Hi Dr. Crews,
Ever since I learned about SWOT analysis in high school, I have become a fan of this practice :) Self-reflection is very important, and a great skill building exercise. The world's view of "me" is important, but I should be my number one judge and motivator as well. After every course, I do a self-reflection on how I did, and what I didn't do. I have to admit that at times, I might grow complacent, but I've disciplined myself to make it a rare occasion :)
I have found that so much of teaching is intuitive (or at least it begins this way). This is particularly true for teachers who began their careers in F2F classrooms, as I did, where students' non-verbal cues--body language, facial expressions, etc--were crucial in shaping the teaching method. I know that I frequently used students' in-class reactions to the material that I was presenting to shape not only that day's pedagogy from moment-to-moment but also from class-to-class and semester-to-semester. As online instructors, however, we do not have the benefit of such immediate student feedback to clue us in to how we're doing from one moment to the next in our class. By engaging in self-analysis, we can bring our teaching strategies from the intuitive to the conscious level, enabling us to identify our particular strengths and weaknesses and, hopefully, optimize the former while minimizing the latter.
I am a firm believer that self-assessment should be a major component of any on-going task and online distance learning is not exception.
I consider myself an ever-learning and feel that it is important to complete a self-analysis inventory to ensure I am growing and developing and contributing to my student's success.
I learn something from every student evaluation in terms of the specific areas in the online course that need redesigning or need some improvement. Based on the feedback and my analysis of it, I tweak my delivery, my expectations, my case study utilization to ensure that I am effectively demonstrating student-supporting community and teaching.
I agree, Denise. I will typically utilize my student evaluations to know what I need to work on and what I am doing a-ok!
I have several criteria I also do a self-analysis on to ensure I am in tune with my strengths and weaknesses.
Hi Dr. Crews:
Having students create a self analysis inventory allows them to compare their current skill level to the skill level expectations for the course.
Based on the results of the inventory, the students will then know what areas they need to work on, in order to be successful in the course.
Mike Crowley
I have never thought about this before. I am finding it very interesting and I find this to be a great idea for obtaining information about myself and areas I need to work on. I think it is important for an instructor to have awareness because that is where change starts.
I think it is VITAL for an instructor to perform self-analysis inventories. The main reason is, as online instructors, you are often reviewed for your facilitation qualities. If you, as an online instructor, do not understand your strengths and weaknesses, you will find it impossible to succeed as an online instructor. An example that is common is to understand whether you are a morning, afternoon, or evening person, whereas, what is the best time for you to do your best work. Oftentimes, grading can be time-consuming and repetitive ~ if you understand what is your best time to grade, you will provide your students with the best comments and grading possible.
Prior to training for online teaching, I had little conception of what went on in online learning environments. I was fortunate to have the chance to "dip my toes in" as an instructor by using Blackboard as a supplement to my F2F courses prior to teaching fully online. That at least allowed me to get a handle on a lot of the functionality and the possibilities for using online methods for teaching.
Prior to that experience and the trainings I received from the universities I began working for in online teaching, I had no realistic conception of how discussions could be managed in an online environment, or the differences of how information may have to be prepared and presented for course lectures and notes.
A self-assessment is vitally important for helping consider the time necessary to prepare and complete course work. Without a definitive time schedule, there is a lot of independent responsibility to make sure the necessary work is handled properly.
The importance of a self-analysis inventory is to assess the instructor levels of preparedness. In addition to the items discussed in the module, I also think another element of preparation is anticipation. Anticipation is often gained through experience, but it always good to remind ourselves of the student perspective and to put yourself into their mind as if you are learning for the first time what you are teaching. This way, more effective examples may used to best address or answer questions the student may have about the material.
Greetings Drs. Crews, Wilkinson, and colleagues:
As an online instructor, why is it important to complete a self-analysis inventory?
Presently, my academic duties span a number of institutions, both online and brick-and-mortar. Often, my colleagues who have exclusive taught in a physical classroom location indicate that since they have never taught through an online delivery method, they cannot fathom how they would interface with students. Truly, it is a completely different approach. Just as students are required to manage their time effectively, instructors must have excellent time management skills to complete required tasks, tutor students in various delivery methods if required, and maintain control of their “office space†which is for many within a home or an ad hoc location when traveling, etc.
