Deborah Rivera

Students learning from Students is most empowering and less intimidating.  

I work at a Tech school with a variety of demographical students.  What I see is Student's not owning their own education and Instructors pushing and pulling for goals to be met when Students themselves are not managing and owning their own progress.  This is an eye opener for me to realize; I can share my knowledge, experience and time but the Students must own their own desire to seek out the trade they have chosen to be educated in. 

Testing formats are designed to the type of information we are wanting our students to learn.  I now have a format to follow on how to design my tests according to the type of exam I am wanting to give the Students. 

I often asked my Students questions and I'd get "I don't know the answer" looks or eye balls rolling.  I never knew there was a particular technique to asking questions and how to get a productive response from the Students.  

Each Student learns in very different ways.  I had a class where they were visual learners and when I gave my personal stories and how it related with the topic my students retained the information.  On the other hand I had a group of direct listening learners and all they needed were the facts w/o personal story telling.  As an Instructor; I had to take each groups feedback and adjust my teaching style to their learning preference.  I had to be the flexible teacher and respect each student for their learning style. 

Planning is the biggest key to stay organized.  To help the students and yourself stay on track; keeping in mind to stay flexible when needed. 

Organization is the key to successful online teaching.  Forwarding that knowledge to our students is just as important for them to succeed. 

Online learning may be seem simple and free to new students; but planning your academic time is important.  Setting rules for yourself and setting a personal outline for oneself is important such as the 7 principles of learning. 

What I learned about preparing students for on-line learning is not just reviewing course material but enlighten the student on how much time, dedication, and time they will need to give their course.  What type of learner are they and how organized are they with their life.  

Becoming motivated towards my job/teaching my subject is just as important as me motivating my students to learn.  What can I do? Take my lectures and see how it applies to their new career in reality instead of me reading words off a piece of paper.  Bring in my own experiences and how the information applied to me in the work field.