In an ordinary classroom, communication is easy. If you were on an ordinary course you could look each other in the eye and chat away as you usually do, and in doing so you would be cementing the relationships that underpin good academic interaction.
Communication is just as important on an online course, but it is not so easy. Your only way of communicating with fellow students, for example, is to get on the boards and say something! You can’t communicate by means of eloquent silence on an online course, and your grimaces and smiles will go unnoticed.
You can communicate with your tutor by e-mail, but your tutor will discourage this unless it is necessary (and sometimes it is necessary) because such communications are not open to others.
The discussion forums are the heart of an online course and I urge you to join in during every session even if it is only to say ‘hello’ or to post a message explaining your complete bemusement (or unavoidable absence)! More information on discussion forums and how to post messages can be found in the course website explored and explained.
topThere are two main kinds of discussion forum in this course: the class forums for discussions involving the whole class, and group forums for discussion in smaller groups. Everyone can view and contribute to the class discussions, whereas group discussions can only be viewed by members of the groups and the course tutor.
There will be about 15 students in each group. You have been allocated to a group on a random basis, and should already know which group you are in. Some of the activities done in groups will require a chair, so we will need some volunteers for each group. This will be explained in more detail by your course tutor during the course.
topIf you have a problem with the course materials, or if you wish to speak to your tutor privately, you can use e-mail. Your tutor will normally respond to your e-mail within two working days. You should have been given the e-mail address of your tutor, and your tutor will also have your e-mail address. If you forget your tutor’s e-mail address, you can click on the ‘Participants’ link in the ‘People’ block on the course homepage and then click on your tutor’s profile to view their e-mail address.
However, please remember that e-mail should generally only be used for private communication with your tutor. Whenever possible you should use the relevant discussion forum to ask questions about the course. We are an online community, and as such everyone stands to gain from having a vibrant online community. Your tutor will discourage private e-mails unless there is a good reason for their privacy.
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