Students choose an online forum for a variety of reasons: flexibility, work-life balance, preferred learning environement, etc. However, success is determined by several variants including a supportive instructor and easy to follow CMS with IT assistance available.
In an e-learning environment, learners have a higher sense of comfort and security when they are convinced that someone will be there to support them. I've basically learned that in order to make my students more comfortable its best to keep an open communication also to be well organized and ready to trouble shoot with them if need be or at least know where to find the answers they need technical or otherwise.
It is important to understand the tasks within my role as an instructor within the online role to inspire confidence from the students. By having them interact with the lessons there is a better chance for success and a higher rate of student retention.
The information in this module was helpful in understanding how an online class should be set up and what is expected from us as online instructors.
I find it interesting that students that are apart of this more advanced techonlogy generation, still find themselves frustrated with online/web-based learning.
I like the critical thinking element of student participation.
Reply to Gina Barton's post:
I really liked this particular point as well Gina! And that it applies to both technical support as well as learning support.
I found the fact that different schools use different items out of these lists of things you can do in an online course important to learn. It can be frustrating if you are an adjunct and teach at different schools. One thing I liked that this course did is emphasize that different teachers teach the same course in different ways. Canned courses like the freedom and creativity of creating your own course from the ground up – but that creativity is still a part of how you teach.
Nancy Tosh
An effective CMS is necessary to convert in-person classrooms to online classrooms.
Online teaching has its disadvantages as well as advantages. Online teaching would not be my greatest skill so I need to work on finding ways to better myself
Understanding and taking time for student needs and better ways to help them
Online learning plays a key role in todays society. It is important as an instructor that you know the material and also know how to navigate through the content.
I will review the content of the material and make sure to follow all guidelines. I will keep an open discussion with the students to make sure they understand the content that is being taught.
Students have a higher sense of confidence when they know that there is an instructor to answer questions and IT support if there are computer issues.
Importance of using different methods of teaching
In order to be a successful Online instuctor in addition to your expertize on the topic you will teach, you also must familize yourself with the CMS process. The best approach is to complete an online tutorial and nagivate the plateform before your first day of classroom teaching.
Support infrastructure consist of learning and technical support.
There is definitely a need to understand the operation of a CMS before launching it. Instructors should have a thorough knowledge and high level of expertise in the system before using it to deliver a course. In a case where a school is transitioning to online learning from on campus instruction it should not be deployed until the CMS is totally developed, instructors are trained and familiar with it, and the content is reviewed and approved by the subject matter experts and/or instructors. Simultaneously launching such a program while training of the faculty is ongoing can cause serious uncertainty and loss of confidence by both the students and faculty. Such a breakdown will undoubtedly result in increased student drop rates.
I agree that to be highly successful with the course, you must be very familiar with the course. If not, you will not be able to field questions in an acurate and professional level.