As a former online (PhD) student myself, I fully understand the challenges students face in this environment. In fact, I find that I am more empathetic to their challenges as I have encountered these challenges as well. Engaging in these inventories and inquiries periodically helps one ensure that the saw is sharp. For instance, I note a number of replies in which technology is referenced. It is easy to become fixed within a routine of requirements for a particular institution, and then neglect upgrades which could potentially afford more efficiency and effectiveness in delivery. Completing such an inventory might allow one to "refresh the repertoire."
Best,
Susan
I feel it is very important for instructors to complete a self-analysis to ensure they are prepared for teaching the course and can relate to their students. First, I think that often online instructors who have never taken an online course need to understand what their students are dealing with. It is very different to learn online than in a classroom. Technology is a large part of this and instructors must be aware of their strengths and weaknesses in this area. However, one very important consideration is how well you can communicate electronically. Instructors need to be aware of their own abilities to use words effectively in emails and on Discussion Boards, etc. Being clear and concise is very important to help students understand expectations. Empathy for what the student is experiencing is helpful especially if an instructor has taken an online course and can understand the frustration sometimes encountered when waiting for a response before being able to move forward with an assignment or being upset about a grade and waiting for feedback from an email sent to the instructor, etc. Being an online instructor is very different than an on campus instructor and as the reading also mentioned, time managment is very important. Online instructors do not have a set time to be at class every day (other than those who have scheduled chats/office hours) but what I mean is online environments require a different type of time managment since it is more important to constantly check emails since students communicate this way. Being effective and communicating quickly with students (i.e. the very slow typer instructing online might find this challenging to reply to dozens of emails a day).
Self-analysis, to sum up, can help online instructors evaluate their abilites, strengths and weaknesses in teaching in an online environment and help them work to be the mose effective online instructor possible which in turn provides students with a quality education.
Jennifer Humphries, MA
Dr. Crews,
Any online class requires much more time and dedication. The faculty should be ready to be active in the classroom at least 6 days a week. He or she should have some basic computer knowledge and a knack to pick up any technology related details quickly and use them. The faculty should be aware that she/he might need to teach during weekends/weekdays, days/evening and be available to students through phone, email, discussion-board and other virtual offices. He/She should be ready to provide prompt and detailed feedback. S/he should be able to work without minimum supervision, pay attention to details, should be informed about the course, class, students and the school and be able to navigate the classroom and all other related technology easily. All these are not required for a face-to-face faculty. Thus, before one starts teaching an online course, s/he need to find whether s/he is fit to teach such a course or not. How can s/he find it? S/he can do so by completing the self-analysis inventory.
Thank You,
Srabasti Dutta
The intention is to turn my weaknesses into strengths.
Jack,
You may want to read your post as I don't think you meant to say to reinforce your weaknesses. (one of the problems with online discussions) :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Joanna,
Great post. I think we have to always reflect on our strengths and weaknesses to improve teaching. We are supposed to be lifelong learners!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Eric,
I think you may be selling the auditory portion short. I do recordings and have students record portions also. Also it is interesting what the research is now saying about learning styles. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Faculty self-analysis is just as essential as student self-analysis. Many faculty are hired to teach online without experience or knowledge of how fast paced, how complicated, and time consuming teaching one class online can be. Again, learning style is key being a visual learning and teacher (not auditory talking on the phone or chatting with someone) as it is what is written that counts and gets graded not what is spoken. Faculty also have issues with time management, problem solving, finding things, technology, and understanding the system they are working in all creating an analysis an important tool for setting goals and management of the outcomes. Eric Oestmann
Self-analysis is ongoing for all…we all can strengthen and adapt time management, problem solving, content management and must understand how this all connects to our learning style, our motivation, and ability to problems solve, critically think, and manage a class with many things going on. A faculty member is organizing, teaching, explaining, creating, grading, a customer service rep, and leading a group which takes more skill than being a subject matter expert.
Joanna Oestmann
The self analysis for an on line instructor is important so as doscover one's strengths and take advantage of them, and weaknesses and reinforce them.
