Essay On Student-Student Relationships

For example, Ayliffe, a young cyber student from Canada, describes her teachers as “not like authority figures but like friends, someone to help [her] grow and learn” (McLean). All in all, better communication promotes better understanding of the course material on the student’s side and improves student-teacher-parent relationships. Perhaps more important to highlight than student-teacher relationships are student-student relationships in an online setting.

Student discussion is an integral part of the functionality of online classes. Threaded discussions, which are included in most online classes, promote interactivity among students. The instructor of uses essential questions as discussion topics, which can aid in student learning and understanding (Kachel). These discussions are asynchronous, which allow students take their time creating well-thought out responses rather than blurting the first thing that comes to mind (Kachel). Discussion brings out critical thinking and forces students to reflect on the information they are studying; debate among students within the forum is encouraged

In most online classes, teachers grade assignments quickly and provide extensive feedback directly to the student (Kachel). With the inclusion of teacher feedback in failed or poorly attempted assignments, students are more likely to reach expectations (Kachel). Student to student feedback can also reap benefits: the nature of online learning creates anonymity for students, so they give honest remarks, though not destructive (Kachel). Feedback, either from teacher or student, tells the receiver what they are doing wrong or what they could do better which improves the quality of their future work and their understanding. Online courses can be useful to get students ahead in school or improve their communication skills, but for those who are behind in school or have little communication skills, it is more