Describe some of the challenges or obstacles you foresee as an online student and explain how you will set yourself up for succe
ss. REQUIRED: As you respond, specifically refer to at least three of the 7 Tips for Online Success you read about in the Unit 1 Challenge Activity article, “How Students Develop Online Learning Skills,” (Roper, 2007).
Studies of faculty adoption of instructional innovations and surveys of instructional practices in science and engineering have identified several factors that instructors often perceive as obstacles to using more research-based practices.
Time involved in learning about new strategies and redesigning courses
Concerns about ensuring that students are taught important content
Concerns about students’ reactions to an unfamiliar teaching method and the impact on student course evaluations
Concerns that a different strategy will not work as well, especially if it impacts tenure
Departmental norms about teaching methods and other expectations
Class size and classroom facilities
Course scheduling issues
Although some of these factors are more myth than reality, several can present genuine challenges. Henderson, Dancy, and Niewiadomska-Bugaj (2012) suggest that about one-third of the faculty who try at least one research-based strategy abandon their reform efforts, often when they are confronted with implementation challenges, such as student complaints, concerns about losing important content, or weaker than expected student outcomes. In addition, faculty members frequently modify a research-based strategy to suit their needs—a reasonable reaction, but one that can compromise effectiveness if the modifications omit elements that are critical to the strategy’s success.
