Communication Is The Key
Teaching communication is a difficult task if you are a shy person or if you are not a peoples person. In order to teach communication, you have to be able to communicate. I had instructors I fell asleep on because they sat behind their desk to lecture the class, or they stood in one spot the whole time they were speaking. When you are standing in one spot to teach, your voice becomes monotone and you will lose the attention of your class.
Hello Vanessa, yes, I totally agree with you here. Teaching communication is indeed a very challenging job, especially if students have difficulties to understand the instructor. Few years ago I have encountered this problem when I had extremely difficult time to understand my instructor. She was an oriental lady and 80% of her words were not clear. I really didn't undersatand how she passed when she interviewed for the position, not to mention as an communication instructor.
Prior to me teaching I was told to utilize the entire classroom to keep the students engaged in the lecture. My past experience as a studnet also give me ensight to teaching because I could look at it from the students viewpoint. I do reveiwes and highlight certain areas by being redundant as to what is important and to make sure they know certain material for future test and quizzes. The studnets have given me feedback that it helps them study better and feel more prepared for the exams.
Vanessa - That kind of behavior casts all of us as instructors in a terrible light. Demeaning and insulting behavior has no place in any classroom,and given the nature of an online environment where students are isolated with limited direct feedback, dismissal of that instructor is absolutely warranted. I have learned that the creation of a warm, welcoming, and open tone is a prerequisite for success with adult learners. I use a "warm up" period before the session actually starts, calling each person by name (or the name that they wish to be called), and making myself available to address any questions or concerns that they have. Online classes can be very effective and highly rewarding, but everyone - including the instructor - must be willing to do what is needed to overcome the barriers of distance and separation! Thanks for your thoughts!
As you stated. It is true that online classes are different when it comes to communication because you communicate through words. However, in this case words become your only source of communication. I took some online classes and the tone one of my instructor used during some of her responses were so upsettin to the students she lost more than half of the students during the first two weeks. One of her favorite statements were " you people act like children, the direction is not that complicated." In any case, some of the students went to the dean about her and she was replaced. We all were sent an e-mail to continue that class if we choose to. So you see, the tone and expression in words plays a strong role in communication also.
I take my hat off to you, an online instructor is the hardest working instructor in any learning environment.
Vanessa - I appreciate your comments regarding less than effective instructors and agree whole-heartedly. As an instructor in an online environment, my challenges are even greater, as I do not have the ability to move around a physical classroom. I must do it all via my PowerPoint presentation, sharing my desktop, and my verbal techniques. As already covered in this course, pacing in an online environment is critical, especially since I have little ability to observe "body language." I have found that the use of quotations or other references to our common cultures can create a "bridge" that leads from the abstract to the concrete. As you so aptly stated, the key is communication that will allow our learners to take advantage of that "bridge." Please let me know if you have found the use of such tools to be effective in your environment.
