Know your students
Who are your students?
The answer to this question will only be fully revealed during your course as you get to know individuals and their motivations, strengths, and challenges – but you can learn a lot about them before the course begins. Discuss the cohort/students with your Program Chair and other Program Faculty and Staff. They will likely have valuable information to share.
Students come to a course with their own unique prior knowledge, assumptions, and emotional associations related to the course concepts and structure. In addition to the subject matter, they may also arrive with varying levels of comfort or expertise in the skills that, while not core to your course, are required for participation or evaluation (e.g. technology use, reading skills, written or verbal communication, …). You may want to spend a bit of time thinking about who your students will be. Try answering to the following questions:
- What knowledge, experiences, and initial feelings do students usually have about this subject?
- What motivates students to enroll in this course? What goals and expectations do they bring with them?
- How much experience do students have in a college/university setting? How strong are their study skills, technology skills, etc.?
- What is the life situation of the learners (working, family, professional)?
- Will some the students already be familiar with each other?
For each question, consider both the “typical” student and the range and diversity within the student body. In your design plan to address the needs and challenges of the diverse range of learners who may enter your class. Think about how your course will work for those who are the far ends of the spectrum of prior knowledge, ability, or comfort.
Once you’ve answered these questions, consider the implications for your course. For example, if you anticipate that some students may be new to working and learning online, you may need to provide them with resources that provide a basic orientation to the online environment. Or, if you’ve identified that some of your students may be part of a cohort with prior experience learning together, you will need to consider that they may bring with them relationships or expectations (both positive and otherwise) formed previously. Not every answer will lead to a clear implication, but it’s worthwhile to reflect on your responses and write down any implications that emerge.