David,
I like that you used the term benchmark for improvement. We do need to set benchmarks for ourselves. Great answer.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
It is helpful in order to see if we are prepared to be effective online instructors. It is important to acknowledge our particular teaching style as well as our strengths and weaknesses. It also gives us a benchmark for improvement.
Jack,
Good for you. That is what makes you and hopefully all of us lifelong learners.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kelly,
I am among those who are constantly asking themselves if there is a better way to explain the material.
Kelly,
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your post. You are right, it doesn't not matter whether it is f2f or online. You make such an important statement that our self analysis should be "longitudinal and habitual". Love that statement.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Nizar,
What a great use of a workplace tool. Nice post!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Terri Beth,
Don't you think you become intuitive in a different way in an online course by emails? Just wondering . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Chastity,
Yes, We are life long learners and we want our students to be that also! This does show that!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Chastity,
Me too! Students need to know that information is important to our improvement. It surprises me that they don't know that.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael,
What about you? Do you evaluate your own skills?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Rachelle,
It is an eye opener. We do want our students to have the expectation of continuous improvement, shouldn't we model it?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stephen,
You are right! You need to look at everything regarding online learning including when to do work. I hadn't thought of that!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Michael,
You are right. I too thought I was ready for online courses because I use BB in my f2f course. Boy was I wrong!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
MaryCatherine,
You make a great point. I keep harping on reflection but you make the point that using the self analysis helps with preparedness. It does allow one to focus as a point of preparation.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Susan,
Fabulous post! We need to be able to reflect and change. Doesn't this model the behavior we want our students to have?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Alan,
Thanks for sharing! I will use this. Isn't that the beauty of this environment.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jennifer,
You are right, being able to communicate is so important. You have to have a "way with words" in this environment; and it has to be timely.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Jack,
True! The first step is identifying the weaknesses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Srabasti,
You make good points but I do think you can set "work" boundaries . I think you have to be available when you say you are available. Also, I would hope that f2f course instructor put as much effort in their courses as this!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
For a person new to teaching, whether in a traditional or an online environment, the completion of a self-analysis inventory can be a valuable exercise and an even more valuable habit. Considerations such as personality type, work ethic, and communication skills all contribute not only to the teacher’s effectiveness, but also to his job satisfaction as well. Certainly, the new teacher who does not take the trouble to perform such self-investigation is putting his own happiness and the welfare of his students at risk. No one wants or learns much from an unhappy, disgruntled teacher.
This is even more important in a strictly online environment because the teachers’ technical savvy and proficiency can also affect student achievement, and the importance of written communication skills takes precedence over those in evidence face-to-face. That is, if the teacher cannot communicate clearly and effectively on the page (screen), a winning personality and verbal interaction are of little consequence. Such aptitudes and skills may become evident during the completion of a self-analysis inventory. The formative feedback gained through this assessment process provides the teacher with insight into improvement.
For a more experienced teacher, such self-assessment can also be important. The seasoned professional can track results of adjustments made and modifications adopted, and she can also establish communication pathways with students, pipelines that can help her keep pace with changes in technology and fashion. This is particularly true in the virtual environment. Online instructional materials can become dated more quickly than TV/video correspondence courses.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the veteran teacher can use not only the self-assessment tool(s) to monitor summative outcomes for initial and early-career strategies, but she can also continue the formative process with new and modified methodologies and materials. Thus, the self-analysis process can be seen to operate most effectively in a longitudinal, habitual manner.
