MAINTAIN THE ENERGY !

Welcome to E-LERN for Faculty for April 2003.
Here are some great tips on maintaining the energy in your online course from Dr. Mary Dereshiwsky, LERN COI, of Northern Arizona University.

1. REAL TALK.

Use real talk like 'Wowee.' It pleasantly surprises online learners to find a researcher who is human, 'lol'.
And use smileys and emoticons.
(Instead of using smileys and emoticons, use context-sensitive speech, as in real life.
Emote!  Be clear!  Let the reader "hear" you laughing/crying/feeling!
 - LWB lbuinis@raritanval.edu)

2. LITTLE FEATURE.

I do a little feature for them twice a week.
I put together a cluster of positive thinking stories, poems or quotes centered on a key theme.

3. STUDENT SHARING.

Sharing (with prior permission) about their new jobs, new babies, and other accomplishments in a posting area/folder I call 'Winners Circle.'

4. CONTINUAL ENGAGEMENT.

I think it is absolutely essential for success in an online course.
Faculty should be especially visible and proactive during the first week or two.
This includes:

• welcoming aboard new students;
   
• posting announcements regularly;
   
• responding quickly to student questions;
   
• checking in on the course at least once a day, and ideally more during start-up.

5. STUDENTS HAVE SOME SAY.

Let students have some say in who they will work with in groups.

6. NEGOTIATE A GROUP CONTRACT.

Ask students to start by negotiating a group contract which includes such issues as how group members:

• Decide how often they will be expected to check in for updates;
   
• Will communicate (email, bulletin board, instant message, live chat, fax, phone, in person).
   
• Will divvy up the assigned work. Is there a designated leader? Designated poster of the final assigments?
   
• Will attempt to resolve any conflicts that may emerge within the group.

Updated 5/3/2005 by L.W.B.