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Everything Virtual Teaching Assistants and Faculty Need To Know About Online Students

Online Students working in online education

By 2027, the number of online learning users is expected to reach 57 million. As schools transition to online education, educators must understand the type of students they will encounter. Unlike traditional classrooms, virtual classrooms are filled with learners from various backgrounds with different life experiences, academic levels, and technological abilities. 

If you are a virtual teaching assistant, you must answer questions, provide feedback, and offer guidance on coursework. Your personalized approach can help students feel more connected to the course and motivated to succeed.

Let’s explore some key considerations that virtual teaching assistants and faculty should consider when dealing with online students.

Characteristics of Online Students

Self-Motivated and Disciplined

They are committed to their academic goals and can stay focused on their studies without external supervision. They also take responsibility for their own learning and proactively seek help when needed.

Strong Time Management Skills

Online students need to be able to manage their time effectively, as they often juggle multiple responsibilities. They need to be able to prioritize their studies, meet deadlines, and allocate time for other personal and professional commitments. Successful online students can create and stick to a schedule that works for them.

Tech Savvy

Students can easily navigate online learning platforms, use various digital tools and resources, and communicate effectively through digital channels such as email, video conferencing, and discussion forums.

Challenges Faced by Students in Online Learning

Technical Difficulties

Students may face issues such as slow internet connectivity, computer problems, and software glitches. Technical difficulties can disrupt their studies and cause them to fall behind on coursework.

Tight Schedule

Online students often manage multiple responsibilities such as work, family, and social commitments. Poor time management can lead to missed deadlines, incomplete assignments, and poor grades.

Feelings of Isolation

Online students may feel isolated and disconnected from their peers and instructors. They may miss the social interaction and support that comes with traditional classroom learning.

Balancing Personal and Academic Responsibilities

Students may feel overwhelmed by the demands of their coursework and personal lives.

Strategies for Engaging Your Online Class

Set Clear Expectations and Instructions 

Online students need clear expectations to stay on track and avoid confusion. As an instructor, you can provide clear instructions and expectations for assignments, quizzes, and exams. 

Use Interactive Technology Tools 

Consider using interactive videos, virtual whiteboards, and online quizzes to keep students engaged and motivated.

Encourage Collaboration and Discussion

Take advantage of online discussion forums or group projects so they can stay engaged and motivated throughout the course.

Improve Online Education With Instructional Connections

Virtual teaching assistants and faculty must foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment to create a successful learning experience for all students. At Instructional Connections, we serve more than 50,000 students at over 50 universities, adapting to various types of educators and online students. 

Our 14 years of industry experience have enabled us to create a diverse approach for various students who chose online education over in-person classes. To learn more about our diversified approach and virtual assistant teaching model, send us a message or call us at 888-221-2418.

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5 Online Learning Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Online Learning Challenges and their fixes

Despite the popularity of online learning, it’s not for everyone. While online learning offers flexibility, convenience, and access to a broader range of courses, it also presents challenges for virtual teaching assistants, professors, and students. Let’s explore the everyday challenges of online learning and strategies to overcome them.

Online Learning Challenges Experienced by Students

1. Technical Difficulties

It’s common for students to experience frequent technical issues during online learning. These technical issues can range from poor internet connection to malfunctioning hardware or software, which can cause delays and disruptions that make it difficult for students to follow the lesson plan and complete their assignments on time.

One strategy to manage technical difficulties is ensuring students have access to reliable technology, including a good internet connection, up-to-date hardware and software, and adequate technical support. It is also helpful for faculty to provide professors and students with clear guidelines and resources for troubleshooting technical issues.

2. Time Management and Staying Motivated

Online learning requires self-discipline and time management skills. Without the structure of a physical classroom, it can be challenging for students to stay on track and avoid procrastination. Aside from that, the lack of face-to-face interaction with professors and peers can lead to feelings of isolation and demotivation.

To help improve time management, professors should provide students with a clear schedule and expectations for coursework and assignments. Professors can also encourage students to create their own daily or weekly schedule that includes time for coursework, assignments, and other responsibilities. Another option is to establish regular check-ins to support and give students accountability.

