Dynamic Communication

In teaching in an asynchronous, online setting; I have found that ongoing and consistent communication is vital to the success of my students. Over the years I have changed my approach from communicating progress primarily to stakeholders to communication primarily to students and attaching stakeholders to the communication. In addition I have found that targeting communication to be specific has drastically increased the amount of efficient support I am able to provide to students and their stakeholders. In reading through various tips and best practice strategies for educators on communication, I am affirmed that formulating emails and texts to specific information to the student is great for eliciting responses. In addition, making the tone more personal and approachable opens the door for further questions and requests for help should that be needed. I disagreed with Nancy Bailey's article on the fails of classroom dynamics and socialization in the online setting. I have found that preparing students for their next steps in life needs to include being able to communicate effectively online. By modeling appropriate, polite responses and having a dialogue allows students to practice how to be professional as well. Without dynamic communication, personalized learning would not be able to occur. Communication is a vital component to the success of each individual student.

Recent Examples of Communication

Student Initiating Communication

I encourage students to respond to my check-in email attempts. When they respond with problems, I look for possible solutions and then ask for their feedback. I have found this approach to be most motivating for getting a student that was not progressing to actual make progress. If I just emailed with steps laid out inititally, it often was not implemented.

Regular Communication of Expectations

I encourage students with priorities and then next steps. I try to keep the emails short and sweet but condensed with valuable information that they know exactly what is required out of them. I often take pictures of parts of their course so they can know exactly what I am referring to with a visual.

Ongoing Communication to Build Relationships

When communicating with students and their stakeholders, I try to have a personal element first (like Happy Halloween) followed by specific information they need to know. By checking in every couple of weeks in my support role, I have found that I am not inundating with check ups but not letting them fail too hard that we can't work to get back on track. I have also found that praising students for their hard work and great progress made goes a very long way and is much appreciated. It's easy to get too busy to focus on the good progress, but students need the positive feedback as well.

References:

Alawamleh, M., Al-Twait, L. M., & Al-Saht, G. R. (2020, October 17). Effect online learning on communication instructor student during COVID-19 pandemic. Emerald Insight. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/remote-hub/docs/effect-online-learning-on-communication-instructor-student.pdf
Bailey, N. (2018, November 24). Personalized (online) learning fails at classroom dynamics and socialization. Nancy Bailey's Education Website. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://nancyebailey.com/2018/11/24/personalized-online-learning-fails-at-classroom-dynamics-and-socialization/
Classroom Communication Tips. The Harriet W. Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.brown.edu/sheridan/teaching-learning-resources/teaching-resources/classroom-practices/classroom-communication/tips
Johnson, S. M. (2020). Communicating with students. Vanderbilt University. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.vanderbilt.edu/cdr/module-2/communicating-with-students/
Phillips, K., & Jenkins, A. (n.d.). Communicating personalized learning to families and stakeholders ... Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://excelined.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Communicating-Personalized-Learning-to-Families-and-Stakeholders.pdf

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