The details in this article were informative, educational and will be very helpful in knowing the best method to use to communicate with my students. I have been an online instructor for ten years and oftentimes I have continuously perfected my communication format and methods through a variety of options to ensure that students receive the information they need in a timely manner. It is a daily habit to check the "questions forum" their "IF", the announcements and the main discussion question forum to post, answer and search for questions students need answered. As of this date, I have not read or discovered a lot of information on a universal or the best communication method to use to respond to my students. Which method is the quickest possible way to convey messages or answer their last minute questions related to course materials, assignments or assessments.
In the future, I will use the email first and then follow-up with all other communication options. You think that it would not matter whether its through email or the questions forum that students obtain their information the fastest way, but it obviously does matter based upon your research.
I do think that more in-depth study can be completed to establish guidelines on the best and fastest methods used under certain situations and circumstances to communicate with students.
For example, do students check their "IF" first if its just a general non-emergency question, or the questions forum first and why?
I would also like to know which communication method do students check the most frequently and why?
It would also be great to have more details on the conclusions that were discovered regarding the "reasons" students chose email as the best method for more immediate communication.
I think that the writing ability of students can affect individual and email communications. Those who have stronger communication skills will naturally have better quiz scores than those who have trouble communicating. Students who read and understand instructor communications are more successful, so this makes sense.
2 Comments
The details in this article were informative, educational and will be very helpful in knowing the best method to use to communicate with my students. I have been an online instructor for ten years and oftentimes I have continuously perfected my communication format and methods through a variety of options to ensure that students receive the information they need in a timely manner. It is a daily habit to check the "questions forum" their "IF", the announcements and the main discussion question forum to post, answer and search for questions students need answered. As of this date, I have not read or discovered a lot of information on a universal or the best communication method to use to respond to my students. Which method is the quickest possible way to convey messages or answer their last minute questions related to course materials, assignments or assessments.
In the future, I will use the email first and then follow-up with all other communication options. You think that it would not matter whether its through email or the questions forum that students obtain their information the fastest way, but it obviously does matter based upon your research.
I do think that more in-depth study can be completed to establish guidelines on the best and fastest methods used under certain situations and circumstances to communicate with students.
For example, do students check their "IF" first if its just a general non-emergency question, or the questions forum first and why?
I would also like to know which communication method do students check the most frequently and why?
It would also be great to have more details on the conclusions that were discovered regarding the "reasons" students chose email as the best method for more immediate communication.
Great work! Really good job!
I think that the writing ability of students can affect individual and email communications. Those who have stronger communication skills will naturally have better quiz scores than those who have trouble communicating. Students who read and understand instructor communications are more successful, so this makes sense.