To stay motivated in online learning, professors and students should set goals, establish a daily routine, stay connected with peers, take regular breaks, and celebrate achievements. These strategies provide direction, structure, support, and positivity to help overcome the challenges of virtual education and stay engaged throughout the learning process.

3. Students Being Left Behind

Distance learning can also pose a challenge for students who struggle to keep up with the course pace, particularly those with learning disabilities or diverse learning styles. In-person support from professors isn’t always available in online courses, which further accentuates these challenges.

To avoid students getting left behind, professors can provide additional resources and support for struggling students. This can include tutoring services, online resources, or small group sessions.

4. Distractions Everywhere

Many distractions can interfere with studying and learning. Social media, email, and other online platforms can quickly distract students from their coursework and make it challenging to stay focused.

Professors should set clear guidelines for online behavior during class to overcome distractions – like turning off devices and avoiding certain websites. Encouraging a dedicated study area and using productivity tools like apps or browser extensions can also aid their focus.

5. Socializing With Peers

The lack of face-to-face interaction with professors and peers can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection, which tends to happen with students who thrive on social interaction.

Professors should facilitate opportunities for students to collaborate and connect with peers, including online forums or discussion groups, virtual study groups, and group assignments. Regular office hours, social activities, and community-building exercises can foster these connections.

Simplifying Online Learning With Instructional Connections


Online learning challenges are common among students. By understanding the challenges and implementing strategies to overcome them, professors and students can successfully navigate online learning environments.

At Instructional Connections, we understand these challenges and do our best to simplify the online learning experience. We offer a unique Academic Coaching Model that provides universities with student-centric and faculty-centric support. Our services are designed to address the needs of universities facing the 21st-century demand for online degree programs and courses.

Let us help you overcome these challenges. Call us at 888-221-2418 or contact us through our website.

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Common Problems Students Face in Online Learning

Online Learning on a laptop

Distance learning is not a new concept. However, as it has become an increasingly popular teaching method over the years, many issues in the virtual classroom have come to light. Adapting to a new teaching method can significantly impact the way in which students learn, and given that many students are still opting to take remote classes, it’s important that we continue to address the issues that impede student development. 

In this article, we examine some obstacles that make online learning difficult and offer solutions to solve them faster.

Online Learning Issues and Possible Solutions

Professors and their virtual teaching assistants can help students smoothly transition from in-person to virtual courses if they consider the following challenges.

Distractions

Since students are not in an actual classroom, distractions are unavoidable. Additionally, students don’t typically have the same level of privacy they had at university because they often share the house with the rest of their family, so concentrating can become difficult.

The best solution to this problem is to create a schedule with family members. Students should let their families know when they need a quiet study room to follow the class lecture in peace.   

Low Motivation

People are generally very active and sociable and need communication with colleagues to remain productive. Therefore, isolation in a virtual classroom affects motivation, which may result in procrastination.

To overcome this issue, the best solution is for professors or virtual teaching assistants to continue creating schedules or to-do lists that encourage students to keep going and not abandon the work. Also, it is necessary to carve out time for students to keep in touch with their colleagues. Hosting workshops or study meetings is a great way to encourage students to collaborate on their homework.

Technical Problems

When online learning began increasing in popularity, connecting to Zoom or Google Meetings proved challenging, as these platforms were underdeveloped for such a massive shift. Students and professors faced various technical issues and problems that often prolonged class time.

Besides always looking for trustworthy platforms and ensuring students have a reliable internet connection, there isn’t much that can be done regarding technical issues. However, when these issues arise, it’s important for students to contact their professors immediately to ensure they can follow the lecture as seamlessly as possible. 

Poor Interaction = Boredom

Upon transitioning from an actual classroom to a virtual one, students often report feeling bored or less interested in the subject due to decreased interaction with professors and peers. Additionally, students are typically required to complete their assignments independently instead of collaboratively in a virtual environment, further contributing to poor peer interaction.

Although professors always remain available for their students, the motivation for students to keep up with deadlines slowly decreases over time, and the syllabus becomes difficult to follow. One solution to this problem is for students to initiate open discussions with their peers to share ideas and offer constructive feedback on assignments. 

