Ron Perry

I like what I am learning about organization and consistency and am relfecting on this as I revise my high school courses for next year. I also now realize how 'cold' my online classroom is currently...with no welcome letter, photo, or instructor bio, etc. I can now see that by creating a more welcoming community of learning for my students, I can improve upon student engagement & learning.

Moving forward, I need to better communicate the course expectations up front, as well as provide timely feedback to the students after they submit their work. 

I need to take a long hard look at my current teaching practices (largely based on F2F), reflect on what I am now learning about syncronous and asyncronous online learning, and most likely make some significant changes to better facilitate meaningful educational experiences for my high school learners as we move forward in this uncertain world of COVID we find ourselves in. 

There are many variables to consider when looking at teaching effectiveness and optimal student learning. These include teaching styles, teaching tools, learning environment, student learning styles, assessment alignment to the standards, curriculum relevance to post-secondary "real life," level of student engagement, etc, etc. I guess one of my take-aways from this module is that I need to reflect on my own teaching style(s) and ensure I am adapting it well in the new online classroom setting, as well as carefully and thoughtfully utilizing the appropriate distance learning tools to facilitate the optimal level of student learning possible. 

I was reminded of how there are different learner characteristics & behaviors which can positively (or otherwise) impact the online learning experience for the group. I learned some way in which I can better identify this and manage the online learning experience in an effort to keep students appropriately focused, engaged, and learning the course content. 

I have learned that the emphasis for classroom learning should be via asyncronous learning activities, vs. syncronous means. We need to establish netiquete rules of engagement at the beginning of the course, actively monitor all discussions/chats, and provide timely & meaningful feedback to our online learners in an effort to make the experience worthwhile for them...as well as to facilitate keeping them engaged.

I have learned of the importance of establishing authority in the online setting by posting my Bio, photo, and teaching credentials & experience. I have been reluctant to do this in the past due to a belief that it's not all about me...not really into self-promotion. However, after advancing through this module and reflecting afterward, I see now that it is important for the students (and possibly their parents) to see that I possess significant & relevant credentials, experience, and education in the specialty that I teach. 

The course structure and online layout are very important to eastblish prior to launching the curriculum for online learners, but also must ensure full CMS and technical support are locked-on and posted prior to launch.