Overall, I though this was a very well done module. Using a dynamic syllabus is certainly a good way to do things in an online class environemnt. However, this modules makes a point about obtaining student feedback that I have issues with: "An instructor may periodiclly obtain student feedback by asking three simple questions: 1) What should we stop doing? 2) What should we start doing? 3) What should we continue doing in this course? These questions give students the opportunity to provide feedback..."
I'm a big fan of student input and feedback and in some circumstances (like testing a new course module or introducting a new program of some type), some of these types of questions would timely / appropriate and the student feedback should be carefully examined. However, in my opinion, the online professor / teacher / instructor (particularly for an online course) should be a qualified subject matter expert on what they are teaching. We're paying them a salary to make good decisions on what needs to be taught and what does not need to be taught / what does not belong in the program or module. As stated so elloquently in this module: "...it is the role of the instructor to keep the students on the right path regarding what they are learning and how they connect the learning pieces". Trying to make a course or a program too student centric by asking the students what we should stop / start / continue doing in a prrogram or module loses it's value because the students are here to learn from us - the professor / instructor / teacher and that professional should be on top of their game, making sure the course content and what is going on in the classroom (or online) is highly valuable and a productive / good use of everyone's time.
I did like the section titled Scaffolding Student Learning. This section has the best, clearest definition of scaffolding I have ever read. I have read these overblown definitions and papers about scaffolding written by so called "leaders" in the education who are nothing more than overpaid consultants trying to justify their high dollar consulting fees. Here, student scaffolding is laid out clearly, precisely and in an easy to read, easy to understand, clear format. Well done!