Teaching Assistants Help Overcome Remote Learning Obstacles

Teaching assistants have slowly become integral to any classroom, especially virtual ones. At Instructional Connections, we have helped over 50,000 students in more than 50 universities meet their learning goals online and gain the knowledge to develop their studies further.

To learn more about what our team can do for you, feel free to reach out to us – we’re always happy to help!

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The Biggest Challenges of Online Teaching

Online Teaching Issues & Solutions

As distance learning has become more common, teachers and students have had to adapt to follow the syllabus.

When distance learning was introduced on a more regular basis, many students felt demotivated, while teachers reported that they were falling behind academically. Additionally, students became less responsible and less active during lectures.

And while online teaching holds its unique set of challenges, the educational system as a whole must address these challenges to resume the mission of creating competent academic citizens. Here are some of the biggest obstacles facing online teaching today and how to overcome them. 

The Critical Challenges

Remote and face-to-face teaching are very different methods of lecturing the same material. However, as teaching methods have shifted over the years, many students worldwide have chosen to continue their studies online. As such, teachers have had to adapt to adequately connect with their students online.

Passive Classrooms

Looking at a PowerPoint presentation and listening to the teacher’s lecture for 45-50 minutes, followed by homework assignment instructions for the next day, leads to passive students. Hence, their academic development stagnates.

To thoroughly soak in the new material, students need more interaction. Teachers must revise their plans for the day and find exciting ways to engage students to practice what they’ve learned.

Remote Peer Collaborations

Peer collaboration is a proven method for learning. However, achieving this in a remote classroom can be challenging.

It can be difficult to facilitate peer collaboration in a remote setting, and oftentimes teachers are unsure how to do so. However, the potential benefits of peer collaboration – even when done remotely – make this learning method one that teachers should focus on. 

In a remote classroom, teachers can help foster collaboration by creating student groups ahead of time, assigning different roles to each student, setting goals and making expectations clear,  and prompting students to share their thoughts and opinions virtually with their classmates.

Students must engage with the topic to complete the assignment and better communicate with their peers.

Using the Right Teaching Platform and Tools

More than 700 colleges in the US registered on Zoom in 2020, but connection issues often disrupted the lectures.

Although these disconnections were primarily short, they greatly distracted students. Therefore, reliable platforms that won’t interrupt the class with a glitch are imperative. Moreover, teachers should also consider using educational tools to engage students in the lecture.

Conducting Effective Examination

One of the most serious challenges universities face with online teaching is choosing the proper examination tactic. If not conducted effectively, universities create underskilled academic individuals in the future.

Each subject has specific skills students should acquire during the course. To assess students’ performance to the best abilities, universities have a few open options.

  • Open-book exams – This assessment focuses solely on students’ critical thinking, analysis, and reflection on the material. In such exams, students receive a specific subject matter they must complete in a given time, but they can use notes and books to support their statements.
  • Proctored Exams – A proctored exam is a monitored examination. An instructor or an authorized invigilator will monitor the student during the test. The proctor ensures that the exam’s norms and regulations are followed.

Get More Instructional Strategies from Instructional Connections

Remote learning has slowly become the norm in the educational systems, and colleges and universities need more support to conduct online classes successfully. However, with the right partner, these challenges become a thing of the past.

At Instructional Connections, we have identified these problems and have helped over 50 universities to overcome them. If your board struggles with issues related to remote learning, don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re happy to help!

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Five Common Questions About Virtual Teaching Assistants

Virtual Teaching Assistants working on a laptop

Every college or university faces online-learning difficulties due to its various challenges. Teaching in a distance learning environment can be overwhelming, but it’s extremely rewarding for all parties involved when done correctly.

Since many universities and colleges pursue online teaching or have a hybrid system, Instructional Connections focuses on improving virtual learning with teaching assistants. 

In this article, we’ll answer the top five questions about teaching assistants and explain how they benefit university programs.

What are Your Teaching Assistants’ Qualifications?

At a minimum, all Instructional Connections Teaching Assistants (TA) have a master’s degree, but many have doctoral degrees. Our TAs are familiar with university lectures in virtual environments and understand how to improve student learning by encouraging their independence.

