Carole Songer

Be organized. It makes retrieving the information easier. Record keeping protects you and the students. Identify the types of student who can sap your time and manage situations accordingly. Try to create a good learning environment for all students to be able to succeed. 

It is important to remember that your students can't see you. So you need to incorporate other ways to communicate. Identify your avoidant, competitive and dependent students. Check often for student engagement.

It's important for the students to be able to connect with the instructor and other students. Posting a short bio is a nice idea. Set expectations and communicate often. Be consistent by sending messages at regular intervals.

I need to familiarize myself with the platform so I can easily navigate and help students to who need assistance. Make sure that course content is communicated and accessible to students. Make a checklist to ensure that all information is covered.

Have all of your tools in place. Practice. Make learning fun and engaging. Keep your topics to 15 minutes and allow for questions. Vary your delivery. 

Setting the tone for the class starts on the first day. By getting to know your students names and something about them, you are making a deposit in their emotional bank account. Having a fun icebreaker lightens things up a bit and can relieve some of the stress of a new environment.

Planning and preparation are important steps for you and your students. Having a clear roadmap is one of the keys to success. Having a checklist helps to ensure that you aren't missing anything. Keeping a notepad handy for follow up items is a simple way to not miss things important to the students.

I learned that there are many facets to being an excellent instructor. It's important to be a Model, a Manager and a Motivator. The more that you prepare in advance the better.