This module emphasized the importance of getting to know and engage the students and also taught many strategies to keep a presence in the online setting.
I have learned how to effectively begin an online course.
It is important to engage with students so they know who you are in a professional setting and show them that you are taking the time to learn who they are.
As an instructor, projecting your presence helps student to feel more confident in you and helps them to have a more structured learning environment. Both parties' confidence is boosted, and learning is enhanced.
Comment on Holly Voss's post: I agree Holly just pushing that extra step to know your student goes a long way. They will appreciate the effort, and will feel comfortable asking questions.
sharing a short biography between students and instructor will build trust, comfortability and support between each other and will positively impact the E- learning process
You can build a professional relationship with your students through sharing your experience and educational background, and having them share their biography with you.
Making yourself present by asking students to post a short biography of themselves to be shared with everyone.
Building relationships with one another and sharing experiences.
As an instructor it is important for the students to know who you are and your experience to improve the instructor's presence. By doing this, it will increase the relationship between the student and the instructor. This will improve success and retention of your students.
Not only am I aiming to effectively teach my students, I am also aiming to grow as an instructor.
I do agree that projecting you authority is important but being available and keeping open lines of communications with students is by far the most important thing. That's the main difference between in class and online learning - distance and availability of the instructor. Using techniques provided in the module we can lower impact of that distance.
Sometimes projecting your presence can make one believe that they have to dominate the course. However, leading the course while effectively projecting your presence can mean being selective in your responses, as opposed to dominating every discussion post.
We can make good trust with our student even behind the screen.
I learned about projecting academic authority by making sure students are aware of your qualifications, academic achievements, experience working/applying the material in the field, and any other points which establish yourself as a subject matter expert in the field.
I learned that being an online instructor that you need to be active and a support system. I also learned that you need to get know students just the way you would in a class setting. I would set up live video meeting that students can join and we can talk about any question or struggles that they may have.
I learned that the instructor's introduction process is especially important and can result in more interaction between students and the instructor.
I took away from this module, the importance of student-instructor relationship. Sharing biography of yourself and students can help achieve a good quality relationship.
Our backgrounds as professionals bring confidence to the class, but engaging with students and gaining insight of your students and their particulars will inform greater success.
The importance of establishing a presence with your students that can grow into a learning relationship.