Professors can expect diligence, professionalism, and extra support from our TA to carry out the lectures successfully despite all online challenges. In other words, the TAs assist in grading and potentially monitoring discussion threads.

How do you Choose Teaching Assistants?

We value knowledge, dedication, and respect for the educational system. We are dedicated to improving virtual courses and employ only quality matches that recognize and appreciate our profession. Therefore, we conduct a strict pre-employment process before we assign you a TA. 

We review each applicant thoroughly, and if we consider them a good fit for our board, we invite the TA for a 4-6 hour-long screening process. During the screening, we assess their methodology, knowledge of online courses, and ways they could improve as a virtual assistant.

How Does the Academic Coaching Model Improve the Virtual Classroom?

One of the most common issues with virtual classrooms was passiveness due to isolation, resulting in low motivation among students. Many professors simply need to engage students and improve the atmosphere.

The Academic Coaching Model animates the class. Our TAs interact with students by monitoring discussion threads if requested. This helps them build an excellent foundation for independent learning.

How Does the Professor-Teaching Assistant Relationship Work?

The professor and TA have a straightforward relationship where the professor enlists their expectations of the approved and assigned Academic Coach. The professor has to arrange the objectives and roles of the month in advance, followed by the Teaching Assistant.

Can I Choose a Teaching Assistant?

Yes! The first stage of arranging an Instructional Connections TA is setting up a meeting. We must discuss your teaching program regardless if it’s a college, university, or course-specific type of teaching. You will have to explain your objectives, so we can match you with a fitting teaching assistant in the field. Once you choose one, we train our TAs to adjust to your program, plans for meeting the course objectives, and overall teaching methodology.

Hire a Virtual TA

Discuss your needs with Instructional Connections and see how our Virtual Teaching Assistants can enhance your distance learning environment!If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at any time. We’re here to help!

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Tips for Engaging Students in Online Learning

Engaging Students in Online Learning

Engaging students is hard enough in the physical classroom, but the tactics you use in person might work just as well online. And surprisingly, incorporating tried and tested working methods to engage students in learning isn’t as hard as it seems.

Like online courses, blended teaching, or what we now call hybrid learning, isn’t anything new — most importantly, it isn’t going away. In fact, all signs point to it being the future of learning. But for it to be as effective as in-person courses, it’s essential to ensure your students are soaking in the material.

Keep reading to learn Instructional Connections’ top tips for keeping students engaged in your university’s courses and how a virtual teaching assistant can help!

Help Students Create a Routine

To engage students from the get-go, give them some ideas to set a routine for their asynchronous work time. One example of this would be adding a post to the discussion board before starting their work for the class. This can be as simple as discussing what they did the previous weekend or what they’re looking forward to learning on the syllabus.

These simple routines at the beginning of each class can help students make natural connections with one another (and their professor) and open up — especially in an asynchronous setting.

If you have a virtual teaching assistant in your classroom, this is a perfect opportunity to help them get involved and connected to your students. If students feel comfortable with your virtual TA, they will also feel comfortable approaching a professor.

Use Interactive Content & Materials

This should probably go without saying, but it’s imperative to show students more than just a lecture packed with facts and instructions — all students learn differently. Professors should consider preparing or finding materials on certain topics that are easy to digest or designed to be more engaging. This will help lessons be more interactive and will naturally encourage student participation.

  • Try using videos or varied media in your online or hybrid course — they’ve proven valuable and engaging in education.
  • For both synchronous and asynchronous online learning, you can use a digital whiteboard to present information and solve problems with your students, show pictures and charts, and play clips, podcasts, and YouTube videos.
  • The internet is your friend! With the rise of virtual learning and a surplus of online materials, you can find interactive videos, quizzes, and other assets that supplement your lesson material. 

Incorporating a virtual teaching assistant into the classroom can help open up time for professors. Some professors may have their virtual TAs facilitate asynchronous discussions and other tasks.

Utilize Class Forums or Discussion Boards

Some students are more comfortable typing out their thoughts than sharing them in a recorded video format in class.

