21stcenturyed.com

As obvious as it seems, students actually need to log into and complete work in online courses before they can succeed in them.  So, how do you engage students in online courses?

• Make sure they sense your presence in the course
  • Online learning can be a lonely pursuit, even with the best of intentions.  But if a student doesn’t feel like you are ‘present’ in the course, he will likely not bother to do the work on time – or at all.  Make contact with students early – before the course even starts – and keep it up after the course begins.  Let them know a little bit about you, and encourage them to share personal information with you, to the extent to which they are comfortable.   As soon as they miss an assignment, let them know you noitced.  This doesn’t need to be in a nagging way – think about how you woul like to be ‘nugged’ when you start to fall behind in a shared pursuit, and take that route. Also keep in touch when they are doing just fine as well – make use of free e-card sites to send birthday wishes or notes of encouragement.  Make sure you respond personally to all students’ efforts.  They’ll know you’re there, and that you care.
• Use engaging content
  • Honestly?  Nobody wants to read 17 screens of size 10 Arial text online about the fall of the Roman Empire.  If you’re designing the course yourself and creating the content, ask yourself this question: “Would I want do this for an hour or more each day?“  Sometimes a chef has to taste her own cooking to know if the dish is palatable – once you have a lesson or activity “ready for consumption” try to complete it yourself.  Better yet, find a willing guinea pig of a colleague or student to try it.  Don’t look to your spouse – chances are he/she will not be honest in their opinion in an effort to protect your feelings
• Help students feel like they are a part of something larger than themsleves.
  • Encouraging group work, discussion, and activities in a course can help students feel like they are a part of a community of learners.  This leads to a sense that they are responsible to the group – not just to themselves.  It is easier to slack off when the only person who is really affected is myself, as long as I am willing to suffer the personal consequences.  But if I know I am affecting others, I am more likely to engage.
• Let them know you care.
  • Be compassionate and understanding with your students.  Your students’ initial impression should be that you are their biggest supporter, ally, and cheerleader.  Knowing that I have someone “in my corner” could allow me to be brave enough to take chances – like writing my first post or submitting my first assignment.  Will this result in students taking advantage of your good nature at times?  Yes – but no one is asking you to be a doormat.  But the first time a student misses handing in an assignment, or failes to log in, don’t jump to the assumption that they are slacking off.  Instead, approach it from a stance of concern.  Send them an email asking if everything is okay, since you noticed they missed their assignment due date.  The worst thing you can do is send a scathing “Hey-where’s-your-assignment” email only to find out that the student was delayed due for perfrectly legitimate reasons.

I know, I know.  You’ve probably been blogged to death by now.  But the reality is that I’ve found a tremendous storehouse of really good information on blogs, and hope to do the same here – not to mention they’re so blasted easy to use!  Plus, this won’t be just a blog.  Instead, it’s the portal to a lot more.  Behind this blog will lurk courses, communities of practice, resources, and research.  And it’s all here for the taking.

So what’s it all about?  Well, as the title and tag line imply, I’ll be focused on teaching and learning in the 21st century  – now and beyond. 

This will be a great place to visit if you’re a teacher:

• …with very little experience using technology in your classroom – and looking for some help
• …with lots of experience using technology in your classoom – and looking to learn about the next big thing
• …or administrator exploring online learning as an option for your course, school, or district
• …currently teaching online and looking to improve your skills and perfect your craft

Be forwarned – you’re likely to encounter some ideas and techniques that may seem far fetched or ‘pie in the sky’ now - but before you know it, everyone will be using them.  Don’t believe me?  Did you know Podcasts are only 3 or 4 years old?  (Did you also know Adam Curry – the ex-MTV VeeJay invented it??)

LEverage technology in your current teaching and stay ahead of the curve by coming back often.  Get involved in the discussions.  Tell me I’m worng – please!  Its only through intelligent discourse that we can learn and grow.

So let’s get started…Check out the links at the right to explore the site.