but it also helps to establish relationships based on mutual respect and honesty. These relationships allow for the students and the instructor to be more comfortable in an online learning environment. Communication is a vital component to the success of both a traditional classroom environment and an online classroom environment.
Being a traditional classroom teacher for a number of years, I have projected myself, expertise, authority - but I did not think about it. This segment has shown me that I can do the same thing (hopefully) online.
It is important to post a biography about yourself to allow the student to know more about you. Students should also be requried to post a biography about themselves. It is important develop a relationship with the students even online. Students should be made to feel important inorder to keep them engaged and to produce a high quality of work.
I learned that a sense of community online is still significant. Instructors should not only share who they are, but students should offer a biography also.
I like the idea of short student biographies, but have found that students sometimes give the bare minimun or even lie on them.
This reinforced the importance of establish a personal relationship with each student, individually. I tend to address the class as a whole but neglect to focus on each individual. Having students post their bios and responding to each bio is a great idea. Setting up asynchronous discussions about non-course-related topics is also intriguing, although I might have to require students to participate, which makes it a little forced. Remembering the 24-hour turnaround time is also important.
I learned about establishing online authority (academic and professional) and how it is important to project that early on to students. I learned about the importance of establishing relationships with your students (similar to face-to-face learning)
I believe taking the opportunity at the beginning of the course to introduce yourself and your credentials of both the instructor and the students is a very good way to start making connections for the rest of the course. Just because you are not all sitting in the same room doesn't mean you can't make those connections and use those connections to enhance learning throughout the course, both with the instructor and fellow students.
It is paramount in a learning environment that intructor is felt by students even in a virtual or online classes. Involving the students in the discussion, valuing their responses and creating constructive criticism if necessary as well as saying thank you for sharing their thoughts will let them feel that their instructor is present.
Online classes are a new concept for me. Getting to know them through a biography is a good way to knwo more about them.
I like the idea of having the students' first assignment to be writing a short biography, especially the fact that bullet points could be provided so they KNOW they are telling the teacher the information he/she is wanting to know and not just random stuff. I also liked the idea of having a forum for general topics that might not be related to the topic/unit taught that week.
