It is very important to be prepared.
Communication is key with online courses. Making sure that students have an orientation session to the course and all of the links are properly functioning. The orientation session can be accomplished by video recording with closed caption and transcript information.
I find it entertaining that the course tells one to familiarize themselves with the content prior to instruction, I hope we have not reached the point in education where teachers teach without knowledge......
Everyone has a different approach to instruction in the online setting, but key point is engagement and communicaton.
I have been teaching Dental Assisting for many years. There is not a set of instructors that teaches everything exactly the same. Just as there are not 2 dentists alike.
Though course introduction is similar, it is important to fully understand how the course management system works.
Students can feel confident that instructors are available to guide them through the lessons.
As an instructor it's my responsibility to effectively manage the online learning environment, teach and assist with technical navigation all the way to the course/lessons.
Know what you are teaching. Make sure you have everything you need. Know the CMS System. Make sure you have structure, are clear with your due dates and deadlines for grades. Make sure your students are understanding the information and have access to everything you will be teaching.
It's super important to try to connect with e-learners and assure them of your presence as an instructor.
Even though the students are learning online, we still need to do our part as the instructor to know the material they are going over. We need to have active discussing to aid in insisting the information sticking
Communication is so important and can be conveyed via body language, words or voice tone. In learning how to utilize communication in each of these areas, we as professionals are able to communicate effectively and proficiently regardless of the message we are sending.
From this module, I've learned the critical role of instructor presence in creating a supportive and successful e-learning environment. Learners thrive when they feel supported and guided throughout their learning journey. As an online instructor, I intend to apply this by actively engaging with my students, being responsive to their questions and concerns, and providing timely and constructive feedback on their work.
I've also learned the importance of managing the learning environment effectively. This includes organizing course materials in a clear and accessible manner, setting clear expectations for participation and performance, and fostering a sense of community among learners. By creating a structured and engaging learning environment, I aim to facilitate meaningful learning experiences for my students.
I believe students should receive timely, individualized, constructive, and encouraging feedback on a timely basis. Instructors should also be actively engaged in the discussion board at least five days a week including one day on the weekend.
In elearning, learning and instruction is very flexible. Using various modalities will help connect with students and help them contextualize their learning.
It's very important to understand the techniques and strategies of the content of a course, also to become fully familiar with the institution's online course delivery platform.
Become familiar with the need of the students.
This part showed me that there's a lot more to teaching online than just sitting/standing there instructing. There's an immense amount of communication and more structure and discipline needed on both ends of the screen.
Understanding how to navigate the CMS is important for all parties. Knowing the roles and expectations and ensuring that instructors and other support staff understand the management system and adhere to the rules is important so that the students have consistency and know what to expect.
Course management and active participation
