Getting easy access to email is not much of a problem, even with three accounts, but replying or opening attachments can be a bit of a challenge, especially if the server is slow. I've found this to be the case especially during the early evening hours. However, privacy online is one of my major concerns, especially when conferencing with students, in that any information that I send via email, can and may be forwarded or copied to other students.
For several years, I relunctantly used email, Instant Messenger, and BlackBoard to conference with students outside of class, and although I knew which student that I was working with online, I had difficulty with making sure that students understood the feedback, the questions, the explanation, etc. If I can't hold their attention in a face-to-face class, how difficult would it be to hold their attention online? Fortunately, this wasn't too much of a problem once I learned that I expected immediate answers from students and that they could reiterate what it was I said to them regarding their work. However, holding virtual classes using BlackBoard from time to time (with the entire class) was a bit of challenge, but over time, I figured that out too.
Once student logged on and entered the virtual classroom, I would take attendance and fortunately (unfortunately for students) I could see when students logged on or logged off. Once class discussion (lecture) ended, I would take attendance again while students were logging off. If a student did not log off, then I could assume that they walked away and never attended class. This as I said earlier was unfortunate for students who practice this unethical behavior. Of course, it only took one student to make the point.
As a teacher, I have discovered that technology is a fantabulous way to keep in contact with students, faculty and administration staff at the university...... (I'll finish my thoughts later)!
This is Lindsay, Melanie, and Brian. In contemporary education, we believe emailing is a necessary tool to best communicate with and contact our students. We agree that problems with privacy will always be an issue, especially with the ease of forwarding as you mentioned, so erroring on the side of caution when writing students could be a good precaution. We also considered the misinterpretation capable in emailing students. We tend to use humor and sarcasm when we communicate, and if we are not careful students may not understand what we are trying to convey.
This is Engin, Kyle, and Nedhal--we'd like to hear more about specific differences between "normal" classes and online classes that you've taught.
I am just getting comfortable with the blog so please forgive my late response to your question!
In order to teach effectively online requires DISCIPLINE especially with instructions, lecture, and feedback on student work. To save time, the postings must be clear and concise with little opportunity for students to question what it is that I expect from them. When I teach advanced business writing, I tell my students that money is time and time is money; therefore, they cannot afford to play a ping-pong question & answer segment thinking that a quick response will follow, it could cost them their job! It does happen that way in the world of business, just like it doest happen that way in the world of academia. For example, there may be an assignment given on a Monday and due on Wednesday, but students, especially those that procrastinate, may send me an email on Tuesday evening inquiring about it or wanting clarification. Well, on Tuesday evenings I am not glued to my email and many times students do not get the response they need to complete the assignment. It’s sad enough that this can and does happen in a face-to-face setting, but online the assignment deadlines are real and students earn zeros for not submitting the work in a timely fashion or submitting work that is acceptable. For some reason students believe that if they are taking a class online, then I too should be available to them online 24/7. That’s not going to happen and then everyone becomes frustrated and learning doesn’t always take place. In the face-to-face classes, however, students have an opportunity to ask questions once an assignment is given to them and I have an opportunity to explain it in more specific terms if deem necessary. One thing to keep in mind is that this type of approach doesn’t work for every student (different learning styles), therefore, one-on-one face-to-face conference during hours works best for those types of situations. Do I like teaching online, not really, but when I do, I am more particular with my instructions, lecture and yes feedback (editing, revising, editing, revising and well you get it)., in order to make sure that students are clear about what is expected of them. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to elaborate.
I have to be extremely careful with using sarasm in email correspondences because students are already intimidated by me and will might cause more harm then good. Humor, however, when done tastefully so, can ease that intimidation. I believe that it depends upon the teacher's pedagogy as well as their relationship with the students. Thank you for your response.