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Lessons Learned Online. Julia E. Benson Assistant Professor of Computer Science Georgia Perimeter College. #10. Expect greater-than-normal attrition in an online class. Unrealistic expectations >50% attrition is not uncommon. #9.
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Lessons Learned Online Julia E. Benson Assistant Professor of Computer Science Georgia Perimeter College
#10 • Expect greater-than-normal attrition in an online class. • Unrealistic expectations • >50% attrition is not uncommon
#9 • The online student population is different from the on-campus student population. • Motivated • Mature • Focused • Still high-maintenance
#8 • Top-quality materials are critical. • Textbooks • Ancilliaries • Corollary: Even top-quality materials will need supplements and enhancements.
#7 • These materials will contain errors. • Some known, • Some not. • Corollary: Your students will be happy to point out those errors.
#6 • Personal contact is the most important key to success. • Asynchronous • email • bulletin boards • Synchronous • chat/IM • telephone
#5 • Online courses do not take less time than on-campus courses. • Not for students • Not for faculty
#4 • Have a backup plan…or two…or three. • Backup all materials • Locate and use an alternate server
#3 • Everything will take longer than you think. • Release time matters more than money • Learn the point of diminishing returns
#2 • Don’t expect to get it perfect the first time, • or the second time, or ever • Expect to constantly revise everything
and finally…… #1 • A sense of humor is absolutely mandatory. • Mistakes will happen • Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself!
Contact Information • Department of Business/Computer Science/Georgia Perimeter College2101 Womack Road, Dunwoody GA 30338 • (770) 551-3140 • jbenson@gpc.peachnet.edu • http://www.gpc.peachnet.edu/~jbenson/ • http://oiit.peachnet.edu/