An online discussion space is an excellent opportunity for everyone to participate, give their opinion, become familiar with other students’ views, and learn proper etiquette for professional discussions. This learning activity also allows students to think about the question and form their thoughts and opinions at their own pace. Sometimes, the pressure of immediately answering a question in class or the anxiety of recording a video response causes students to freeze and have trouble giving their highest quality answers.

Virtual TAs have many roles in the classroom, but the program or professor’s needs always determine these roles. While some professors may have their Virtual TA monitor and respond to student questions and forum responses, some may want to do this independently to connect with their students. 

Virtual Teaching Assistants for Every University

At Instructional Connections, we make life easier for your professors. By providing support only where it’s needed, our virtual TAs allow your faculty members of record to focus on class engagement, course delivery, and student outcomes.

Learn more about our virtual teaching assistants and see how they can work for your university program.

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How to Effectively Deploy Your Virtual Teaching Assistant or Academic Coach

Teaching Assistants in an online classroom

An Academic Coach’s primary purpose is to provide instructional support to a faculty member in their online courses, thus adding another layer of support for students. While the Academic Coach is not an academic advisor, tutor, or personal mentor; they may perform a variety of tasks approved by the faculty of record for their assigned course. 

Though this blog will break down some effective ways to deploy our virtual teaching assistants to assist in managing student demands within an online course. However, it’s important to note that each faculty member will assign tasks based on their needs.

Read on to learn more about a teaching assistant’s role in a college course and how professors can effectively incorporate them into their classroom!

The Hierarchy of Professors, Academic Coaches, and Students

Knowing the place and responsibility of all class participants is essential. The professor is in charge and has the final say of what happens within the course, and they must maintain a presence within the online course. But where does the teaching assistant come into play?

Virtual teaching assistants are there to assist the professor with their students, not replace them entirely or allow for the professor to go on vacation. Professors are the ones who should be in charge of all the learning outcomes, curriculum, and policy decisions; while their TAs may assist with facilitation and grading as assigned.

The professor will drive all activities assigned to their virtual teaching assistants.  This is reviewed in a pre-course conference call with all TAs before the course starts.  Additionally, periodic conference calls should continue to take place throughout the duration of the course to make sure the professor and TAs are aligned and consistent with expectations.

What Academic Coaches May Do

Apart from establishing the teaching assistant’s role in your system, it’s important to make sure to have defined perimeters and routine communications. 

It is vital that the online course is ready for implementing virtual teaching assistants.  This would include making sure that each assignment has robust rubrics.  This is important for the student to understand the expectations and allow to allow the TA to grade an assignment in a consistent manner that aligns with the faculty’s expectations.  It would also be suggested that inter-rater reliability activities be performed to ensure the grading standards are met.

Academic Coaches should always acknowledge any student inquiries in a timely manner, even if the TA is not able to provide an answer.  The TA may need to ask follow-up questions to gather information to present to the faculty for a decision or follow-up. The TA should be a liaison between the students and the faculty.  The faculty may provide standard approved answers to common questions that may be expected from the students.  Some questions may be outside of the scope of the TA and require the student to be directed to another department such as Technical Support or the Registrar.

Increase Your Students’ Learning Ability With Instructional Connections

We are proud to be the only company in America that provides this kind of high-quality virtual instructional support to universities. Our academic coaches currently help over 50 online college programs and 50,000 students in need — all at the instruction and supervision of your professors.


If enrollment demands are extending your professors and they need assistance with the scaling of your online programs and courses, contact the Instructional Connections team today!

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Time-Saving Hacks for Teachers

Time-Saving Hacks in education

Time management is an essential part of everyone’s life. This is especially true for academic coaches with specific duties requiring careful planning. Many faculty report working around 54 hours per week, 

One can find numerous time management advice and solutions that could help with the organization of tasks. Yet, there is no magic recipe for managing time for any specific area.

Here are some hacks that can help academic coaches stay organized and manage their time better. 

Organization is Key

Time management means organizing all aspects of your life at home and work. Ideally, you’d want to do all tasks structured and efficiently. To have uninterrupted flow in your daily tasks, arrange and label items in your working environment in a way that structures your day but does not overwhelm you. 

To-do List and Routine Tasks

Check which of your routine tasks can be automated, delegated, or adjusted. Identify the most important ones and find ways to deal with the rest to save time.

