Effectively communicating to our students with positive enhancements to engage the modern learner.
Using emotional awareness to reply to students.
There is so much information regarding the communication style of the online educator and the retention and satisfaction of the student. An educator needs to be mindful and deliberate with communication they have with students. This seems like a practice that takes time but is very important in the success of a class.
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of online communications, and the need of learning new writing skills to improve online communications.
I learned the importance of word choice and reinforcing positive feedback.
Basic use of relational writing to create a rapport environment and improve retention rate. The sequence of the response to regulate student’s emotions to a logical decision-making.
There are systematic ways in which a sense of community can be established and maintained in the online teaching environment.
Comment on kenneth gay's post: Agreed
Communication is the most important thing within classes and students.
Communication is essentially online human touch (BETTS). Students knowing that their instructor is approachable and professional is the key to good therapeutic communication. Having an arsenal of template emails for different purposes is good too.
Sometimes students have approached me with requests I found ridiculous. One student argued that, since they already had an A for the course, they should be exempt for the final exam. I think in these cases there is no need to be tentative. Students need to observe appropriate boundaries.
I always believe in doing discovery and not approaching students roughly or with accusations and this module helped validate that. It gave specific techniques and examples to utilize and I think we can make small tweaks to our communication as an organization to perhaps have increased retention.
Excellent example below! I loved learning about descriptive immediacy!
Jane:
"This class is horrible! No matter what I do, points are always taken away. I really don’t want to FAIL!! How do I drop this class before I fail?”
You:
Hi Jane (acknowledge presence). Thanks for reaching out to me for help (interactive statement). It sounds like (tentative stem) this class has been frustrating (acknowledge implicit emotion), and I get the sense (tentative stem) that you’re feeling somewhat anxious about continuing (acknowledge implicit emotion). Is that right (check-out)? Jane, (acknowledge presence) considering your outlook, I can see how you think it may be a challenge to pass the class (acknowledge thought, positive language). Let’s schedule an appointment to discuss this over the phone so that I understand your situation more fully (acknowledge concern). Together, we will find the best solution [smiling optimistically] (descriptive immediacy).”
I am a huge fan of virtual meetings because it allows students the opportunity to ask questions and creates a sense of community.
I have learned that many of my social emotional instincts in written communication actually have academic names and are proven effective to relate to student.
Because of the lack of social cues and body language, replacing negative words with positive words can be crucial; in addition, acknowledging the student's concern by checking in and checking out is just as important in online communication.
Interactuar con los estudiantes en linea debe ser igual de activa que la interacción presencial, es complicado porque considero que un vínculo se cuida en presencia; no obstante, podemos encontrar herramientas que permitan cuidar este mismo vínculo como una retroalimentación efectiva, foros de debate y consulta constantes, etc.
I want to use techniques learnt in this module, such as use of positive language instead of punitive language, use tentative stems and checkout, use the model ARCS: attention, relevance, confidence, satisfaction, and acknowledge presence, emotion, though and concern.
The Online Communication Strategies is a shining jewel of a course. It reminded me how affective interaction should never be ignored or taken for granted with my daily written communication exchanges with my students. "Treat each students as I would like to be treated" continues to be my motto. This course reinforces my motto.
It was interesting to learn more of of intermediate and advanced writing practices. Most of them that require more personal interactions are out of my element as those weren't considered "professional" ways to communicate. I would be more interested in incorporating the ARCs model.
