Amy,
Yes, it give us as instructors to provide them resources to help them. I have used Youtube clips and recorded sessions to help student improve with their weaknesses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
A self-analysis inventory will help an online student identify his or her strengths and weaknesses and also provide ideas on how to improve weaknesses. Overall, the goal is to help a student be more competent as an online learner.
Michael,
I agree with you about learning more about students. You want them to not use their weakness as a crutch but to develop strategies to work with it.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
As described in the lesson, everyone learns in a different way or perhaps several but never a one size fits all. It is important that faculty understand their students, what motivates them and how the student operates on a daily basis. A self-analysis shows the instructor what the student already knows and good at (strengths) and where the student may need a little more assistance to overcome (weaknesses). This could help later in class when and if a teach has to pair or place in teams/groups.
Stephanie,
True, it does help us identify and address the issues students may have. Hopefully you can develop or you have resources that are already created to help students address their weaknesses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is important to ask online students to complete a self analysis inventory so they can benefit from their knowledge and areas for improvement as well as create a dialogue for discussion with them in those areas for improvement. It allows the instructor to see where the student stands and then develop plans for improvement in any weak areas. For example, if a student indicates s/he procrastinates, that is a talking point between instructor and student to then find ways to help the student overcome procrastination, develop good time management skills and be successful in class.
Stephanie
Erin,
Good comments! You really want them to work on improving those weakness by leveraging their strengths.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Anita,
I agree with you to a point. I would hope that I can help students develop new learning skills by looking at the self analysis. I am concerned when students tell me they only learn one way.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I feel that it important to ask students to complete a self-analysis inventory because it helps them to identify their own strengths and weaknesses before they begin the course. If a person notes at the beginning that he or she has had issues with missing deadlines in the past, it will be on his or her mind the first week that deadlines are approaching. If a student notes that he or she has a difficult time with quizzes, he or she may pay special attention to the built in quiz review questions in a live chat.
It is important for online students to complete a self analysis inventory to figure out their learning style. The online instructor can best support the students by know their learning style. Also, the online instructor will be able to identify any potential barriers or weakness which is helpful when trying to develop the student learning abilities.
Melissa,
You make such an important point. You can just give them a self analysis and expect them to do something with it. You have to guide them through the self analysis or it really means nothing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is an instructor's responsibility to guide students to success. While we might hope students do a self-analysis prior to enrolling in an online course, we cannot assume they have. Therefore, it is important for the instructor to facilitate this self-analysis. The information gathered though such an inventory can assist the instructor in better understanding the strengths and weaknesses of his/her students as they pertain to the online learning environment. This can then lead to more effective assistance and intervention to help lead students to success.
Dee,
You know, that is the added information added to the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy. Teaching students how to evaluate the themselves and to take feedback and improve themselves is such an important skill.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
DANA,
Great post. You have to really make students aware of their strengths and use them not use the strengths of other to always be their tool. Students need to be able to evaluate themselves and make adjustments. This isn't easy when everyone gets a trophy.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
DANA,
Do you make your students communicate in a professional manner or do you allow them to use texting language. It isn't right or wrong it is about expectation.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
DANA,
You make such a great point. We as instructors have to guide and facilitate students through the self analysis. There is a second step to the self-analysis and that is what to do with it!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gracie,
It is important that students learn to evaluate themselves. This is a skill that they can use later. You are right, it is so important in the online environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Gracie,
I agree. I just heard about a high school that gave their students ipads and told them they didn't have to go to school. They didn't address the need for guidance with learning particularly online learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
This is so important, not only for the benefit of the student in this particular course, but for their benefit in future courses throughout their program. So many students have never thought about "how" they learn best - so when they begin to consider this, they gain such useful information!
Mary,
Assessing students in the beginning of the course would contribute greatly to the success of the students, as you mentioned. Also, equally as important is providing students with feedback, strategies, and techniques to help them to improve their weaknesses or use their strengths to their advantage.
