Reply to Lisa Brown's post:I also was intrigued by all the responsibilities for an online instructor. I have used online teaching casually when students ask for it, but was not so concerned about the responsibility it entailed. I simply used it to help students understand a concept or to catch them up when they missed a class/lecture. It was very informal; however, those students have given great feedback on the fact that I responded to their questions on a personal basis.
All classes function the best when everyone, instructor included, is aware of the structure, boundaries and expections. Being able to communicate effectively between the student and instructor is paramount.
From this module, I have learned the importance of understanding the basic characteristics needed to manage an effective online course. The fact that I drive student success and completion of the course depends on my management and understanding of not only the content and tech support, but all the factors of the online class from presentation to grades and everything in between.
Students experience will be determined by:
- Instructor preparedness
- Instructors ability to pass on to student the inner workings of the course
- The availability of instructor and IT support
- amount and diversity of interaction within the course
My reflection after completing this module is that instructors can create online courses that provide engaging, meaningful learning that supports student mastery of learning outcomes. The strategies provided in the module are helpful recommendations for instructors to use in the creation of an online course.
I learned how online education is structured so that one can easily navigate, review rosters, post attendance and announcements, track perfomance and post annoucements.
The need for students to know you are attentive to their needs and will support their efforts.
What have you learned from this module?
I learned that the quality of an online course depends on its ability to demonstrate structural integrity, intellectual interaction, navigational simplicity, and provide active learner-center learning. It is also essential to be able to view the class roster, post announcements, post discussion questions, participate in chat sessions, and post events in the calendar. It is also important to familiarize myself with the course delivery techniques provided. It is essential to know the course start and end dates, the location of course components, and points awarded for participation.
How do you intend to apply it?
I intend to apply these techniques by continuing to schedule events and meetings by posting them on my calendar. I will continue to send my students announcements. I will also submit discussion board questions to each student.
My students will be more successful and will have fewer issues if there is a good understanding of the CMS platform, classes are interactive, and if I as an instructor have a deep understanding of the delivery system. This is new for me, but I will make it my priority to gain this understanding.
Be familiar with the online system. Be involved with the students as much as possible to keep them engaged.
You should navigate the course content in a student role before presenting if possible. This will allow you to anticipate any questions the students may have.
Knowing the different ways courses are structured will help me better understand how to successfully deliver and maintain content to my students. Understanding the CMS that I will use to deliver the course is also very important in the success of my instruction.
During this COVID19 school closures, I've been thrown into being an online instructor. Many of the aspects of teaching online learners, are not available to during this crisis teaching and learning time. I am not planning a course from scratch but instead I am trying to finish the curriculum that has been established by the district and state standards. If I were able to build a course from the beginning using these strategies, I believe it may be more user friendly and concise for our students.
Online instructors must know the CMS and how to navigate through all aspects. Instructors should know how to assist the student when they have issues from the online learners view point.
The students will be more receptive if they know they have support from their IT and also instructor. Be open and available for your students with questions and reply and respond to them in a timely mannor. Their success also lies in the instructor being open to them and available.
Online teaching platforms require thoughtful planning to provide instruction meaninful to the online learners in a structural manner that is easy to follow. It is important that you understand the platform in order to provide resources and instruction that is easy to follow.
I have learned that online instruction is not an easy way out for the instructor or the student. The instructor must be active and engaging to ensure that students have the best chance to succeed. An instructor must also have an understanding about the components and practices that correlate with student success.
The online environment has definitely evolved in the years that I've been teaching. There are so many tools that are available to us as instructors, including the ability to have live video lectures with our students. It is also important to know the deadlines that us instructors, are responsible for. We expect our students to know and abide by deadlines and we must be the example.
having full understandmant of the online course and how its delivered is crucial in order to help students better. you need to put yourself in their shoes to help them
As an instructor, it is important that in an e-learning environment, students understand the components of CMS. Learning different instructional strategies for different students in imperative in students being successful in an online learning environment
