My face to face class is really about working with individuals to establish a positive class atmosphere. Problems can be solved instantaneously. Progress is immediate. Outside of class involves extension, but we can cover quite a lot in a class slot.
My online class is also about establishing a positive class atmosphere, but it is by design and not by personality, not so immediate. That is, the work is so much more independent and then, well, there is this feedback delay. I feel in the end we can cover a similar amount and make strong progress, but the learners I work with are doing more work independently and I cannot monitor progress as instantly.
The feedback delay works like this. In a face to face class, as well as an online class I can help people who ask for it, and I can also monitor those who don't ask by looking over their shoulder at their computer screen. What is different in the online environment is that people who don't ask for help I have less idea if they are getting it or not until the end of the week when they "turn in" their assignments.
This is what I call a delay in the feedback loop. Is there a way to minimize or neutralize this?
Dear Robert,
ReplyDeleteYour 'Tale of 2 Classes' is really wonderful. I know that there is a delay in the feedback loop. We teachers, we are doing online course are not able to give you quick feedback. But we are really enjoying the course. I have a few questions to ask you other than the content in which we are presently engaged. My Institute wants to organize an online distance education mode training programme for primary teachers in South India. For that we would like to set up a small studio with unlimited net access. If you get time?? Could you please give us some inputs for designing and setting the online programme?
Your story of 2 classes really shows how committed you are. However, you don't need to worry about the delay in the feedback loop. I think participants like me are trying hard and we will live up to your expectations very soon.
Greetings from Regional Institute of English, South India, Bengaluru.
PK
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteThis is simply brilliant!
Congrats on it!
Hi Robert, this is me, Yariela.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you describe both classes. It is true you have more connection and more instant answer or support on you students work, but having students on line to become independent is very important in order to help them to be more confident with what they work on.
Here at Pierre et Marie School we are beginning our school year by making use and get informed by all the new practices related to teaching processes with the use of technology in our classes. I am sure that students from your face to face class have the benefit of getting a quick and instant help from you than those from on line courses, but still, it is very necessary for all the people to be able to work on their own and to be independent in order to work better. I think that on line classes exist because of the needs we have these days. And I remember that according to a author of a book, Mr. Candy, describes in his book “Self-direction for lifelong learning”, that independent learning makes students develop critical thinking.
If you face delays feedback is because sometimes students are trying to find a solution before asking you to help them and that is normal. I think that one way to minimize those delays feedbacks is to remind students they can ask for any assistance, doubt, or questions any time, sometimes, we need a click or reminding on that. Another way to minimize the problem of delays feedback is to keep trying being available for your students. Sometimes, students who take on line courses think (like in my case) that teachers are not ready to help you right away. It would be difficult to neutralize that because we are human beings and as you said before, you cannot work on your “on line course” students’ personality.
However, I am sure it will improve through the time, which is part of human beings evolution.
Congrats for your work and for helping us with our class, see? We do not have access to be there but still we are enriching our knowledge through this on line course.
Hi Robert!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I would like to congratulate you on the picture selection. They speak volumes! Second, I 'd like to reassure you about the feedback delay as, in my opinion, it is also related to the student's personality and not only to the type of class. Those who are rather reserved and shy usually hide their doubts or misunderstandings no matter whether they are in a face to face class or in on-line one. Besides the distance offers a safe environment for those who like to experiment by themselves at their own pace. So don't worry everything is going to be fine! Some personal messages though from time to time to those who appear to be silent for longer than expected might be of some help.
I personally feel quite encouraged and comfortable already thanks to you and I am grateful for that.
Cheers
Marina
Hi Robert,
ReplyDeleteI hope you're doing fine. I finally decided to explore your blog, it's a very good one. I don't know why you stopped your reflections with 2011 classes. You write good reflections. I wish you would write some about our class.
Thank you very much for your encouraging and supportive guidance through this course.
Wish you the best of everything,
Naglaa Nada
Dear Robert At university they taught me about sincronous and asincronous communication and in fact I feel from what you said this is somewhat similar, though I know this goes on computers and you are talking about students.
ReplyDeleteThe same happens to me about teachers. I cannot watch 200 teachers once a month or so. If I am lucky I can watch once a year their classes because that is part of my job. There are many other things I have to do in reference to my job.
So one way to deal with this is through in service trainning I like it so much. As somebody told me once,teachers teach students; supervisors teach teachers and that is my job
Dear Robert,
ReplyDeletein your blog you mentioned the delayed feedback loop. I also noticed the same problem & chance. Some adult students do not dare to ask for help, because they feel ashamed in class, but they would ask online, because the feedback is individual and discreet.
Some learners prefer to try first without any help. They want to figure it out themselves without asking for advice, and they are very proud after they have managed on their own.
Some of my students wish to work in pairs, they can discuss problems, deal with queries, motivate themselves and complement each other with their skills and experience. Finally peers enjoy presenting their work much more. Very often the two of them invest much more work and time preparing a project than one single student would do. It's worth waiting for a timeconsuming project.
regards
Brigitte
Hi
ReplyDeleteThe main problem as you said is the delay in the feedback.To solve this problem we should use virtual class such as WizIQ web conferencing where we use audio ,video and text input and output.There we can use Whiteboard to draw and type.What do you say?
regards
Kayyum