I think I am up to hat #6 or 7, not just 4, as I review all that I will need to master before starting to teach virtually, and grow into more of a faciliator of learning. I do think most of the content presumes that the styudents are very active participants in their learning; I hope a future module addresses how to influence those who are not (maybe a third of my population requires a lot of encouragment, chivying, and just flat out sitting down with them to get them started on assignments).
Feedback from students is the best way to make adjustments and ensure they you're providing the best for your students.
Successfully facilitating skills such as promoting student engagement, managing online discussions, and providing feedback helps to build relationships in an online course. It is important for me to eventually become the "guide on the side."
Online discussions among students enable them to vocalize their thoughts and learn from the knowledge shared by other participants in the course. The instructor can facilitate the discussions by intervening when necessary to make sure that students remain respectful to each other and that the discussions are centered around the actual lesson or topic of discussion. Student evaluations of the teacher's performance will vary based on the the expectations they have for their own learning outcomes.
As a facilitator or learning, the students can be responsible for their own learning, however, clear communication given by the instructor is vital to a better learning outcome. In an online environement, students cannot see body language and will take what is being said literally and may misinterpret the intended message. In order to have a higher learning outcome, students need organization, interaction, participation, and feedback. Feedback will keep them more engaged, better informed, and less isolated. Instructors must learn and feel comfortable with the technology being utilized in order to assist students navigate an LMS system and other technology being used.
As the Guide on the Side, a strong facilatator will determine their method, develop a plan, evaluate the process, and reflect on how it went. In my instruction, I want to be this guide on the side and facilitate a true problem based learning experience for my students.
I totally agree regarding feedback, it keeps my students engaged.
Good communication is crucial for making connections with students which at the same time motivates them to do better in class. Likewise, it challenges them to find their own voice to communicate privately and publically
Here's what I took away...to quote the current text: Successful online facilitation in an online environment should engage, guide, and motivate learners and provide a safe and conducive environment for learning and communication exchange for all learners regardless of their prior experiences and their predisposition (or otherwise) toward online learning. The key to effective facilitation is to remember to always review and reassess what and how you previously taught your students.
Quick feedback is important for students to keep progressing through the lessons and feel like the instructor is there for them. I agree that allowing students most likely do not learn from student comments but it does build community. I teach middle school and they need very clear instructions on making comments - what is appropriate, etc.
Finding ways to get students to participate is important in effective learning. Using feedback can help to evolve a course and continue improving student's understanding.
Feedback and evaluation of program is essential to success
Having student be very aware of class expectations from the beginning is very important. It seems that the course should be almost complete before the beginning of the course so that the teacher is able to spend more time quickly responding to discussions and providing feedback from assignments. As a beginning teacher, I’ve always had a difficult time creating lecture, assignments, and labs, while also providing quick feedback. Having almost all (or all) course content ready on day one would be necessary for me, so that I would not fall behind with correspondence with students.
I learned there is no right or wrong way to reah online, but its important to hage effective learning. Instructors need to modify their teaching styles. Online instructors wear many 'hats' but the best instructors need to have great communicate skills.
The most important takeaway for me is the imporatance of prompt, informative feedback. This helps the instructor to better facilitate and guide students through the course.
Feedback is the most important aspect of the facilitator role. It is important, though, for all facilitators to assess all aspects of their teaching to increase student engagement.
It is important to review on studes sommunications and make sure you are grading their matierail within a reasonable time. I reallay believe responding to students within a reasonable time is so imprtant they are looking for your positive or constructive feedback just as they have used to in the live classroom. I let my students know that I will respond to thier emails within 24 hours, that I grade on the weekend. This way they can look for those grade come Monday morning
As instructors, we wear many hats. Take each role seriously and work with your students. Listen to the students feedback and use it to improve your course.
As presented the most inportant thing is to engage the student to fully participate in the course activivities and discusions
It is important to really get to know your students. This way yu can figure out which teachimg methods to use. If you have a group of highly motivated students, let them engage often and even give them leadership roles so that they can actually own the class. You also need to be willing to have individual sessions with each student and check on them. Take mental notes of students that appear to be as engaged as others. Do not just forge ahead. Your job is to be in a constant state of evalustaion and looking how you can improve the qualitiy of the class.
