1) Communication is essential in online courses as it promotes interaction between students and instructors. This interaction enhances learning through the sharing of diverse perspectives. 2) Instructors should provide clear expectations for discussion participation and give feedback to students. Popular methods of interaction include discussion boards, emails, and video chats. 3) Relating course content to personal experiences and applying it to daily life helps students make the knowledge their own. Feedback from instructors is also important to guide student learning.

1. Lesson 3: Communication in the Online Class

4. What does this Mean to You?

10. Value of Participation Think about the role of participation and the value it has in helping students understand and apply the concept on which they are learning. This will also help to strengthen their written assignments and enhance their overall learning experience.

13. Make Learning a Part of Themselves Students do not learn much just sitting in classes listening to teachers, memorizing prepackaged assignments, and spitting out answers. They must talk about what they are learning, write reflectively about it, relate it to past experiences, and apply it to their daily lives. They must make what they learn a part of themselves”. -Chickering and Ehrmann, 1996, p. 3

19. Closure Discussion and the sharing of ideas and information is the foundation of an online course and promotes active learning. No two people are the same. Each person has an unique set of skills, knowledge, and experiences. This is why communication is such a powerful tool for an online course. When different people share information, the ability to obtain knowledge is maximized.