It is very important to understand our strengths and weaknesses as instructors. I have found it helpful to review my supervisors comments based on his observations. Perhaps more insightful are the comments from students on their course surveys. My strength is in the chat/lectures where many positive comments have been made. Being able to contact me has also been a strength recognized by my students. An area for me to work on are my DB postings. Although several are entered each week I can do a better job of recognizing all or most of my student work. A simple acknowledgement of each paper can add to the motivation of the student.
Self-analysis is a necessary first step in understanding the instructor's own skills, personalty and needs for development. Should the instructor learn that they are not prepared for the technology required, this will alert them to remedy this. The self-analysis process will also cause the instructor to reflect on whether they are effective with time-management and can take the time to be detailed in their presentation of the class.
Instructors have varied abilities, just as the students do. Acknowledging weaknesses allows for the instructor to improve upon them and become more effective. This would not necessarily be unique for online instructors, but rather would include additional areas to consider, such as technology abilities.
Helena,
Good for you. You have so much you can share personally to the students. I think all online instructors should take an online course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Fortunately, I completed an online and long distance learning degree before I began teaching online classes. This really helped me become better prepared in a number of ways. From the students perspective I could offer personal advice on what to expect and help them understand what areas, like time management might be more difficult to manage. I think you presented a good list of questions that instructors should ask themselves during the self-analysis. Because student retention in online classes is an area of concern instructors must also be comfortable and have time to personally contact students and help them get back on track to finish the course.
Flora,
Great point! I think we have to look at others ways to get our teaching "fix". When we teach in a traditional environment, there is a "high" we get from the performance. In the online environment, we have to find our "teaching fix" differently.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think it's important for instructors to complete a self analysis inventory so that they know what areas they need to work on. Teaching online is not the same as teaching in the traditional classroom so different skills are needed. I teach both online and in the traditional classroom and so many of my colleagues who've been teaching successfully for years in the traditional classroom, have tried online teaching and don't like it. It's important for us as instructors to see where we need to improve on to help us become more successful in the online classroom.
Hala,
You are right! All good instructors no matter what environment must have those characteristics.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I would agree that not every instructor has the ability to become an online instructor, but I would add that the basic requirements of empathy, understanding and effective communication are pertinent to all instructors.
Aisling,
Great post! You are right, and we tend to teach to the way we learn. It is apparent you are committed to continuous improvement in your online teaching. Good for you.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
As an online Instructor it is very important to complete a self analysis inventory to see what your strengths and weakness are and how best to use and improve them to best serve your students.
Everyone learns differently and each of us have our own strength and weakness when it comes to teaching online. We must look at both of these and see which best serves our students. What weakness do I have that needs to be address in order for me to be the best online instructor I can be.
With my strengths been technology how can I best use these strengths to be the best online instructor I can be for my students. Embedding educational videos and documentaries into your discussion boards can really bring the topic alive for those visual learning.
Jenifer,
Great post! You are right we have to critically look at ourselves just as we expect our students to do.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mia,
I love your statement that it keeps us connected to the needs of the students. I think you are spot on about each class. Each class f2f or online does have its own personality and you need to be able to leverage that in the learning. Great post.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
MARIE,
You are right. It allows us to maximize our strengths and work on our weaknesses. I like to think of it as TQM-total quality management.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
MARIE,
I agree and research agrees with you. The best way to be an effective online educator is to be an online student.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
MARIE,
I think we can use the self analysis as a way for students to determine why they are taking the course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Much like we expect our students to understand their strengths and weaknesses as a student or potential online student, as an instructor I need to best understand my strengths and weaknesses as an instructor. This allows me to develop and manage my online class in the best manner possible.
I think that creating a self analysis inventory keeps us grounded and connected with the needs of our students. Every class needs a different approach than the last. I've had classes where the roster was full of self-starters that rarely asked questions of me; conversely, I've had classes where the students were insecure and required affirmation from me on every move they made in class. Taking inventory of how I can meet the needs of the class as a whole and the individuals within each class independently keeps me approachable and relatable as an instructor. These characteristics, hopefully, encourage students to deal with me often and openly about their needs as well.
Hello Joan,
I agree with you, if we encourage students to complete the analysis to determine if they will be good online students, than we need to do the same. I think the analysis is a good start for first time online instructor as well as reasoned ones. By acknowledging our weakness and make the necessary improvements.
Ms. Osuna
Hello Roger,
Interesting point of view! I believe not every instructor has the abilities to become an online instructor. I have to agree with you that time management is essential in order to be an effective online instructor. The self-analysis is a great roadmap, but I believe any instructor wanting to teach online should take an online class themselves.
Ms. Osuna
The reason why it’s important to complete a self-analysis inventory is to strengthen our abilities to be an effective online instructor. In addition, the inventory list will show weaknesses; which is very important to acknowledge them and work toward improvement.
Marie Osuna
