More Tips to Motivate Online StudentsNovember 17th, 2008 by theProfessor |
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It is important that online students are kept abreast with the latest information and developments in their field of study. The professor should not stop learning about new things that will ensure not only his success but also that of his students.
Online classes require more motivational abilities because the students and the professor do not see each other eye-to-eye. It is more difficult to observe how students are, thus, it is imperative that the teacher needs to be more sensitive and more responsive to the needs of his students. These needs may be read from in between the lines or explicitly shown through their projects and other school work. The ability to see that beyond the virtual classroom does not only entail sensibility but also a keen sense of observation.
Just like a regular school, online colleges and universities also have attendance and tardiness policies. The professor should send an email to the student’s personal account and discuss the school’s policies in terms of attendance, grades, accountability, and responsibility for those who may have been absent for two or more sessions. The professor should reiterate that it is important for the online student to be more responsible and disciplined in order to succeed. In this way, the student will see the concern, be more open to discuss any issues he may have with the classes, and find ways to address them.
Humor should be present in classes, especially for the highly exhausted full-time working student. This is a great help to brighten their dampened spirits. An occasional outburst of laughter and joke time wouldn’t hurt.
Lastly, by offering positive reinforcement whenever possible, the teach shows that he is concerned to the success of the whole class as much as he is concerned with how he is doing in terms of imparting knowledge. Patience and offering to help the students while they adapt to the online classroom format and teaching style will definitely help them succeed and enjoy their classes.



