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.

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.

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.

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.