I agree that students need to feel they're part of a "community". Engagement and personal interaction are very important. Our students need to be challenged and as intructors we should model good behavior. For example, in a traditional setting rules and policies serve as great coaching tools. However, are they really effective if we don't even make an attempt to learn their name ? In general, rules without some type of relationship never works. "Ten years from now you may not remember what someone looked like, or even what they said, but you will remember how they made you feel." Nobody wants to feel like a number. Obviously, we're already challenged building rapport with our students given short three week periods. So, finding new innovative ways to engage students online is crucial. Students need to be engaged and mentored to take ownership of their personal success. I think one of the biggest contributing factors needed for a student to "buy in" to their success is to make them feel like they are where they should be during that space of time. Sure, we should hold them accountable but remember we all had to start somewhere. More than likely, a portion of our students will decide not to pursue this as a career but they can still find value in the process if they learn to set goals for themselves and learn some responsibility along the way. I think it's all about the approach whether it be in the classroom or engaging students online. With that being said,I know it takes a huge amount of patience and some things are easier said than done.
