I have not used this option before, but I like the idea of using the discussion boards and the FAQ option to relieve answering multiple students while having the students reply amongst themselves. It promotes the connection between the students that they would get during face to face vs no connection between each while working online.
There is so much here on how to create a dynamic learning environment for my students! A dynamic syllabus is a great way to build and change the topics/information in real time. This is a great tool as medicine changes so quickly, especially in a pandemic! The tips to encouraging participation in the discussion boards are also helpful. Providing extra credit or even a place to discuss without the instructor are innovative and fantastic ideas!
I found the comments about the dynamic syllabus to be especially usefull. The sylabus and the associated online activities are at the heart of the course and guide the student through the material.
I learned the importance of a dynamic syllabus and how important scaffolding is to the online environment to ensure students are learning the modules.
I certainly try to use scaffolding in my courses. Building on concepts and tying them together is beneficial for students. Also, I work to participate in discussions without getting too involved and "telling" the students the answers or steer them in their decision-making. I find it hard to do. I am working on my Socratic questioning.
There are many ways to encourage communication between teacher-student and student-students.
It can be helpful to have a dynamic syllabus. I had never heard of it, but it sounds like a good concept than a normal document form of a syllabus. It is important for instructors to provide guidance for online discussion format whether it is complete access, restricted access (if students feel more comfortable for only instructor to see ).
There are multiple types of Effective Online Communication including S2S, S2I, I2S, G2G, G2I, G2G, and I2G. Providing students with the opportunity to engage with the Instructor and their peers is a crucial part of learning, and will make any Online Course more effective and beneficial for the students.
Scaffolding provides structure for student learning and focus for student activities.
- Provide clear instructions
- Clarify purpose
- Keep students on task
- Offer assessment to clarify purpose
- Direct students to worthy sources
- Reduce uncertainty and disappointment
- Deliver efficiency
- Create momentum
One thing I have learned is that we need to convert or Syllabus to be more dynamic. Currently, it is flat and students need to download it to print if they wish to refer to it. I will have to look into ways we can make it more like an ebook.
Adding a detailed syllabus and reviewing with students before the start of class will help with any confusion and gives student a chance to realize how much work is involved in the course.
I really like the idea of scaffolding so that students are building off of their prior knowledge.
Importance of the syllabus, scaffolding and overall communication
Critical components of the online environment are creating and maintaining student-friendly, secure, comfortable communication channels.
I learned how to create a dynamic syllabus to assist students in anticipating online issues and situations. I also learned the importance of creating an online community so students dont' feel like they are individually learning.
I have learned that it is important to create am environment where students feel comfortable interacting in a synchronous or asynchronous manner. To apply this lesson, I feel it is important to offer multiple forums of communication (discussions, chats, emails) and to ensure that instruction for communication are clearly outlined in the syllabus and on the online learning platform.
A flat syllabus is no dofferent than a printed syllabus. Online syllabus should be dynamic.
The concept of scaffolding is the same in online and in person learning.
Having a dynamic syllabus is the basis for any successful class as an instructor. From there establishing the right environment to allow the students to scaffold properly also provides success for the student and instructor.
Building an online community for your course is important to student learning. Students shouldn't be left to feel that they are alone online doing the course. The student has to be aware that engaging in the community is important to their learning in the course. Web based tools are helpful in the development of a community sense that the students will want to engage in.