Little organizational reminders like writing down your to-do list to avoid forgetting something can help. Remember to write even minor tasks, especially if they are time-sensitive. Once done, list the tasks by level of importance and plan your day accordingly.

If you benefit from an Academic Coach or Teaching Assistant assigned to your online course, delegate some tasks to them, such as grading or answering simple emails.  Be sure to provide detailed rubrics and inter-rater reliability activities to ensure the grading will be consistent with your standards and expectations.

The Importance of Planning Your Day

Try to estimate how much time you’ll need to complete a certain task. Allocating sufficient time to complete a task and ticking it off the to-do list will allow you to promptly complete it and move on to the next. This way, you can focus on completing one task before starting another and getting your work to flow smoothly.

Avoid picking one task, completing it halfway, and starting on something else. This will only create a chaotic and unproductive day.

Utilize Technology to Its Full Extent

Technology was invented to make our lives easy. Use all the available relevant technology for your online course. Use online planners for yourself and reach out to social groups or forums to share best practices or resources.

Enjoy all the help you can get from relevant programs. This will make your job easier and allow you more time to complete other tasks. 

Procrastination Is the Enemy

Putting off things we don’t like doing for later is another way of wasting time and still having to complete those things. Finish the things you must do before the things you enjoy doing. Remove all possible obstacles interrupting you during working hours and obtain a tunnel-vision mentality – focusing on one task at a time. 

For example, people spend a lot of time reading emails and not replying immediately, only to re-read them so they can respond. Email notifications can interrupt your working process, so turn them off. Choose a time when you will read and answer emails so you don’t feel distracted and aren’t split-tasking, which will slow you down.

The Best Online Academic Coach for Your Distance Learning Program

Instructional Connections is a third-party service provider of high-quality, asynchronous instructional support services to colleges and universities that offer online courses and degree programs. IC provides “Academic Coaches” to institutions that offer online courses and programs with a highly effective, scalable, and affordable instructional model. This model enables the faculty of record to focus and manage their time effectively on delivering learning objectives and outcomes while allowing the institution to scale the course to meet student enrollment demands.

Contact us today for any inquiries you may have, and we’ll be happy to provide the information you need.

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What Makes a Good Virtual TA/Academic Coach?

Academic Coach working on a computer

According to data from UNESCO, more than 1.2 billion students globally had stopped having face-to-face classes by mid-May 2020. When the majority of students worldwide switched from face-to-face to remote schooling, the faculty’s workload increased. Syllabi had to be replanned because the learning methods were changing to meet online realities and needs.

But virtual teaching has been around for quite some time and requires a special skill set. This article will discuss what makes a good Academic Coach.

Characteristics of a Good Academic Coach

Whether you’re an online or offline teaching assistant, the role requires you to possess certain skills and characteristics.

Be Compassionate

Compassion is crucial feedback that affects the overall learning progress of a student. Therefore, it’s an important skill for an Academic Coach to have. Understanding the students’ struggles and the faculty’s needs is essential for successful collaboration. 

Be Flexible

Academic Coaches must be able to adjust to changes. Sometimes during online requirements, students will face various challenges beyond their control, like technical issues or additional questions. Academic Coaches must adapt to the student’s and faculty’s needs efficiently. That’s why flexibility is the second most important skill for Academic Coaches.

Be Highly Organized

Academic Coaches are there for support during online courses. The successful collaboration between the faculty and the Academic Coach depends on good organization, effective time management, and planning. Therefore, the third imperative for this role is proper time management and overall organization.

Be Able to Communicate Efficiently

Academic Coaches are the bridge between students and professors. Keeping a steady and efficient communication flow is vital for achieving the best results. It’s also essential to actively listen and connect with the students and faculty members. 

Best Tips for an Effective Virtual Teaching Assistant

We’ve gone over some skills that make an excellent Academic Coach. Now let’s go over the best ways to master the role!

Know Your Field

All Academic Coaches must have a good level of subject knowledge. Academic Coaches aren’t only there to provide instructional support to students but to help them with any issues that may follow. Also, as Academic Coaches aren’t only communicating with students and professors, it’s crucial to learn more about professors’ teaching ideologies, habits, and the communication methods they use.

