Tuesday, December 30, 2008

ONLINE ADJUNCT FACULTY TIP #4 - How to ensure that you welcome each student

I print the course roster and have it on the desk adjacent to my computer. When students post their biography the first few days of an online course, I make sure to read it and post a response that incorporates details of their biography - such as "Bill, I visited my brother-in-law in San Mateo last year. The weather was terrific! I imagine you sometimes take the rail line in to watch the San Francisco Giants games." I then highlight the student's name on my list to document that I made a personal welcoming communication to him. I've found this a helpful toll in ensuring that I respond to all students and make everyone feel welcomed to the course.

Monday, December 29, 2008

ONLINE ADJUNCT FACULTY TIP #3 - Should you respond to your own discussion questions?

About 2 years ago, I began responding to the discussion questions I posted within my courses. I would either do this to "start-the-ball-rolling" for a discussion thread or to give an opposing viewpoint. I've found this approach to stimulate additional posts and I believe it also makes an impression on students when the instructor is also participating in course tasks. A word of caution - make sure your responses aren't too polished and comprehensive. You don't want students to feel they can't be candid in the discussion threads.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

ONLINE ADJUNCT FACULTY TIP #2 - Be sure to include a thread for COURSE QUESTIONS???

Always include a QUESTIONS thread in your course. I always keep this thread at the top of my discussion boards and identify it as ????? POST COURSE QUESTIONS UNDER THIS THREAD ?????

Recently, I've added a "Issues with Course Technology" thread - and encourage other students to assist their classmates with routine issues, such as posting an assignment to a Digital Drop Box. This has worked well - and thins out the phone calls to tech support.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

ONLINE ADJUNCT FACULTY TIP #1 - Confidential information & sharing in class

ONLINE ADJUNCT FACULTY TIP #1: Always post a confidentiality thread notice at the start of any online class. You don't want a student to make a post about their supervisor or a client that will be read by the entire.

STATE COLLEGES - worth looking into?

I'm working diligently to be considered as an adjunct faculty at two state colleges. My advice is to try to pursue a course that is a requirement of a program - as you'll always have students. I'm trialing a new video format with TeacherTube that would accompany my full online courses.