Issues and Concerns of Teachers New to Online

Concerns: 

• Many teachers are distressed about not being able to see and students and have them see you. Web technology will soon make it possible for the students to see you and you to see them, but if you do that then the asynchronous nature of online is lost. I have found that the personality of the students and the instructor does come through in online postings.
• Student confusion at login can be a problem. Some institutions offer a course in the software. That is a barrier unless it is optional or unless it is an introductory course that carries credit.
• Sometimes students need a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to see if others have asked the same thing. I do often, especially at the undergrad level, and give a Quiz on the Syllabus the first week of class. It is for credit (not a lot of credit, but credit) and students can take it many times in the first 10 days of class. My aim is to be sure they know the material.
• I sometimes require students to sign and return to me a “Letter of Agreement” that has item such as “I have purchased the text book” “I understand the grading” “I have a backup computer plan.” They do get credit for this.
• Not all students own a computer. They may be using the computers in the institution’s computer lab or at a library. Be judicious in the use of multimedia that demands many computer resources.

• Students should know what is expected. Here is what one community college sends to students http://www.muskegoncc.edu/pages/2246.asp (Muskegon Community College)
• Discussions are important. http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/spring51/edelstein51.pdf   Students learned more and were happier with the outcome if there were discussions.
• ·     The  instructor needs to be logging in and responding to the discussions.
• ·            Teachers must be trained to become good online instructors. Some college professors may find it very difficult to make the transition to online. I subscribe to the Podagogy blog and I thought this posting was interesting http://blog.podagogy.com/?p=421
• ·          It is the teacher's responsibility to make sure the students know what you expect. If faculty are grading once a week, then let the students know so they don’t worry when their work is not immediately graded. You can use the “track changes” feature of Word to make comments inside the student papers.
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• ·          Threaded discussions help the students stay connected, but the students need to be told what is expected of them. Students also need grades as feedback.