As online instructors we are expected to wear many hats. To meet the needs of our students we take on the roles of Social Directors, Program Managers, Instructors and Technical Assistants. Since we are the primary link between the student and the course we must help them as they navigate through the learning labyrinth.
Bernadette,
Wow, what an opportunity to teach real world issues. Students have to be their own IT in the real world! Love it!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I teach medical coding and billing and many students want the ideal job of working from home. I am often telling students they are their own "IT" person. When computers crash, software and other technical issues arise, they may need to trouble shoot and sometimes have a plan B or C. So yes we wear many shoes and hats especially being the technical assistant.. This make me chuckle, such a true statement!
Annabel,
Just a couple of things. If you have multiple courses with different content, I would create multiple calendars that you can merge. If you are teaching multiple sections with one course, try merging the sections. Students will not know the difference and it will make delivery of assessments easier.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Christine,
Which one do you think is the most challenging?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Tiffany,
You are right. It is hard to balance the needs of all students. You will have to be able to engage and do it early in the course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Darlene,
What a great analogy, I agree that none of the areas are separate from the other.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Elizabeth,
I think we have to help students find their "online" voice. I also think we have to avoid being a crutch for the student also.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Todd,
You really make great points. it is really a balancing act. You can't be an extremist.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Perry,
You are right, establishing the expectation of communication and making it happen is a challenge. It is easy for students to disappear online.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janis,
I love that your thought about the size of the shoes! I agree with you. I do think it is easier for students to hide behind the computer.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jenifer,
I agree with you. I like that you discussed both the course framework and the material. Nice!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Robert,
You are right! It does vary. I agree that the social director is challenging. You want students to develop connections with each other as well as with you. It is not easy particularly online.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Joseph,
Good point We have to be able to assess the students and determine how to individualize the learning.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Socorro,
good point. what is the hardest for you.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Earl,
You are right, good orientation does make the other roles easier.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Karen,
You make a great point. You have to engage students and some will always be easier than others. Students will always come at different levels of expertise and knowledge regardless of the delivery.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kristina,
True. I do think that how I am online has transformed by f2f courses and vice versa.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Carolyn,
You make a great point. We do keep adding to our roles. More shoes?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Linda,
I think most of us (I hope) come to teaching as the content experts. We learn the other "stuff" as needed. I do think we are expected more and more to be assessment and retention experts as well as technology experts. it is a challenge. You have to also know the institution resources so you can spread the "work" around.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
