Expectations About Online

Even if students haven't verbalized them, they have expectations of how their online course will operate—and how they and you will operate. Some of them may be unrealistic expectations. The first one that comes to mind is, "This is an online course; it will be a breeze!" Addressing this one head-on is critical in any online course. The benefit of online learning is flexibility, not  ease. I like Best Colleges Online's response to this; the quotation below capsulizes it.

“If you're expecting a class to be easier just because you're taking it online, you're going to be sorely disappointed. Online classes are no easier than classes offered in the traditional classroom setting and in some cases can be even be more difficult. (para 1)

Capturing a sense of the perspectives of your students, particularly if you primarily have new-to-online learners, will help you to "know where they're coming from." This, in turn, helps you acknowledge fears and apprehensions and to discuss them so they are put into better perspectives. I've outlined an assignment you might want to implement in your course.

An Idea for Your Course

Ask each student post a one- to three-paragraph description that includes the responses to the following questions:

  1. What do you believe is the biggest difference you will encounter in the online classroom compared to a traditional classroom in which you've had a class in the past?
  2. What is your greatest fear/apprehension/anxiety is about an online course?
  3. Where will you turn when you have difficulties in the online environment?
  4. What will it take for you to consider this online venture a success?

Gathering this information helps you affirm that everyone has apprehensions in new situations, offer explanations for areas of concerns, share institution or Web resources that they may have overlooked or not known about, and help them to begin to think in terms of success rather than failure.

So what types of things do learners expect of their faculty? The next section shows that responsiveness is at the top of the list.