The evaluation included a review of the web site, an analysis of the discussion areas, and interviews with the instructors. We found that a certain type of acknowledgement feedback was often overlooked by instructors. In addition to providing prompt feedback on the quality of the submission, online instructors need to promptly acknowledge the receipt of an assignment or assignments need to be posted in an electronic submission box where the students can verify that it has been deposited. We found that instructors often needed help with developing assignments that required meaningful peer interactions online. Facilitating asynchronous discussions online is quite different from facilitating group discussions in a classroom.
Instructors often struggle in making the transition.
Students need a task to focus their discussion and some type of end product that can bring closure to the discussion. Multiple posting from the students in the wrong discussion space is a clear indication that the discussion structure is too complex. The number of institutions with site licenses for the Flashlight Current Student has reached about 200 colleges, universities, corporations, hospitals and schools around the world. Among these are forty-six institutional members of our leadership group, the Flashlight Network . In addition to extensive program benefits, Network institutions are working with our staff to develop the next generation of evaluation tools and consulting services.