This week's DL Tip of the week is about interaction. This is the third week of 16 week courses. As an instructor, posting weekly announcements regularly (at least one time per week), or more often is encouraged. Be sure to emphasize office hours and utilize Bb IM. Additionally, some interaction will occur one-on-one through email, phone, and in-person visits when possible.Students just need to know they are doing things the right way for their course; waiting 2-3 weeks or more for communication leaves the student behind. Never interacting or providing untimely interaction and feedback is injustice to the online student. In online, there are those "no-show students" (even if they completed the no-show activity) who have already stopped working in their courses. All faculty members need to take time to reach out more to these fallen students. In the end, the interaction does have to be a two-way street. Simple stated, those students who are engaged by the instructor and interact back, gain more from the class than those who don't. Create opportunity for interaction and engagement, require the interaction through discussion boards, blogs, journals, or other ways, consistently send announcements and class emails, and setup time to follow up with those students lagging or are who behind. That extra message may push that "no-show student" to reach out for help. Some students do not know how to reach out for help, even when it is right in front of them, so make it easy for them.
Take time this week to set up a communication strategy for the semester (if you haven't already done so). Develop and plan time for interaction. At HCTC, we have many faculty members that send out 30-40 class emails and announcements each term (some more and some less), which is about an average of 3 postings per week.
Teaching online can be demanding, more so than in-person as you know. The DL Team (Brad, Wendy, Paul, Laura, Kim, and myself) wants to thank you for all your hard work that you put into your online class(es), from development to delivery and working to have yourself and your courses certified. We want a community of sharing ideas and helping each other to the best of our abilities; and for students who are in your online classes to have an experience like no other and it all starts with interaction and engagement.
On Demand Blackboard Communicating and Collaborating How-to's
Articles/Online Resources
Best practices in online teaching strategies
6 keys to engaging students online
Engaging student in learning through online discussion
Engaging students with technology
If for any reason the links appear broken, if you need help, or if you have an idea for a DL Tip of the Week, please email us at HCTC-DL@kctcs.edu.
Remember if you need assistance, please let a member of the DL Team know.
Brad Roberts, DL Specialist (Faculty/Student Support) – Lees
Paul Currie, DL Specialist (Faculty Support) – Hazard, Knott, Leslie, Tech
Wendy Davidson, LoD Program Coordinator (LoD support and Student Support)
