I use my professional background to engage with students by showing them what they can become.
I have learned how important it is to be sensitive to the students' needs and be empathetic with students through this process.
This module provides the instructor with techniques to project their presence to the learner to reassure them they have the support of the instructor. Also, recommendations for demonstration an instructors qualification and authority to teach the course.
Students need to know some basic information about the instructor, as well as each other.
I learned that online you must how to influence, persuade, inspire and energize. I also learned that the first assignement should be a short biology of themselves.
It is very important to get to know your student's on an academic level. I like to know about their past learning experience and why they choose to attend the course. Having this information is useful if the student needs a pep talk. I will also have a good idea of the challenges they may face in the course.
Professor presence lets students know faculty support is readily available.
Establishig relationships was a good topic to learn. I do well with connecting with students, but this term I am learning to dig deeper as I have been using Yellowdig. Some ways to do that are to create other discussion board topics not solely related to the weekly topic. Covering topics that have students engage and give personal experiences is one way to really allow students engage.
A video is most memorable way to post your biography to students. It's important to understand your students as well.
I learned that a photo and background intro of myself as well as a bio of the students is crucial in the e-learning environment.
Just because you are behind a computer screen, you still should have and work toward developing a sound relationship with your students.
The more personal you can make the online experience the better. There are so many techniques you can use to make this type of learning a great experience.
I appreciate the idea of having the students post an introduction bio about themselves including the instructor while also including hobbies and interests. This brings a personal touch and sparks conversation amoung students and the instructor as well.
I have learned to be very interactive with your students.
I learned more about the importance of student introductions/biographies. In my experience, I've struggled to get students to respond in this area. I'm thinking of making it more interactive and fun by asking each student to ask five random questions of a fellow student and then that student will be expected to respond. I'm thinking of questions with short answers (What is your favorite TV show?, Coke or Pepsi?, etc.). Hopefully this will be a nice ice breaker as students won't see it as intellectually daunting or burdensome.
I will apply these strategies by:
- Asking the right questions and analyzing the answers.
- Effective listening.
- Verbal cues.
- Body language including posture, movement and gesture, and eye movements.
- Voice tone and quality.
It is important to get to know the students and let them get to know you and each other. This needs to occur at the start of the course to create a collaborative group learning environment. It also helps students to feel that they are not alone, but have support for their learning.
I learned how to demonstrate my authority online using my credentials and experience...and that including a brief bio can help accomplish this
I should post a bio with my credentials so as to inspire confidence in the students. For the first assignment, I will also have the students post a bio as well. By all of us posting bios, a level of trust may better develop.
I like the idea of sharing a bio of yourself and having each student share theirs. I makes everyone feel more comfortable with communicating throiugh video.
