Misael Benavides

Structured interviews, such as the mock interviews done by our Career Services Dept., are great for student practice and feedback.

It can be very frustrating when course links for videos, YouTube, etc. do not work. Verify that every tech component like that is working prior to the course opening for the student. If it isn't working, prioritize a fix and reach out to your school's IT department, if necessary, to resolve. 

Consistent language throughout the course is important, so that the student is not confused. Use the same procedures, instructions, and directions with each student and so on to faciliate consistency and ease for the student's LMS experience. 

You must take students' learning styles into consideration when considering content delivery. 

Students keep going through 'life' during their academic careers...and so do we. I find that affirmation towards students and their 'life' situations helps keep students invested in their studies. How you respond will either motivate your student to continue despite their situation or will discourage them from continuing. Simple responses like 'I'm sorry to hear that', 'Oh no...hope you feel better, soon' and the like...will foster care and empathy and most likely motivation to continue during their hardships. 

Participating in discussion forums is great for the students' online experience. When they see an instructor reply to their post, it adds interest and motivation to that student and their work. This translates further down the line throughout the course, also. That same student will now be more likely to participate in the discussion assignments because the instructor engaged with them (and engages with all the students, regularly). 

Opening communication, and opening it early with your students, is very important. Be prompt in your communication, and be ready to be VISIBLE!!! Turn ON your Zoom camera. Sometimes, the online experience can feel like a 'robotic' and impersonal experience to our students. Don't add to that by not being visibly available to them. Do your due diligence and wake up, comb your hair (do your makeup...lol), and be ready to be virtually present and 'visible' to your student. This helps make the online experience less impersonal for them. Smile and be motivating. Students need that.

Turnaround time is something I am very big on. Our generation cannot wait for 1-minute microwavable rice! Students are not fond of waiting for an answer or inquiry. However, it is important as an online instructor that we are prompt. Taking too much time can be detrimental towards the student experience. Consequences of delayed responses are loss of motivation, interest in program or course, pace, student becoming upset, un-invested, etc...just to name a few.