Christopher Tannahill

I really liked the suggestions around guest lecturers in synchronus disscusions and utilizing not only the profile of the speaker for class but the inverse as well. Never considered a class profile for the speaker being available. What stuck out most was the amount of in-person teaching that can be converted into the online format. 

Having been previously used to conveying information in class I initially struggled with a format that would be effective for online use. The fact that the quality of the content being made available to the student can be multisensory almost caught me off guard as I had been too narrow in my original thinking. The structural learning and navigational simplicity were obvious and helpful but the learning centered approach to stimulating the student with its increased retention is where I found myself most focused.    

I really liked the pre-emptive approach for students who may have technical issues by inquiring early on in order to identify them quickly. The situations with resistance and students will always be there but the online approaches suggested here have easily given me more options for which I am grateful. Conflict resolution and de-escalation are human and ongoing but this gives me a more effective and consistent approach. 

The suggested methods for asynchronus and synchronus discussions was very helpful regarding the online environment. The types of student learning styles as well has shown that I need to be more prepared to engage them as well as evaluate any deficits quickly in the online arena.      

Considering that my students are becoming cousellors it has always been important to share experience and some history. This module has made it more evident that this can be achieved by inquiring for a bio and supplyin one of myself rather than just verbalizing it at the beginning of class. It also, thankfully, suggested some techniques I already employ so I am pleased to find out I am on the right track.   

The experience of online teaching and learning have some very different challeges as opposed to an in-person education. The CMS shows that I am responsible for a different set of variables which must be taken into consideration for different styles of learning up to and not excluding technical issues. To ensure my students recieve the proper instruction I have to make sure I am more familiar with tech functioning and student needs arising out of that combination than ever before.