Michael Cook

Michael Cook

About me

I am Professor Michael D. Cook. I earned degrees from Eisenhower College and Cornell University. Here at West Coast University, I teach Medical Ethics and Issues, Critical Reasoning, and Humanities. I have taught humanities courses (including cultural history and critical reasoning) at several institutions, including Cornell, Eastern Illinois University, Everest College Phoenix (online and on-campus) , and Collins College. I chaired the General Education programs at Everest and at Arizona College School of Nursing. I have also researched and written several publications and history museum exhibits, and acted professionally. I now live in Phoenix, Arizona with my wife and my father-in-law. I have two grown daughters. In my spare time I read a lot -- mostly history and fiction -- and I swim when the weather permits.

Activity

Online courses require different strategies than face-to-face courses. Engaging tools and material are key.

 

This module emphasized the importance of the instructor acting as a social director, program manager, and technical assistant. It also stressed the role of the instructor as facilitator, and the importance of evaluation.

 

Both synchronous and asynchronous courses have advantages and disadvantages. Both require an effective pattern of teaching.

 

I learned that there are several tools that instructors can use to facilitate learning, including virtual classrooms, blogs, wikis, and digital portfolios. Each should be evaluated for its effectiveness as learning tools. Student feedback can assist in making judgements about which tools to use.

 

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