Nine steps to quality online learning: Step 8: Communicate, communicate, communicate
For an online course, the instructor needs to rely heavily on written communication. The syllabus is the first major form of communication that is implemented into the course and it is imperative that the syllabus be clearly understood by learners.
Feedback on student progress and assessments will also be mostly written. Finding other ways to communicate, such as hosting live conferences for office hours and recording video introductions and feedback can help to bridge the gap.
Consider setting aside a few hours per week to build relationships with students and allow them to ask questions.
Much of the one-on-one contact between the instructor and a student will take place via email or written feedback on assessments. It is easy for tone to be lost within written communication.
Again, encourage students to utilize other means such as video conferencing or a phone call. Feedback can also be provided with a short video or audio recording.
Due to the lack of informal communication that often takes place in the classroom, it is important for the instructor to act as a facilitator to help students communicate effectively.
Discussion boards are a great tool for allowing students to interact and work on sharing their ideas. Providing opportunities for voice or video recordings to be a part of assessments or assignments can also be very useful.
Creating smaller groups can help students develop their voice in an online course as they are competing with fewer people to have their ideas heard.