Setting Assignment Expectations for Your Online Students

Learners and instructors are accustomed to impromptu questions regarding written assignments. But remember, in the online environment instructors and learners are not necessarily present at the same time. Therefore, it is imperative to provide students with details explaining expectations and requirements of the course. Don’t assume anything – if you do, you may be inundated with emails.

Think about the questions that students ask in the traditional classroom:

  • How long should the paper be?
  • How many sources do we need to cite?
  • What is the expected format?
  • How do we submit?
  • When do we submit?
  • When will we get a grade?
  • How will it be graded?
  • How much of it will count toward the final grade?
  • What are the penalties for turning the assignment in late?

Well, you get the idea. The questions that students ask in the traditional classroom are the same ones they will ask in the virtual classroom. Therefore, the more detail you provide to students up front, the less time you will spend responding to queries from students regarding these concerns. Details will help diminish learners’ anxiety and support them in spending their time and energy in completing the assignment.

What do you do to set assignment expectations?