Elizabeth Lane

Active learning requires students to self-reflect, through journaling or discussion, by analyzing their learning processes, experiences, and outcomes to improve future performance.  It involves utilizing journalistic questions—Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why (and not necessarily in that order)—to develop their critical thinking about their educational journey. 

Journalistic Questions for Active Reflection:

• What: What did I learn? What went well, and what could be done better? What was the goal?
• How: How did I accomplish this? How did I feel about the task? How did I handle challenges?
• Why: Why is this important? Why did I choose this strategy? Why
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In a section of this module, “The Seven Principles” developed and revised (1996) by Chickering and Ehrmann inform us that new technologies and information enhanced the core educational practices.  The Seven Principles follow:  

• Encourage contact between students and the instructor.
• Develop reciprocity and cooperation among students.
• Encourage active learning.
• Provide prompt feedback.
• Emphasize time on task.
• Communicate high expectations.
• Respect diverse talents and ways of learning. 

The concept that relies on “cooperation among students” is one that I believe, if properly utilized, can lead to true collaboration among students.  It’s important for them to learn that the professional world… >>>

Comment on Natalie Cutcher's post: I agree with your statement.  Some students will have a terrific amount of technological savviness, but this does not apply to all students.  There should be a tutorial made available to all students at the start of the online program to demonstrates the basics of using the available technology.

As mentioned in one section of this module, the elements of an effective Learning Management System (LMS) that enhance the online learning space for many reasons: centralized administration, content delivery, messaging and notification tools, collaboration tools, assessment tools, and grade center.  However, the downside is that the LMS is that there is a lack of personal interaction. Therefore, it cannot replace the mentoring, collaboration, and immediate feedback of in-person training.

During this section of the module, I appreciated the mention of effective communication being composed of three components: Clear, Professional, and Appropriate.

• Clear communication is focused and concise.
• Professional refers to the communication protocols and norms within a professional setting.
• Appropriate communication must be tailored to the specific audient and must always be respectful.

One area of this module really caused me to really stretch my thinking about students who struggle with learning disabilities when I came to the following statements: “Students may also process information more slowly and need more time than typically expected to understand the course content. This disability may also lead to a lower level of reasoning and a lack of ability to follow logical steps. However, this may also be connected to memory issues such as students having a lack of ability in remembering or recalling information.”

In nursing programs, there is a critical need for students to prioritize… >>>

In one section of this module, we were told to remember to always keep a record of all communication relevant to handling any behavioral problem.  

Documentation should be concise and consistent to include (1) be objective and specific, meaning withhold your opinions and just document the facts; (2) record virtual sessions if allowed since recording synchronous classes  provides concrete evidence of actions during live sessions; (3) note communication attempts and log every interaction with students and parents, including emails sent, phone calls made, and virtual office hour check-ins; (4) document interventions by keeping a running log of strategies tried,… >>>

As stated in one section of this module regarding guidelines for the instructor who is providing feedback to the online student, (1) feedback should be provided on a timely basis (2) in such a way that they build confidence within learners and encourage them to continue to pursue the course objectives, and (3) when feedback contains criticisms, choose the correct tone and wording to avoid damaging the learner's dignity.  So, below I have provided examples of each of the above three guidelines.

Providing timely feedback:
Example: "Hi Sarah, I’ve returned your week 1 essay within 48 hours so you… >>>

The two points that stand out to me in this section of the module are:

• Before the end of the first week of the course, send a personalized message to each student. Identify any aspect of the student's biographical sketch you believe is safe to discuss. Send your personal comments. Remind them of your virtual office hours.
• Be sensitive to concerns learners express and questions they raise, and be consistent in the manner in which you provide timely feedback.

I think it is a special touch for the instructor to send a “personalized” message to each student because it demonstrates… >>>

Although instructors will probably take different methods to teach towards the common goal, there are characteristics in place that should not be altered such as the grading scheme, points awarded to quizzes and assignments, and the start and end dates of the course, etc.