Communication
Discussion groups, Mail, or Live Web Conferencing systems, provide avenues for interaction among students and between students and the teacher.
Online communication is more challenging than face to face communication in that you are not able to use facial expression, tone of voice, or body language cues as feedback to determine comprehension.
The following points should be considered when communicating with students:
- Provide directions to students that are clearly stated.
For example, it might be helpful to provide images, screen captures etc to clarify text instructions.
- Where appropriate, supplement important information with an audio or video podcast as a way of addressing diversity in learning styles, or as a way of re-enforcing concepts.
- Use a friendly conversational tone as a way of connecting with students online.
- Make personal connections by addressing students by name, referring to their experiences etc.
- Send a welcome message to students at the beginning of the course. This action sets a positive learning climate from the start.
- Establish guidelines for communication at course start up.
For a sample of a welcome letter and guidelines for communication, click on the links.
Online Communication Tools
There are a variety of ways to communicate with students, some of which will be included here.
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