neutralname
A person without qualities, except for being a
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« on: August 07, 2010, 11:00:53 AM » |
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Last semester I had a problem with my online students: many of them didn't do well and adopted a strong ostrich policy, apparently hoping if they stopped contributing I would not notice them.
I'm wondering about how to get them to participate more, and one idea is to use a web cam during my office hours so they can contact me that way. I would also be able to make myself available to regular students in the same way -- and those students almost never come to my office hours either.
Now I recognize that the majority of students will not want to do this. I don't much want to do it. But my question is whether any students would ever want to do it. Has anyone ever used Skype or similar programs to communicate with students? Are the chances of success just low, or are they zero?
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"My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music." Vladimir Nabokov
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pink_
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« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2010, 11:05:33 AM » |
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Horses don't have seatbelts. Listen to Pink, she's smart.
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neutralname
A person without qualities, except for being a
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« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2010, 11:16:26 AM » |
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Thanks -- that is useful. I would make IM available too, using something like GoogleTalk or Digsby.
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"My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music." Vladimir Nabokov
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turbojet
New member
Posts: 9
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« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2010, 08:43:07 AM » |
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I found a Canadian based community college that owned their own island in Second Life. The prof/creator was committed to supporting other teacher who wanted a place to meet students , even though they were not from her college. With 30 minutes, she gave me an office, a plaque on the door and free furniture. Signing up for Second Life is easy, and creating an Avatar was slightly frustrating but fun. If you orient students before the term to get signed up, there is no reason you cannot meet with students in Second Life. Over time, this virtual dynamic will be seen a another aspect of online education. many main stream universities have had their own islands for years.
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Ah tutti contenti saremo cosi,
Ah tutti contenti saremo,
Saremo cosi.
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neutralname
A person without qualities, except for being a
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« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2010, 05:39:21 PM » |
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Yes, I know people who spend much time in SL, and I also know that many universities have outposts there. But am I ready to meet my students there? Not yet.
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"My loathings are simple: stupidity, oppression, crime, cruelty, soft music." Vladimir Nabokov
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infopri
I guess I'm now a VERY
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When all else fails, let us agree to disagree.
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« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2010, 02:16:27 AM » |
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I use an instant-message feature a lot to help students who are struggling. I don't have formal office hours, but I'm logged on a lot, and I encourage students to contact me any time. I also often start the conversation myself, if I see that a student I want to talk to is logged on.
The only thing I've done with a camera so far is a class exercise in real time (one small group at a time) using a web-conferencing application.
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Your experience is not universal. Words to live by.
MYOB. Y enseņen bien a sus hijos. |
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larryc
Hu hatin'
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Eschew the hu.
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« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2010, 02:18:18 AM » |
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Be sure to wear something sexy.
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zharkov
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« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2010, 07:13:36 AM » |
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Last semester I had a problem with my online students: many of them didn't do well and adopted a strong ostrich policy, apparently hoping if they stopped contributing I would not notice them.
I have found that posting weekly participation grades help, where participation basically means participating in online discussions. |
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__________ Zharkov's Razor: Adapting Zharkov a bit to this situation, ignorance and confusion can explain a lot.
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jon_margerumleys
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« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2010, 09:38:31 AM » |
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I am available during office hours simultaneously via Skype, AOL chat, telephone, Second Life, and face to face. _By far_ the most students come in via chat, a couple per week. Telephone calls come in about twice a month. Skype maybe once a month. Second Life has been used once in the last three years by a student.
By the way, as an enticement for students to come to meet me face to face, I offered free pizza for a month. I gained five pounds. About two students dropped by.
Bottom line: Students don't seem to want to interact by Skype or face to face. Maybe I'm scary looking?
Jon
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