Week 15: You Aren't Done Yet!

I know how we as instructors get at the end of semesters.  We have a tendency to focus on the "to-do" list and getting all of the grading done and scores in the gradebook.  Shoot, many of us are already making changes for next semester.  Please don't forget though, there are real students with real stress in this last week of this semester.

Make sure you post a closing News item with your contact information and keep checking your class(es) through the last day.  Students will be asking last minute questions and expecting faster than normal answers.  If you can give that to them, it may well be the difference in how they finish the course (and possibly if they take one next semester).

Don't be afraid to give students bad news if they've earned it, but try to do so with a calming tone.  For example, "I'm sorry, but I can't reopen Exam 1.  It just wouldn't be fair to the students who completed the work on time." is very different from "Exam 1 was due February 3rd.  I do not give extensions."  It might not seem like much, but a calm voice in this stressful week may be the difference in avoiding much bigger issues later.

Lastly, thank your students.  They have spent real money to take our classes.  We get to take part of that home in a paycheck.  The least we can do is say 'Thank You'.

Spring Break Issues

I know many of us are fully aware of the Spring Break issues.  However, if you are new at CCCOnline, here's some things to remember.  First, CCCOnline does not take any time off for Spring Break.  While it might be nice to take a week off and sit in the sun, we just don't do it.  (If you know why CCCOnline doesn't take Spring Break, I'd be curious to know.)

Secondly, at least one of your students doesn't know CCCOnline isn't taking Spring Break.  So, how do you prevent this issue?  You could give a week where nothing is due and put twice as much work the following week.  Then again, to me, that's just another name for taking Spring Break.  I would go back to making sure you are mentioning it in your News items and maybe even in your Discussion area.

Lastly, even if CCCOnline isn't taking time off, students (and instructors) will still be traveling.  Any time you are traveling, make sure your students know when you are going to be away from the class, so they aren't waiting for replies.  Also, make sure to communicate what the expectations are for students who are away for several days.  Personally, I make sure the Spring Break time is pretty light, but there are still items due each week.

How do you handle Spring Break?

Out Sick Messages

This Tuesday, I was under the weather and didn't get my weekly News item up as scheduled.  While I got the message up on Wednesday, and didn't hear any complaints, I probably should have at least posted a quick note of the reason for the delay.  The same procedure probably should be done when traveling or dealing with other issues which take us away.

Students like to know you are in the class and when something isn't following the plan, they tend to get nervous. A quick little note letting them know why may well save an issue later.

The Most Important Thing

The most important thing any online instructor can do is login and check classes.  For me, this is daily.  Yes, seven days a week.  Over the course of the semester, there are days I don't get it done, but they are extremely rare.  So, I'm sure you are asking two questions; why and how?

Let's start with the why.  Your students want you to be in the class.  They don't want to feel like they are alone.  If they see you posting in your class daily, they will learn they can ask questions and get answers in a timely manner.  This will give them confidence in the class and in turn the material.  Retention and student success numbers show, active instructors equal successful classes.

The other side of this coin is how.  I know what many of you are thinking, "I have a life. I can't do this every day."  I say you can.  On weekends, do two things; check email and discussions once per day.  That's it.  No more.  While I try to reply to every email, my posts per day go down dramatically on the weekend.  One or two discussion replies each day to let the class know I'm there and that's it.  For my 3 CCCOnline classes, this rarely takes more than about 30 minutes per day.  That's an hour each weekend.  Experience has taught me, if I spend an hour each weekend in the class, I save at least twice that much on Monday picking up the pieces.