Going into the second week of the ATS program, I feel more settled down and comfortable with the materials in the course. The topic of this week is about content and engagement for students. Community of Inquiry really stands out. This really echoed with me. According to my experience as a student for online courses, knowledge, social engagement, and support from instructors and peers are three key elements for a successful online learning experience.

Knowledge is one of the most important aspects of any course. With instructors’ teaching experience and expertise in their field, instructors usually have no problem delivering a knowledgeable online course. However, it is still a question mark if instructors can adjust the difficulties of the courses based on different students and help students digest obscure theories.

A well-designed course in Canvas lets students feel a sense of community. Students who take online courses, like me, are usually sitting in a chair, staring at the screen, and clicking the keyboard rapidly. Collaborative projects, discussion boards, small study groups, etc. can be a nourishing ground for the student community to grow on itself.

The last point goes hand-in-hand with the previous two points. With the amount of support others provide, it makes a lot easier for students to keep focused, enjoy, and excel in the course. Instructors should show themselves as a real human being instead of just a name. By providing frequent and supportive feedbacks and interactions with students, it brings instructors and students closer and keep students engaged in the online courses.