Jeffrey CovingtonCHEP

We are fairly to e-learning and I still struggle a bit with asynchronous conversations. I have always been use to face to face learnigng. I find through practice and discussion with others that I am improving.

I share as much of my back ground,,,,, experience and experience as pssible with my students. I want them to feel confident that they have a skilled inistrucotr and what they are learning is of value to them in their learning experience. They also need to feel that they will be able to apply the knowledge and skills they are gathering.

I agree that to be highly successful with the course, you must be very familiar with the course. If not, you will not be able to field questions in an acurate and professional level.

Instructors should integrate as many resourse as possible into the learning environment. Something as simple as a cutaway of a component or a vdeo could be the trigger for some students. I cover reaar drive axles in my course and TORSEN is one I have to explain. I first demondtrate to the students how an adjustable wrench works, which is something most are familiar with. Then I apply that understanding to the TORSEN. They both work on the principle of worm gear /worm wheel.I still have a few who struggle with it so I have them view a video online… >>>

I strive to get students to understand the way in which complex systems work, such as a gear box(transmission) in a car. I have them disassembly the component and examine how all the individual components work and also how they interact. I get plenty of questions and discussions. What once seemed complex is now simple and diagnosis becomes easier and more precise. This concept works on many applications.

What I am seeing is students spendiing more time trying to figure out how to get around online content than it would take to actually watch it and learn. I constantly encourage my students both in person and by messaging to get engaged in the learning process. 

When students are given some freedoms in their learning environment, learning can be enhanced. It may also become more interesting to them and be of greater value. I feel that for me personaly, the more it interest me, the more I retain so why would students be any different.

I like to be more of a three way combination, primarily the guide and controller the majority of the time, but i am a little bit of the buddy as well. I do care about my students well being and will talk to them when I think personel problems are getting in the way of their professional developement.