Have Patience

Some people have it naturally, while others have to work on it – either way, it’s paramount. The role of the Academic Coach makes even the calmest person work on their patience. You must anticipate various difficulties, problems, and last-minute changes. But, in all cases, you must respond professionally. 

Learn More with Instructional Connections

Our team at Instructional Connections is dedicated to improving online teaching by assisting faculty and universities. Our services help educational institutions face the challenges and demands of online degrees and courses. We are known for our high-quality instructional support services for both colleges and universities. 

If you are interested in becoming an Academic Coach with Instructional Connections, please apply HERE.

 If your institution is interested to learn more about implementing our Academic Coaches for the online course offerings at your university or college, please contact us.

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The Elements of a Solid Distance Learning Model

students working on a Solid Distance Learning Model

With at least 2,500 colleges already offering online programs, it’s no secret that distance learning has become an increasingly integral part of higher education. Instructors and academic coaches have had to work hard to develop a good model for teaching in this environment. But it’s not easy.

There are many different factors that need to be considered when developing an effective distance learning model. This article will discuss some of the vital elements of a solid distance learning model.

Constant Email Communication

It’s important for instructors, faculty, and teaching assistants to always open their email channels. Communication is an integral part of distance learning, and many interactions happen through email.

If instructors and faculty members are not responsive to emails, it can create a disconnection between them and their students. It’s recommended to answer emails from students within 24 hours, even if it’s only to stay: “I’ll have to research that and get back to you.”

For coursework that spans a holiday, educators should still try to be available for urgent inquiries from their students. However, high holidays like Christmas or Yom Kippur need balance and a break to be honored. In cases like this, course-related correspondences might be temporarily suspended, but educators should still try to check their emails at least once daily.

It’s also essential for educators to have someone ready to answer on their behalf if they cannot respond within a 24-hour window. Teaching assistants and academic coaches are generally expected to take over answering duties if the educator is not able to do so.

Utilizing Other Means of Communication

While email is generally considered the primary way for learners to get in touch with their teachers or professors, it’s by no means the only method of communication that can be used.

At the discretion of the school, phone calls, online chats or messengers through the university’s website, Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP), video conferences, and web meetings are popular ways for educators to connect with their students in a distance learning environment.

It’s essential to learn and become adept with these communication channels to have another option to connect with students in the most effective way possible.

Addressing Technology Glitches and Downtimes

Since the distance learning model heavily relies on technology to work, it’s wise for educators and academic coaches to be familiar with many common glitches.

Educators are expected to have at least basic troubleshooting knowledge on some of the most common issues distance learning programs face. These include:

  • Internet connection problems
  • Audio and video issues with webcams or microphones
  • Login issues with the learning management system (LMS)
  • Problems accessing or downloading course materials

When any of these happen, it’s important to be patient and have a backup plan ready. For instance, if there’s an issue with the LMS, educators can still send course materials to their students through email.

When responding to students affected by issues and downtimes, having a calm demeanor can help build confidence while waiting for a repair.

It’s also vital that educators and academic coaches report any instances of errors or downtime related to the LMS. While issues with learning management systems should be rare, notifying the administration about them can help prevent similar problems from happening in the future.

Addressing Student Problems

When an issue emerges with or from a student, educators are expected to address them as soon as possible. This is especially true for students who are worried or upset about a specific issue.

Addressing the issue within a 24-hour window is ideal, though some problems will require more time to resolve. If that’s the case, assure the student through email that their concern is currently being addressed and thank them for writing about the issue.

Often, students who have difficulty with the coursework or feel lost during a distance learning program simply struggle to keep up with the pace. That’s why educators need to be as understanding and helpful as possible when addressing student problems.

Keep These Elements in Mind

The elements of an effective distance-learning model are clear and concise communication, utilization of multiple communication channels, as well as addressing technology glitches and student problems well.

When educators and academic coaches keep these elements in mind, they can build a strong foundation for their distance learning program that will benefit them and their students.

Instructional Connections specializes in helping colleges and universities optimize their online learning programs by providing online academic coaches. Contact us today, and our team will be happy to discuss how we can help your institution.
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