I've always felt that projecting my credentials was "BIG-HEADED." This is the first class I have taken saying this is a way of projecting our presence. I guess this is essential in virtual or distance learning situations where students need some way of identifying who we are personally and professionally.
I have learned of the importance of establishing authority in the online setting by posting my Bio, photo, and teaching credentials & experience. I have been reluctant to do this in the past due to a belief that it's not all about me...not really into self-promotion. However, after advancing through this module and reflecting afterward, I see now that it is important for the students (and possibly their parents) to see that I possess significant & relevant credentials, experience, and education in the specialty that I teach.
I really like the idea of posting reminders so that they feel like you are in touch with what is going on in the course. I am going to start doing this. Also, one thing I would like to start doing is posting a sample of the answer for assignments.
Projecting your presence into the e-learning arena is important because you give/project a sense of comfort and security to the student learner. Therefore, providing support and enhancing their learning experience. The student learner will feel more secure and have a higher successful result in the program.
I learned that in an online learning environment students acquire a higher sense of comfort and security when they firmly know for sure that someone is available to support them and make their learning experience a successful one. This is what makes the instructor's projection of their presence so important.
Of the Four popular and effective ways of projecting my presence in an e-learning environment, I would like to make sure I
answer students questions and provide them with informative and constructive feedback in a timely manner (within 24 hr. turnaround)
Projecting who I am and what I stand for from a distance is very important in gaining the trust and confidence of my students in knowing the subject matter and that I am very familiar wiht the subject matter that I am teaching
I loved the idea of sending the personal message to each student by the end of the first week.
Learn how to project yourself in an online setting is key to a successful semester and getting to know one another
Regarding "projecting your presence," I wholeheartedly agree that establishing a positive healthy relationship from the beginning of the term in distance learning is critical! I send out numerous announcements that contain a short bio of me as well as pertinent fun facts about myself ie Beatles lover and reach out to me students to offer me their favorite bands and historical figures...
Reply to Kelly Glenn's post: I agree, building relationships is important.
Building relationships that are respectful with the students are important.
I thought the idea of a bio on everyone was an excellent idea!Reply to Lacey Hatfield's post:
Developing the safe learning environment, showing students you want to know about them, is so critical. For crafts instructors, who are not formally trained as teachers - this seems to be very hard for them to grasp.
There are sublte ways to make our presence known to students without them feeling we are being overbearing.
I learned that developing a trusting, respectful relationship with my students is possible in online teaching. I should post my credentials and background, return work within 24 hours, and also ask students to post their own background as an opener activity. I should encourage students to comment on others work and also ask students before posting their names with my posts.
Projecting your presence is important to establishing a successful online learning environment. I found that sharing my academic, professional, and some personal achievements can help establish trust and open up communication with students. I will also implement the use of student autobiographies. Making students feel comfortable to share some information about themselves can help establish our learning community.
I learned how important personal interaction along with a brief snyopsis of yourself is.
It is certainly harder to project your presense from behind a computer screen, but it is still possible to make meaninful and personal connections with everyone of our students. Student biograpghies are a great way for students to introduce themselves to their fellow classmates, and make sure to create a "hangout" chat room for students for questions and discussions not related to the subject matter.
It's possible and effective to transfer f2f skills to online. My students hear me say "the best teacher is the the best learner."
Learned how to maintain authority during elearning and ways to get to know your students
