Book of the Day

I’ve seen both sides of the online class.  I’ve never been a teacher of an online course, but my colleagues past and present are active parts of this.  I know from many past conversations that teachers worry their students are phoning it in on the other side of the computer, if they’re even sitting at the desk at all.  I know that students have a long list of complaints about how they’re either wasting their time or not engaged.  Both sides end up frustrated with software.

But here’s something I’ve also seen:  Both sides end up getting mad and often don’t share what could be done.

Please, if you are on either side of this situation, look at a book like today’s BotD: Engaging the Online Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction by Rita-Marie Conrad and J. Ana Donaldson.  I believe that online learning and incorporating Web based material into learning to be potentially fantastic opportunities.  With a breakdown in communication, though, the class loses value.  When the students can’t visually express their displeasure or the instructors unable to visually assess interest, positive changes are harder to come by.  Teachers: check this book out and get some ideas.  Students: check this book out and don’t be afraid to give your teacher some suggestions.