Planning for Teaching With the Web
Foster Positive Work Relationships With Your Students
Many distance learners appreciate the opportunity to do the PMHNP program from distance, citing familial, geographical or professional circumstances that would prevent them from participating in the program on campus.
While grateful for opportunity, however, many struggle with the fact that they work at a distance and have relatively less opportunity to work directly with instructors.
Find Out Who Your Students Are
Show your interst in who your students are by collecting brief biographical sketches, including information such as:
- Who they are
- Where they are located
- What they do professionally
- Why they are interested in this course or program.
- What experience (if any) they have with distance learning or being in a course with distance learners
You can also request digital photos from your students to help you associate names with faces, and if students are in agreement, some of this information can also be posted to the course web site to help students get to know one another.
- Making the Most of Your Time
- Define and Communicate Course Requirements
- Develop Guidelines for Instructor–Student Communication
- Foster Positive Work Relationships With Your Students
- Foster Community Among Students
- Course Website
- PowerPoint
- Online Discussion
Learn and Use Students' Names
If students are already feeling like they have limited opportunities to develop a relationship with you as the instructor, something as simple as remembering to use students' names in class and in email communication can help students realize that you are aware of who they are and are interested in helping them as learners in your course.
"Our instructor was encouraging, proactive, directive, resourceful.""We appreciate that our instructor attempts to keep us organized - responsive and helpful, comforting and understanding."
