Establishing a Teaching Pattern
When establishing a pattern of teaching, what do you believe are the two most important things to consider?
It is important to use a clear, consistent approach throughout the course and the key to a successful teaching and learning experience for both the student and instructor is communication. Clearly defining and communicating the expectations will address the uncertainly of what role and responsibility is required of each participant. Off course the efficiency and effectiveness of this communication will evolve with experience (as I found out).
I love reading through these questions and answers. There is so much valuable information to be learned. In this instance, I wish I had something Earth shattering to share, but I don't. I feel like I'm in alignment with most everybody else in saying that the two most important things to consider are the needs of the students and the material that's being presented.
Some things are going to lend themselves to certain types of activities, whereas others might not. I have run into trouble in the past when I have tried to create a one-size-fits-all exercise. It is only when I consider each subject as being independent from the others that I can find real success. The same principle holds true with the students I teach. No two students are exactly alike. It's important to learn about your students and then adjusts how you do things.
Student needs are first consideration in setting the pattern. While you may have a course outline and standard methods, you have to be willing and able to identify what is actually reaching your students. What worked in the previous term may not work with the current student mix.
Secondly, attention to detail. If you are going to hold your students to any standards (timing of posts, proper grammar, participation, etc) you need to be ready to consistently demonstrate the same (or better) level in your own posts.
Melissa Caperton
Clear and concise communications are the most important consideration. Students must understand their responsibilities, the responsibilities of the instructor and mutual responsibilities. The guidelines, use of the LMS and placement of content are some examples. Suspense's for assignment, location of assignment turn in, and location of admin information all contribute to a successful learning experience. The second most important is to ensure the pattern is consistent and doesn't change every week. Students shouldn't have to search for the information in a different spot because the assignment is a blog or wiki instead of a posting. Remember how it affects you as a student and don't mix things up because it is easier for you, the instructor.
I think it is important for students to know what to expect ahead of time. This means they know the pattern of the instructor and it should help them learn better over time.
1) Content delivery and 2) ease of navigation. What content must be delivered? Can students navigate to the material without becoming frustrated?
Firstly, is the students' baseline content knowledge and secondly, the delivery and assessment methods.
Learning is made easier by organization. If students know what to expect each week, or each module, or however your class is set up, it takes some of the stress out of learning the content. If you set up your teaching pattern in a way that students become comfortable navigating the course they are better able to focus on content vs how to find the info or where to post or how to complete the assignment.
I believe that the initial thing to be considered is what do the students need to learn or the learning objectives. The second most important thing is how will the learning objectives be communicated to the students. If the student does not have the tools, or understand what is expected of them and what you expect of yourself for them, then the students will not reach their learning objectives.
Mary Johnston
I think when you are developing patterns of teaching, it is important to be consistent in the modes of your message delivery while at the same time vary the content enough to keep students interested and in a learning state.
Kelly,
To establish pattern of teaching, the two most important things to consider are (1) Communication and (2) learning outcomes.
Communication: Good communication is very important in online learning since there is no face-to-face interaction between the facilitator and learners. Whether it is synchronous or asynchronous learning, a facilitator must find the right voice to engage and motivate students. An instructor will likely continue to use tested communication method that has worked for the instructor. To become a component of the instructor’s teaching pattern, the instructor may need to keep refining this method of communication from time to time.
Learning Outcomes: If the information that a facilitator provides to students as well as the instructor’s overall facilitation method consistently meet the learning outcomes, there is a chance that the instructor will continue to use this facilitation with some refinement over time.
Kelly,
To establish pattern of teaching, the two most important things to consider are (1) Communication and (2) learning outcomes.
Communication: Good communication is very important in online learning since there is no face-to-face interaction between the facilitator and learners. Whether it is synchronous or asynchronous learning, a facilitator must find the right voice to engage and motivate students. An instructor will likely continue to use tested communication method that has worked for the instructor. To become a component of the instructor’s teaching pattern, the instructor may need to keep refining this method of communication from time to time.
Learning Outcomes: If the information that a facilitator provides to students as well as the instructor’s overall facilitation method consistently meet the learning outcomes, there is a chance that the instructor will continue to use this facilitation with some refinement over time.
I feel that the Content being taught and the audience you are delivering to are both crucial in establishing a strong teaching pattern. Content may be driven by different teaching tools so you will have to establish what tools you will be using to deliver and explain the subject. For example, I use a lot of video tutorials and video critiques when teaching courses that focus on learning software. Establishing how I will be commonly presenting the information in a video style is essential to the success of the students. In courses that are task based or ones that require the students to memorize information, videos are not as essential and I typically post more visual aids, tips and ideas in static formats. The students need to once again understand how and where to find this and what to do with it.
I also believe that as a school, teaching patterns and best practices should be shared so students do not have to make polar adjustments from class to class. A consistent base can be created by a good LMS, but the faculty need to buy in and use it in a similar manner to ensure some level of consistency.
Yes, I agree. I am new to teaching and I am finding my 'groove' in with teaching my online course. Consistency is the key, however, we must be willing to adapt when student need are not met.
Sharon,
Great post, yes you can create your own successful teaching style in an online environment. Students need to understand the online classroom environment and includes you developing a teaching routine. It can be done.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Consistency and an instructor’s teaching style are components in establishing an effective pattern of teaching. Students need to know what to expect in an online course because of the inherent transactional distance. Instructor should develop their own teaching style that facilitates 2-way communication with their students.
Kathy,
I love your post!!! Yes, we have work to do. I ask my online students to tell me what they think worked or didn't work at the end of a course. I also ask them what was the good things and the bad things they did that affected their learning in an online course. You would be amazed how honest many of them are. I share this with my new online students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
David,
I like this. Have students talk about the way they learn and how they plan to look for engagement in the online course. I would also ask them the same question at the end of the course to see if that changed.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
You make an excellent point about re-evaluation. In online teaching, I believe it is essential to communicate clearly, whether you are providing technical explanations, assignment instructions, grading feedback, discussion replies, or motivation. How we communicate with every new class must be informed by what worked in the past and what needs to be changed for a more productive future.
