Theresa Schmitz

The talkative student can be a challenge, but they can also be an asset by electing them to help out when it comes to teamwork.  The talkative student usually wants to be the team captain as it meets their needs to be center stage.  You can give them instructions on what the team should do and them let them help in completing the work with the team's help.

I will review the syllabus as well as the late assignment expectations.  Reviewing these items will set my students up for success in my classroom.

Understanding the differently learning styles that students have is very important.  It is also important to incorporate all those teaching styles within your classroom as much as possible because it makes for a well-rounded content all your students.  It is also important to understand that adults only have a small window of time (18 minutes) that their attention spans will be available, otherwise they will get bored and tune out.  Taping your lectures, was well as having mini lectures will help in getting the content of your class accepted by your students.

I have learned how important it is to have a positive first impression with my students.  I need to get to know my students and learn their names and put faces with those names.  I also need to make sure that I give clear instruction on the syllabi, as well as the course objectives to my students.  I need to make policies and protocols for my classroom clear to my students so there is no confusion.

I plan to get to my room 30 minutes early before class in order to make sure my classroom is set up correctly and that I have all the supplies needed in order to teach the class.  I also plan to introduce myself to my students so that they feel that I am approachable.  I also will make note of their names and try to pronounce them correctly.

I have learned that it is essential to be very professional with my students and to also show respect to my students.  I demonstrate my professionalism by showing up to school on time, dressing appropriately, and demonstrating positive mannerisms to my students.  I also know that I will assume many roles as an instructor to my students, which includes being a mentor, as well as a role model.  

Problem-based active learning strategies can help students in their online courses by helping them to building their critical thinking skills.  The use of problem-based learning strategies by online instructors can help students to understanding how to apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios and to also help them reflect upon that knowledge through peer reflection of themselves and each other.

I currently feel overwhelmed with online teaching and feel that I will be uneasy at first with using active learning techniques.  I feel this module will help me to have clear communication with my students and to also be the facilitator over my online classroom.

I have learned many different active learning techniques with this module, but feel that I can effectively engage my students using an introduction video showing them ways to actively engage online and to facilitate their learning.

I have learned that active learning gives the student the opportunity and responsibility of their learning through online learning or whether it is synchronous or asynchronous.  Some instructors have a hard time letting go of the reins so to speak and let the learner find their answers on their own in an online learning environment.  It has been proven that when learners are given the material to look at on their own, the still have the wisdom of the instructor if they need help with the material.  Learners become more active in their learning process with active learning techniques.