As universities across the country begin to make the difficult decision to continue with online learning in the fall semester, faculty will again be asked to adapt their classes to an online format, writes Faculty Focus (July 27, 2020). Here are some ideas for individualized instruction that you may want to introduce into your online OM course to increase student engagement.
- Making Content Manageable. In an individualized instruction model, students have the freedom to work through course material at their own pace while being provided a safety net of support from course staff to shepherd them through the course. For example, divide the content into 10 units which are each assessed about one week apart. Breaking the material down into these manageable chunks is important in keeping students from becoming overwhelmed with the content. For each unit, provide students with a list of concepts and objectives you expect them to master by the end of their study on the unit. They can take advantage of text readings, online supplemental materials, your mini-lecture videos, and tutoring sessions.
- Flexibility. One of the most important aspects of any individualized instruction model is scheduling. Students should adhere to a “deadline schedule” to ensure they continue progressing through the course, and have a “deadline” by which they need to complete each unit. You can, of course, provide flexibility on deadlines.
- Interacting with Course Staff. Students seem to prefer scheduling individual (or small group) meetings with course staff over virtual office hours or weekly review sessions. While course content can be disseminated via recordings of your lectures, viewing of these lectures leave students with “Zoom fatigue.” Small group interactions succeed in keeping students engaged and learning.
- A Point Person for Every Student. Assigning every student to a course staff member as their point-of-contact means students develop relationships with someone who provides regular contact via 1-on-1 tutoring and guidance through the assessment process.
- Building Community. From day one have students assign themselves to small group discussion sessions that meet during the first 4 weeks of the class. In these sessions, students get to know each other, get to know course staff, and begin to familiarize themselves with the resources available to them for the course.