Erin,
You are right! Research shows we are most comfortable teaching to the way we learn the best. That doesn't work with all of the students!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Denise,
You make a great point of understanding our own strengths and weaknesses so we can adjust.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janet,
You are right, you need to recognize the strengths! We tend to focus on the negative don't we?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janet,
Research shows taking an online course is the BEST training for an online educator! Good answer!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Laurie,
I think the orientation is such an important part of online learning. You can create an online orientation about your course and your teaching too.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Antoinette,
You make a good point, it is not all about the content, but setting the expectations of the course and the instructor. Good answer.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Darren,
You are right, we have to use it well. We have to provide feedback for that "assessment" as well.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Emily,
You are right. It gives us as instructors starting points to really individualize learning .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
As instructors, we have a tendency to calcify or stay in our comfort zones. Technology, however, is undeniably always changing, and generally at a rapid pace. By completing self analysis and inventories on an ongoing basis, we can make sure that we're measuring up to what the platform has to offer.
At the same time, we'll be able to find out where our strengths and weaknesses lie. Then we can teach to our existing skill set and work on making improvements and gains in other areas.
It is important to understand what your strengths and weaknesses are so there can be improvement. You need to be able to assist all students in your class and you should be able to understand learning styles.
If you complete a self analysis you will be able to identify opportunities for improvement in areas where you identify weaknesses. You may also see strengths that have previously been unrecognized and you may be able to build on those as well.
Taking an online course is also very beneficial in helping to build self confidence - it puts us in the same position as the student and we can be more empathetic.
This is a great response. We learn on a continual basis and we can always improve some aspect of our abilities. Technology constantly changes as well and we need to stay ahead of the curve here so we can assist the students.
Self analysis helps us identify areas of weakness and opportunities for improvement.
Detra,
I would agree that there is always room for improvement with our teaching technique. New technology is being introduced that requires us to keep up to date, the expectations of schools and students changes, and we need to keep our skills updated and challenged to meet these expectations.
Laurie
I am thinking back to my first online instructor position. How scary was that! Before I applied for the position, I thought about what strengths I might have to be success: motivation, time management, and organization. However, I knew that I was "unsure" of the technical component. As it turned out, the school that I was going to teach for provided on orientation that allowed us to become familiar with the course platform. This was most helpful in building the confidence to be successful.
As I took on new and different online teaching positions, I had developed more confidence related to the technology. I knew that if I could master one, I could master them all!
Laurie
As an online instructor, it's important to complete a self-analysis inventory to assess the skill level, competencies, commitment to be an online instructor.
I can relate to be an online student, so I know the various challenges my students may face. This allows me to be more open to different situations that may affect their abilities to deliver their work on time.
However, I still have to set rules in my classroom to prevent some from students from taking advantage of being in an online learning environment.
Completing the self-analysis inventory will allow us to know the strengths and weaknesses we have. In analyzing our weaknesses we will be able to design a plan to improve.
Hi,
Just as we want students to be prepared, we as instructors need to know where we are at before beginning a course. We need to be honest with ourselves and assess our own strengths and weaknesses. We can leverage the former for success, and work on the latter to facilitate the very best we can!
Detra,
Great answer! It is easy for use to teach the way we learn; that is our natural inclination!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Darcy,
You are so right! We as educators have to practice continuous quality improvement. It doesn't matter if it is f2f or online!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
