Understanding an Online Student’s Needs
Similar to a classroom course, online learners need their instructor actively involved in the course. Online learners require attention, concern, and guidance just like a classroom student. The difference is simply in the method of delivery. You may not be able to look them in the eye (though with technology, this is possible), you can still contact them.
Treating online student needs with the same passion and care as classroom student needs is the first step in successfully understanding an online student’s needs.
Online students need you, and, more specifically, they need you to be active in the course.
Understanding Online Student’s Learning Environment
While it is important to remember that students are students, regardless of the delivery method, online learners do learn in a different learning environment. It is essential for you to recognize and understand these learning environment differences.
Technology can, and does, fail
Traditional classroom technology can fail (projectors, teacher PC’s, lighting, whiteboard markers), the online environment simply adds more technology to the environment. Be proactive regarding these potential problems. Make a plan for when situations like these happen. Put the plan in your syllabus and communicate your solutions to students early in the course.
Family and Home Distractions
Generally, online students complete the majority of their work from home (unless they do not have internet access at home). A home environment creates many potential pitfalls for a learner. At Sandhills, data shows that students also complete the majority of their work at night.
Encourage your students to find specific places and times to study and to inform other family members not to disturb them during these times set aside for school work. By having consistent hours for their schoolwork (that they honor), the student will create patterns of behavior that will help them achieve their goal of success.
Loneliness and Isolation from the Class
Online students are more prone to feeling isolated from the class than classroom students. No amount of multimedia or new technologies can replace timely feedback, thoughtful responses to forum posts, or email messages that show concern or recognition of a student’s progress in a course.
Use multimedia to supplement your involvement in the course. Students need to feel that you are present and that you care about their learning.
Procrastination
Online students are given more flexibility than traditional students. If they are not skilled in focusing on tasks, or the instructor is not proficient in techniques to prevent this behavior, the students could put off their online coursework for other squeaky wheels (job, spouse, or children).
To make your course squeak louder, you need to keep your coursework present in your student’s mind. The following actions will help with this:
- Encourage students to work on classwork in small chunks. This allows them to complete the assignments slowly over the course of a week or two, rather than cramming it all in one day (usually the due date).
- Provide students the opportunity to submit drafts or send their work to you before the due date to get your opinion on their progress.
- Encourage students to contact you with questions on an assignment, but be clear that the day an assignment is due is not an appropriate time to ask for help.
By showing students that you give timely feedback and assistance, you not only promote social presence, you also foster an environment that discourages procrastination.
Tips For Teaching Online
Clearly State expectations in Assignments, Forums, Quizzes, and Syllabi
Though you are not physically present, you can still establish your expectations of the students. If you never communicate your expectations to them, they may simply assume their own ethics and morals are acceptable.
The course syllabus and assignment descriptions are excellent places to put these expectations. Never assume that a student knows something regarding your expectations.
Post Course Assignments and Due Dates in the Schedule of Assignments
It is vital to create a schedule for your online course assignments so students can get a feel for what they will need to do throughout the semester. If you need to change an item in the schedule, clearly communicate this change using the Announcements forum. Never set a due date for midnight on any day. This can cause confusion regarding which day the assignment is due. If you need to set a due date at night, 11:55 P.M. (23:55) is the best choice.
Treat Student’s Technical Problems with Concern But Caution
Students can invent an endless number of excuses in traditional courses, and online courses are no different. The only difference is the type of excuses. Be careful not to accept every technical problem a student has as a legitimate excuse for late work.
The eLearning Department can assist you in determining if a student’s technical issues were the cause of a failed assignment submission.
Become Familiar with Solving Common Problems
Common problems in an online course differ from a traditional course. Most of the student issues in an online class will be technical in nature or involve a misunderstanding due to communication. Below are some common problems and suggested solutions.
If you are ever unsure about how to answer a student’s technical problem, contact someone in the eLearning Department for assistance. You can also ask the student to submit a help ticket using this link: http://myscchelp.sandhills.edu/index.php?a=add
Constantly Log into Your Course Throughout the Week
If you check your online course only once a week, you are setting yourself and your students up for failure. Online instructors should continuously check their course to make sure everything is running smoothly.
The best indication of this is to check students’ progress. Look at the assignments for the week and see how many students have submitted the assigned work. If the number is low, or even zero, send out a reminder to students. These communications are critical for creating an environment that promotes student success.
A Brief Screencast on the Online Learner