Providing a safe environment for students is the most important thing always and was brought up here again. Communicating effectively with students ensures they stay engaged. As a facilaitator we are required to wear many hats.
In this process it is very important to observe the studnts reactions.
Teacher-centered and student-centered approaches both have their places in virtual learning and assessing when to use which one will be key.
Regardless of a teaecher's style, they must be sure to use all technology tools to support their students' success as they work through both synchronous and asynchronous learning. Specific feedback is one of the most important ways a teacher supports and furthers their students' learning.
I know my students want prompt feedback. It can be challenging if multiple students want your attention at the same time. It goes back to communication. You must be there for the student but not 24/7. It is easier for me to engage with the students in F2F settings where you can see their faces and know if they are sleeping through the lecture or if they are really 'getting it'. I'm learning how to pick up on the sleepers during on-line lecture. Call their name to answer a question, make sure thier audio and video is on. Sometimes they will turn the computer on and sneek out during lecture. May need to implement a participation grade.
Feedback is important and careful planning on teacher display of words is important. Body language can not be seen in technology.
May different methods and adjustments makes for a great instructor and facilitator. There will always be room for improvement and feedback helps make for a great instructor.
Teachers need to be prepared to handle any issues that may arise throughout the course effectively. Different students will have different issues as well as potential technical issues have to be dealt with effectively.
Some of our students are not tech savey, and i am not the best either, so communication is vital and i have seen situations were instructions were not followed or vage on my part.
There are 3 ways to facilitate: 1 Teacher centered, 2 teacher centered and student centered, 3student centered
Student feedback helps instructor know what needs to be looked at in the course .
Be familiar with all of your required roles as an online instructor. Be intentional with those roles as well because when offering feedback for example, students can not read your body language or read between the lines of what you say. You must make yourself clear and be clear of the expectations you have with the students.
Facilitation and messaging are important.
Instructor should develop their own facilatation methods while practicing good pedagogy. Feedback is very important.
The importance of clearly specifying the means of communication between students and instrcutors really struck me, especially in a fully-online environment.
As the instructor, it is important for you to activley engage studnets in different ways and provide timely feedback.
I really think this module reminded me how active I need to be in my online classroom. I need to give timely and effective feedback more often, but at the same time set guidelines so that I do not appear to be availabl 24/7. I also really want to find the ways to motivate students to want to be engaged.
I need to make sure all communication is lear because it will be received exactly as stated.
Also use different methods of communication and evaluations from the students to evalute the course.
An Instructor must evaluate the effectiveness of a course by student grades and student comments.
Clear a presise communication is essential in the online learning process. It will enhance the learning experience and help the students from becoming frustrated and disengaged.
