Alberto Rodriguez

Synchronous and Asynchronous learning provide two different types of learning environments. Understanding the learning environment that you are teaching in will help to apply the modifications necessary in order to optimize the learning experience for the students. There are benefits and drawbacks with each environment and these should be considered when developing the teaching style for the course. 

Matching tools with teaching style is essential for getting the most benefit from the learning experience. 

As an instructor we are tasked with the responsibility of monitoring, guiding and motivation student participation and community involvement. 

As an instructor, it is important for me to understand the generational dynamics of my class and develop a communication style that can be effective for each student. This will require a combination of individual outreach as well as setting a trend for community as a whole. 

Managing online communication requires setting, stating and modeling the conduct that should adhered to. Clear communication and constant monitoring is a must for the instructor of the course.  The instructor is also responsible for motivating and prompting continued discussion as they review and comment on student responses. 

Communication is a key component when it comes to learning. There are a variety of tools that can be used in the online classroom that can enhance communication between the educator and the students. Choosing the appropriate platform and using its related features are vital to achieve this goal. The effectiveness of the online tools used should be gauged regularly by both the educator and the students in order to respond and adapt to the needs of the "classroom" as quickly as possible. 

Looking at each course by evaluating it on multiple levels can give a clearer picture as to what can be done to improve the overall structure and delivery. 

Formative assessments are a great way to prepare students for the summative assessments. I can see using formative assessments to engage students in a more focused way and also to solidify learning objectives. 

Appropriate scaffolding is probably one of the most challenging tasks when building a learning environment. Often times students will come into an environment with inefficient methods of learning and may even be prone to self-sabotage. The instructor should take some time to recognize these students and highlight the benefits of scaffolding and work to build and environment that will strengthen effective learning habits for these individuals. A dynamic and well planned syllabus can be the first step to providing this kind of support. 

Testing templates is important during the development process. It is also good to note which aspects of the template best contribute to the learning process and which aspects may not lend much value or may even be confusing. In this way, the course can be continually improved.