http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#discussion http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12542
My biggest challenge in online teaching is that I have no shortage of interesting ideas, but I am not sure how to translate them into the online course. In a face to face class it's easy to be flexible and to show up in class one morning and try something a little different. In my online course, everything is pretty well set up before the term begins and it limits spontaneous changes or experimental activities. I have changed the course over the years, but it seems to take a large effort to set up all the changes in the course platform.
]]> Karin Kirk 1277220420 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12542 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12544 Sheila Roberts 1277222400 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12544 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12546 Eliza Richardson 1277225520 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12546 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12549 Eleanour Snow 1277230320 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12549 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12552 Ann Holmes 1277232360 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12552 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12553
To Ann - yes, each of my discussions open and close at specific times. They last from 1-3 weeks, depending on the topic.]]> Karin Kirk 1277240760 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12553 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12559
My discussions last for one week only, then we move on to the next subject.

My biggest challenge is make students understand that the amount in my class is significantly more than in a classroom setting where the clock strikes the end of the class and everyone rises from their seats and leaves, whether they understand the material or not -- it was simply time to go. There is no "end of class" in the self-paced format of online classes. However, this aspect cuts both ways, some students do the bare minimum while a significant percentage of the class, especially the motivated students, do far more than necessary, causing some to complain about the many hours they spend online each week (by their own design).]]> Donald Reed 1277269380 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12559 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12562 Sheila Roberts 1277304000 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12562 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12565 Mel Huff 1277310480 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12565 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12568 Eliza Richardson 1277312100 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12568 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12569 I would be interested in what you are doing with the virtual mineral id lab. The director of our school would really like to have our physical geology with lab course online.]]> Sheila Roberts 1277312700 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12569 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12570
I'm interested in hearing from those of you who do: how do you inspire enthusiasm for your subject matter while teaching an online course? How do you establish good connections with students who you never meet face-to-face? ]]> Selby Cull 1277315520 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12570 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12575 Karin Kirk 1277316960 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12575 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12576
In our physical sciences department, there is one oceanography class taught online, but no geology classes. One class I teach would be perfect for teaching online, so I'd like to be the first to take a geology class online. ]]> Meredith Denton-Hedrick 1277317020 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12576 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12580
I know there are lots of different ways to inspire enthusiasm among our online students but one of the common threads I see in my classes and in the activities that many of us are describing is getting students involved in doing something interesting: a case study, an interactive exercise, a virtual exploration, etc. It's my experience that once students are working on an activity questions will arise naturally and the amount and "depth" of discussions pick right up. There will always be students who are reluctant to participate in discussions or who resent that an online course often requires as much or more discipline and effort as a face-to-face course, but I find that if I take time to engage them in correspondence around an activity that even some of those students find they have something they want to contribute.]]> Bill Hirt 1277318040 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12580 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12584 Kelly Dilliard 1277318700 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12584 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12585 ]]> Kelly Dilliard 1277318880 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12585 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12598 Mel Huff 1277325060 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12598 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12614


One challenge I have is the sheer amount of reading involved to be successful both at teaching and at taking an online class. I find it really valuable to listen to and watch students in a classroom/lab setting and it's harder to observe them in a informal manner. It's also tough to just wade through the mounds of discussion and/or email that comes with an online class. ]]> Kristin Riker-Coleman 1277390700 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post12614 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post21767 http://www.tubal-reversal-surgery.net/contact-us]]> terri jhon 1355464260 http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online2010/discussions/my_biggest_chal.html#post21767