Seth Soronnadi
I learned how to project my presence in e-learning environment which enables learner/students to know that I will be there to support them and make their learning experience a successful one.
I work in corrections where overfamiliarity with students is not allowed, with that said I find it very important to truly know the learner and the different modalities you will encounter in the classroom. whether you are online or in the classroom.
I've learned some new ways to make myself visible inside the course I'm teaching. I've learned a few ideas that I didn't know about or thing about. I'll be sending an individual email to each student next term.
I learned it is important to let the students know you are in control and your presence is important. They have to feel secure that you are knowledgeable and that you can assist them when they need guidence.
It is important to have a method to let the students know your experience and expertise. It is just as important to get to know the students background and interests.
I learned the value in building the relationship (via biography, posting regularly) with the online learner.
Introducing yourself as the teacher helps the students see you as a real person that is there to help them through a program that can be very impersonal.
Students will better connected and supported seeing their teacher and their student peers as real people and not just a login name on a screen.
I have learned how important is for the students to know the background and expertise or experience of the instructor on the subject thats being studied .also using videos , deadlines , office virtual hours.
Being related to your students by having open chats, sharing your achievements to students ,keeping the course interesting .
I learned that it is imprtant to establish a professional relationship with students. It is also important to establish a more personal relationship to a certain extent and open up discussions that are not related to the course subjects where students can interact with eachother and the instructor. It is also important to let them know you are reading their biography by comenting on an appropriate subject mentioned in the biography.
I learned about making the experience more personal for students, and to also take the time to get to know them as well.
In this module I learned the importance of setting up a flow of communication with the students from the beginning of the course by introducing myself and establishing my presence and authority. I also learned some techniques for developing relationships with students and communicating with them effectively.
Students need to know who you are and that you are available to help them. It is necessary to develop a positive relationship with them.
The importance of personalizing the online experience with each student. Getting to know students from behind the screen using individual biography's and also projecting your own authority by validating your expertise and credentials to show presence in an e-learning environment.
I had an idea about having a strong presense in an online environment to begin with. I think that it make sense that an instructor should be virtually present by commenting on student work and postings. Something that I did not account for was the fact that too much commenting is unnecessary and may deter students from participating, especially with middle school students. I believe they want to feel that the learning atmosphere is mostly theres with the presense of a facilitator in the background. I also did not think of posting cradentials so that students can see. I do agree that it brings authority when you can see what someone has accomplished. It gives a reason for others to want to listen.
In this module I learned that projecting your authority is important but so is establisihing a relationship. I like to idea of using video and audio clips that include a photo of myself.
Reply to Mardell Newhouse's post:I love your idea of a checklist, I may have to steal that idea!
I need to utilize the discussion boards more effectively. the first class we rolled into from the classroom so students knew eachother and engaged togeher more naurally. the next group have never actually met outside of cyberspace and it is a much less cohesive group. I want to bring the class together better.
We need synchronous discussion boards. weneed to be a cohesive classroom. This is a huge challenge
Letting students know you are participating and present. This is crucial to build their trust in the course.
