Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for sharing this good information on how to deal with online students. See the big picture is important for instructors and your advice helps them to do just that.
Gary
It is wise for instructors to revisit their teaching methodologies because there is always room to learn and grow, and thereby become better, fair, and effective instructors.
We need to refocus to remember the commitment. To forget the complaining, whining, the totally disconnected learners who have yet to become involved in the course, etc. This happens online. The online environment is accelerated and with an assignment every week, with learners who are really not participating but once a week realizing that it wasn't enough (although they knew that) you have to step back. Perhaps you are not responding immediately but letting responses sit the full 48 hours (or the maximum allowed) gives everyone breathing room. To understand that it is not just the learners but YOU that are suddenly being held accountable for the learners not being involved. You have to remain calm, you have to dig down deep and find the issues, identify the resources that have always been available and help the learner smove forward. Kathleen
Hi Lacey,
You make a number of very good points about how to keep the course and yourself excited about what you are doing. This to me is the fun part of teaching, new students and new approaches let you be creative.
Gary
Hi Vincent,
Good point about needing to remain fresh when presenting. A way to do this is to develop a different way of presenting a topic in the course. The new approach will let you use your creativity and will expand your instructional skill development.
Gary
Hi Keegan,
What are some ways you go about keeping yourself REFOCUSED and excited about your classes?
Gary
Instructors need to "REFOCUS" in order to be sure they're giving their all and being present in the moment.
With a subject one knows well its easy to get too comfortable and not keep things fresh.
"refocus" helps to keep the current students in mind and think of new ways to make the same material exciting and be sure all students are relating and benefiting.
Great points there Lacey, I forgot to bring up the points about the changing of technology as well as it's quite beneficial to use tools and technologies that the students are accustom to in their daily lives. I've been using YouTube links more often for simple tutorials such as zipping files rather than sending a list of steps as they can see exactly what they need to do.
It's common that instructors may fall into a trap especially when they are teaching the same class over and over again. One of my colleagues recently mentioned that they felt like teaching the same class was just basically "rewinding and pressing play". If we fall into the same habits and material, we're not focusing on the individual needs of the students but simply going through the same motions.
At some point, instructors should step back, review what works and doesn't work and improve on their material as needed based on each class/student.
Like most of us, I sometimes get tired of the "other" part of our job....the paperwork,retention,etc. When these problems creep up I try to take a deep breath and step back from my problems. Thinking about all the successes with past students helps put everything in perspective for me.I then remember why I like my job so much.......helping students be successful on their path. These ideals get me pumped up and now I can refocus on my students issues.
I feel that the best thing to do is not get stuck in a rut and realize that the dynamic changes with each new group of students. Education is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Additionally, technology is ever-changing. Instructors need to take the time to not only be up to date on their course content area but also in the area of educational technology. Putting thought into how technology can enhance course concepts is a worthwhile thought process.
Lacey Finley
You're the leader...when you're lost, so are they!
Refocusing gives us the opportunity to reflect on the HIGH points of our instruction. We can take a snapshot of those moments when students were engaged and actually enjoying the learning process, so we can do more of what students are hungry for. It's also an opportunity for us to evaluate what areas of instruction we "thrive" at. And we can continue to discover our strong points...these are the times typically where we are enjoying what we are doing.
Hi Christine,
Good to hear about the way you REFOCUS and get your excitement up. This to me is the fun part of teaching. To get to be creative and try something new is expanding my instructional skill level plus I get to see the students learn in new ways. Everyone wins in this situation.
Gary
It's so easy to become discouraged when a class starts falling below my initial expectations. The steps of REFOCUS are really crucial to regaining enthusiasm. Especially important to me has been the "surprise" section. I find that doing something new and unexpected to teach a particular portion of the class not only wakes the class up from their stupor, but gives me a new excitement about teaching because I am trying something new.
Hi Steven,
You are right about the lecturing part. You can talk but no listening is going on if there isn't any engagement. Students need to see the purpose of the content and how it applies to their career goals. Active participation helps this to occur.
Gary
We need to keep in mind what the students are experiencing and how they are seeing the class. A defined structure is a good thing, but remember to get active participation from the students. Lecturing doesn't accomplish anything much if they aren't actually listening.
Hi Brad,
You have a great attitude. Your dedication is what being an educator is all about. I wish you the very best as you enjoy your time with those that love you.
Gary
It's like when my doctor told me I had Cancer, Did I go into class the next day and cry or complain? No. Why? I'm going to die very soon because of my cancer.
The students don't need to know. I just need to refocus, My death, which is coming too soon, is not for the students to see or know. I must attend to the needs of my students.
I hope you never have to go through what waiting for me. God bless you all!
There are various reasons. To start with, just to make sure we are not becoming complacent in our teaching - what worked for the first part of the session may not work for the second part. We need to REFOCUS also to make changes from each time we teach the same class but different students. What works one time around may not work again. I teach in a technical school and the topics I teach change on an almost day to day basis due to changing technology. If I don't REFOCUS my teaching, my students and I will be left behind.
