Since going to a virtual environment instead of face-to-face, I will use this information to do a better job at providing my students the support they need not only for learning, but also the technical support.
As an online Instructor it's very important that I know what course structure I will be using. The Most common structures are modules and lessons. It's also very important that I am fimiliar with the institutions online course delivery system. It will make things easier for me to track student progress, answer any questions students may have and/or post new questions for students to answer, posting announcements, view student profiles, post calendar events, delete postings, if needed, post grades, it's where your full course requirements will be posted, and more. The course requiements should include; Due dates, deadline for final grades, conditions in which you will grant extentions, polices on plagiarism, number of hours required, time frame a test or tests may be taken, group projects, instructions, and more, depending on your course and instituions requirements.
I learned that the instructor can take different methods to teach toward the common goal.I have also learned the best support system to use.
To improve the way I communicate be prepare, draft the message, check for unintended consequencs, and refine.
I learn different way to communicate, a body language, voice ton, and the words
Is very important understand the plataform that used, for that reason the communication is very necessary
Interesting topic with helpful information. As an Instructor I must know the subject thoroughly in order to pass the subject onto the students.
As an admissions counselor during COVID times, we have lost almost all in-person contact that we used to have with students. It used to be very important during interviews, financial aid sessions, and campus tours that they received all the information necessary but now these things are all being done online. It is hard to decipher if students are understanding all the information that is being given to them when it's over email and phone calls. It is easier to answer their questions over the phone, however, they tend to forget that information and ask again later when if you answer it in an email to begin with, they can always go back for reminders. It's important to be very clear in what you say to these students since we can be the reason they attend or not.
Yes, email onlearning is an important as classroom learning
Online Teaching Techniques --> Course Delivery topic was very interesting. I will definitely apply some of the 'techniques' mentioned.
I learned that as an online instructor - there are several ways to interact with the students and make sure that they are undersatnding the information in which you are delivering. As an instructor I need to have full understanding of the online platform I am using to effectively convey information.Make sure I learn how the navigate the system before making assignments for the students.
How to better prepare and deliver a more comprehensive and underdtandng when it comes to online learnig.
This is an important base for learners success in the online learning environment. Often times, however, this structure is out of the control of the classroom teacher.
Having a system for presentation works well for student learning
Students need to feel that instructors are "on their side" and willing to help them learn if they (the student) are having a difficult time grasping content. Instructors need to be organized in their presentation of materials and create learning situations which assist students in building upon facts, situations, consequences, etc that they have previously learned. Instructors need to be aware of fatal flaws that can occur within a virtual learning environment and assist students through hurdles they may encounter with equipment usage. Knowing the backgrounds of students as well as strengths and weaknesses assists an instructor on how to present material.
Reply to Kianna Tinsley's post:Yes. The number one frustration, that I have found with my students, is the technical difficulties surrounding the online course.
I am in a mixed environment that involves e-learning and Zoom lecture/involvement. Our CMS contains all the components necessary for a quality online course.
The manner in which an instructor carries out the delivery of the goals and content of each course may differ. However, prior to teaching a course, there are several important steps to consider: how the course is structured, the manner in which the content will be delivered, the roles/responsibilities of any guest lecturer, and strategies that will be utilized to carry out the delivery of the content.
Each technique and strategy needs to be aligned with the goals of the course. The assignments, assessment tools to measure comprehension, and contributing discussion questions must point towards the objectives of the course.
Frustration comes from a CMS that is not functioning. Also, students need to reach out to tech support as soon as they have issues to be able to meet deadlines.
There is a resonating point in student retention and provision of technical and learning support. Instructors should be quite comfortable in technical support as well to keep the learning experience optimal. For example, less tech-savvy students will mirror your frustration if you (the Instructor) are not confident with a good level of online learning platform knowledge/skills.
Learning the platform is key to success as a teacher and student, espeically since it might be the individual's first contact with online learning.
