David Lopez

Managing conflict is key to having a productive, online experience. I'll build on my institution's existing policies. I recognize that i need to learn more about how to efrfectively manage my students in an online class. In this regard, Module 4 provided some very helpful tips.

The session gave me some good tips for fostering class discussions. 

The student bios is a great idea. Where I currently teach, the courses are compact and last for only six weeks. Its hard to establish a comfortable and safe atmosphere for discussion. I think the student bio will help facilitate class discussion. I'll use it in the next session.

As an instructor, its important that I am familiar with the resources I need to effectively teach my course. In an online environment, I'm wearing a variety of different hats. The one I find most challenging is "defacto student help-desk." Any questions students have about the tech are usually sent to me first. I don't like referring the question to my institutions IT people, because I think it sends the wrong message to the students. As much as possible, I feel that I should be able to assist them in the basics of any course management system. To do that… >>>