Academic-Capital

For the online faculty member, his or her workplace is behind a computer.   Often we feel isolated and alone.   Imagine what it must be like for our students who may need someone to connect to virtually (e-connectivity).    “ It’s not enough for a course to be accessible online, it must also be designed in a way that keys into the digital pulse of current events, trending topics and insider knowledge endemic to the web. The three-quarters of 18 to 29 year-olds who have profiles on social networks are likely wondering why online course offerings aren’t nearly as enticing as the content that they find on their favorite social websites.” (Masoni) As the current Allstate ad says… “we want more, we just want more”.   Students want a relationship with the instructor.   Students need reassurance there is a real instructor and person behind the text who is active and engaged. Two methods to provide more for your students are to build trust and to model behavior that you expect f