The instructor in an online course must be aware of the interests/availabilites of multiple parties. The instructor is the content experet, but must organize their content around the learning goals established for the course. Additionally, the professor needs to familiarize themselves with the course assessment scheme and weekly student expectations. Finally, the professor needs to know what they can assist students with, and who they can send student to for help with items that the professor doesn't have authority/ability to address.
Matt Wilkerson
I learned several different methods on how to interact withthe students.
It is important to review the course content and the CMS regularly as many areas might change within a short window of time. I found that technology is changing rapidly and in order to keep up, I seem to be reviewing all the time...A must to be a great teacher!
I learned in order to ensure my student's success, I must be utilizing the e-learning methods of the CMS. It is also of merit to understand the technical difficulties some students have with online learning.
I need to make sure I understand the complete course so I am able to answer my students questions and concerns in a timely matter sot that they stay involved and motivated in their course.
I learned that learning structure and communication are core concepts that must be mastered in order to be an effective online instructor. There are many ways to interact with students and the more willing to partake in these methods an instructor is, the more that they will be successful.
The course is best organized by modules within the CMS. The instructor will optimally participate actively in discussions and post a summary of discussions.
Successful navigation of the online platform is important and allows for a smooth transition from one application to another. It's important that we teach students the process also.
Planning to ensure student and faculty familiarity with access to the user and support components of a course is important to ensure smooth student enrollment and participation along with resolution of glitches.
I intend to reassure features and liimitation of all eLearning programs.
Instructor must familarize with course delivery techniques and strategies. They also must provide a very explicit information regarding course, grading policy, deadline for the assignment and grading rubrics.
I have learned that their are many areas that we have not utilized yet, and this course has shown me that success begins with the instructor having an organized plateform for the student
This has reinforced what I have been attemping to do. Comminication is essential, and understanding the technolgy and what it can do is also important.
There are so many tools that are available to us as instructors, including the CMS and the ability to have live video lectures. In addition to knowing your CMS and the online tools that are available, it is also important to know the deadlines that you, as an instructor, are responsible for, the best tool instructors can use is making a time table. Incase of technical difficulty, know how to contact technical support is crucial. Students should have access to techincal support as well, as it can get very frustrating if no technical support is available.
Utilizing all the features in the CMS is key in communicating an updating students as the course progresses. Being able to familiarize myself with all the course contents and info available allows me to stay consistent and knowledgeable about expectations.
Even though I've taken several Online classes, I'm still nervous about technical issues, like my modim dying or internet access going down in the middle of a timed exam. Now I know when those things happen, because it did, call the instructor and let her know.
The importance of knowing your teaching platform (CMS) and how it relates to the sucess of your students in the online course.
Online learning >challenging. To be successful, the structure of online course/platform and ease of use are very important and getting students engaged.
I have learned it is important to be very familiar with the technology being used. Not just how I will be using it, but how the students will be using it. I like to go through and check out every area of the CMS, if I have any questions, find any available training on it. I also like to look at thing from the "Student View", to make sure I can give instructions that make sense from their side of things. Keeping the students involved in the lessons is also key. The more they interact with the instruction, the better the outcomes.
As instructors we need to make sure we understand the workings of the system, so we can help the students navigate it efficiently as well.
