Denise Flores

Learning environments can be as diverse as their participants and require instructor moderation and influence. Students often benefit from guidance and reminders to help ensure they meet requirements. 

Engagement is vital in learning and requires active instructional oversight to stimulate and influence meaningful discussions.

I have learned the importance of knowing your course management system well and utilizing technical support as needed to help track student activity and engagement. I have also learned the importance of instructor engagement to facilitate student learning. 

Developing Content

In this section, I learned that perhaps I could record myself teaching to catch potential bad habits and find ways to improve my delivery. I know I sometimes say “um” often, which is a bad habit. I also like the idea of using a decision tree to lay out the topics/concepts as they are covered. 

I appreciate the recommendation to take a picture of the class / use headshots of est student to place a name with their face to remember names. It is always difficult for me at first to remember names. I also plan to start using the recommendation of having a “get to know you” segment at the beginning of the first class. Since I am teaching a class in BSN students’ 9th semester, they mostly already know each other. However, using creative games, they may learn more and be able to connect better moving forward - even if they’ve been together… >>>

Planning and Preparation Reflection 
In reflecting on this section of learning, I especially appreciate the focus on having objectives containing specific tasks that students should be able to complete within a set timeframe. I also am going to adopt the method of using more checklists to ensure all components of the class are addressed/completed to avoid rushing to complete at the end. In my class specifically, since it’s the last of their BSN instruction before graduation, they are required to turn in a cumulative competency checklist of all semesters. In the future, I plan to have students turn these in… >>>

In reflecting on what I have learned thus far in this course, I can say with confidence that this has enhanced my confidence by reinforcing many of the methods, principles, and techniques I use in teaching. In addition, I’ve learned the importance of not just creating teaching plans and goals for student learning, but also my own learning. Making specific professional development goals along with a timeline for completion will help me become a more effective teacher.