Securing the Success
of Your Online
Students
Toosdhi M. McGowan,
EMBA, MPH, MSW, CHES
SDICCCA Intern
March 31, 2006
Objectives

Identify potential barriers to student
online success

Create a 360 degree feedback loop
between instructor and students

Integrate student-centered tools to
course web pages
Who Takes Online Courses?
First-time students
 Returning students
 Working students
 Students with families
 Students who travel frequently
 Students with limited transportation
options
 Students with limited physical abilities
 Active duty military

Potential Barriers
Unclear instructions given
by instructor
 Poor student preparation
 Dead links
 Too many clicks
 Software incompatibility
 Equipment limitations

360 Degree Feedback Loop
Clearly outline expectations
 Identify preferred/most
effective communication
methods
 24 hour maximum response time on
emails
 Discussion board/thread specifically for
course questions or concerns
 Tips/examples of effective emails

Effective Emails
Subject line – Course number
 Include name
 Questions at the beginning of the email
 Multiple questions/concerns – number
the items
 Post examples of effective and
ineffective emails
 Spelling/grammar check

Effective Email

Good Evening Professor McGowan,
I am writing because I have two questions:
(1) How do I change my email address? My email
address is heather_b@k12.ca.us. I would like to have
it changed so that I can receive the appropriate
emails.
(2) I was looking at my grade and noticed that I did
not get full credit on my discussions for unit 1. Can
you clarify and/or double check to see if I did it
correctly?
Thank you very much for your time in advance!
Heather B.
heather_b@k12.ca.us
Ineffective Email

Professor McGowan,
I wanted to share with you a concern that I might
have with this course. Along with being a full-time
first year teacher I run two programs on
campus. Right now I am in the middle of my dance
teams competitive season. On February 18 we will
be in at our USA regional competition. We typically
leave on the bus around 6am and don't return home
until 10pm. I'm concerned because we have our
School Health Laws project due that day plus our
regular discussions. Is there anyway I can turn the
project in on Sunday or on presidents day? I will do
my best to stay ahead of schedule but I wanted to tell
you about my situation early on in the class.
Thank you,
Cameo F.
Student Centered Web Pages

Introduction/ice breaker discussion
board

Post important documents in multiple
areas on the website

Troubleshooting methods for website
problems readily available
Student Centered Web Pages
 Leave
announcements on website
for entire course
 Encourage
students to use
classmates as resources
 “Water
cooler” discussion board
Water Cooler Discussion Board
CSET Exchange
I noticed that a lot of you have taken the CSET or
portions of it and a lot of you will be taking the exam in
the near future. Please use this board to post questions
and provide resources regarding the CSET, the RICA or
any other exam. I am sure that your classmates will be
very grateful. Good luck to all of you on those exams
and thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge!
:-)
Prof. Mc
Recommendations
ALWAYS instruct students to complete
Orientation/Training course
 Syllabus review
 Check all web links
 Ask someone to navigate your course
 Test assignment
 Motivate your students
 Share something personal

Motivate, Encourage and Inspire

Hello all,
Everyone did exceptionally well on the Health Lesson
Plan Critique assignment. I'm looking forward to
more of the same on the School Health Laws. Keep
up the great work!
Prof. Mc
~Take up leisure activities that please and satisfy
you.~
Teachers are People Too!

Hi Class,
I've been an adjunct professor with NU for over four
years. I have lost track of how many times I have
taught this class both on ground and online. I have
also taught the class using iLinc. In my full time job I
work for the County of San Diego in the Health and
Human Services Agency as a contract
administrator. In my free time I enjoy reading, playing
basketball, quilting and of course, teaching teachers
about health education.;-)
Prof. Mc
Gratitude

Prof. McGowan,
I very much enjoyed taking this course from
you. Do you teach other online courses at
NU? If so, and I can request to be placed in
your class, I'd like to do so.
Best regards,
Ruth L.
~Questions~
Contact Information
Toosdhi M. McGowan
SDICCCA Intern
toosdhi@hotmail.com