Leslie Williams

Through this module, I have learned that the online space requires time and attention to detail just as it does in face to face interactions. Many students will need to be kept on track and helped through the courses in a personalized way.

Engaging learners with a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning is important. Synchronous learning gives students the opportunity to participate in real time where asynchronous learning could give more students the opportunity to collaborate and participate. 

By projecting your presence in an online class, you are letting the students know that you are available to them, that you are professional and have experience, and that you want to form a relationship with them even though you aren't meeting in person.

Course delivery is especially important when teaching online content. Students must be able to access the content with ease, and when they have issues they should be able to access technical support immediately in order to not become frustrated.

Content delivery is important due to the various learning styles of students. Varying the ways in which the content of your lecture is delivered will be able to reach more learners than strictly lecturing in one way.

Meeting the class for the first time is an opportunity to get to know them and establish your authority and knowledge. In telling the class about your experience, you are asserting that you know the content of the class. By having the students introduce themselves and likewise introducing yourself, you're forming a bond and trust with your students by getting to know one another.

It's important to be prepared for your subject and the classroom dynamics both for the success of the material, but also for the success of the students. Having a layout that includes objectives and a syllabus will help you stay on track as well as help the students know what is expected.

I learned how to appropriately balance professionalism and empathy while keeping control of a classroom. There are various strategies when it comes to being a professional instructor and teaching affectively.