Carol Nelson-Valdez

That an important WLMS is the development of a course repository which consists of a course history and a library of learning objects, aka reusable items.

I've learned it's important to clearly communicate exactly how students will be graded from Day One in the syllabus, establishment of virtual office hours, be prepared to use 1:1 virtual meetings, email, or video if necessary for communicating feedback. I'm an elementary teacher - 4th-5th - so keep that in mind if this info seems basic and fundamental to those of you who are working with college level students. I'm reading all this information through the lens of one who will need to adapt for the age of my learners.

In regard to being a "collaborative online instructor," I've learned… >>>

the Internet Service Providers will need to continue to deliver free WiFi to all. I don't understand or know everything about the way school finance works, and if it is such a sacrifice for the ISP's to offer, surely there's a way to include this as a necessary expense for each ISD. It is also important for every student to have a good, working device such as a Chromebook and if there is little to no tech support outside of those on staff who have other teaching positions, it would be helpful, if not vital, for every device to be… >>>

I've learned a lot of solid practical "nuts and bolts" strategies and techniques. These are things you don't learn in college, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. The "three lists of three" is a good one for me. I also learned good foundational principles, questions, and components necessary to consider before designing the Learning Environment.

I appreciated the following especially:

1. be proactive. Share time management process with your students, not only because it will help them, but because the investment will come back to you; for example, preventing procrastination, or making it less likely, so that their "emergency" doesn't… >>>

I've learned that asynchronous communication is the "heart" of online learning and that synchronous communication, a.k.a. "chat sessions" have four major disadvantages, and is best used for 1:1 clarifications personal advice. Video-enabled chat tools increase the effectiveness of synchronous small groups. I've also learned to promote interaction by responding to groups of related responses rather than individual messages, and encouraging learners to comment on a selected learner's response. 

This module h. as taught me that scheduled reminders are a good way to project my presence. I have also learned some specific ways to project my authority: providing a short bio, but also course/module/lesson intros via (1) video clips supported by a printable version of the narrative script for each clip, (2) next best is audio accompanied by a printable and a head/shoulder photo, (3) text supported by a head/shoulder photo, and (4) the least effective: text alone.

I've learned the generic term for a specific tool I'm already accustomed to using. Does Google Classroom count as a Course Management System? I'm familiar with Canvas through my daughter's college courses. I've learned that student attrition can be prevented through a Student Orientation Course. Of prime importance to my success as an online instructor is my ability to manage the learning environment, each learner's experiences, and providing timely, informative, and constructive feedback.