Guide on the Side | Origin: EL104
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Teaching and Organizing a Virtual Learning Environment --> Guide on the Side
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
I intend to evaluate student end-of-course feedback and surveys to ensure that the voice of the "Guide on the Side" is heard and used to improve facilitation.
Engagement evaluation , is important in synchronous and asynchronous learning .
Student engagement is a very important aspect of asynchronous learning.
I learned to make it fun and enjoyable learning experience and use all available resources
Comment on Wendy Mohlman's post: That's a great idea. They are less likely to get AI to write it if it's about them!
This section highlighted the importance of engaging students and in assessing your own class well.
I miss the days when student's posts seem authentic, and not generated from AI. When assigned to respond to discussion prompts, I ask students to insert a personal touch into their post, such as an experience from their clinical, anything that will humanize their response(s).
A takeaway from this module: Foster learner centeredness. The focus should be on the learner and not the technology.
The online environment brings its own challenges, so the instructor needs to develop and master his or her facilitation methods. One definition for facilitating is to assist the process of, and that is indeed the role of the instructor in the online environment. To assist in the process of learning by the presiding students.
I plan to make my class fun and enjoyable.
There is no right or wrong way to teach your class. Finding the best method that works for you and your students is important. You have to learn to adapt, not everyone learns the same way.
The most important thing that I learned in identifying facilitation methods is that there is no right or wrong way to teach. The student is responsible for their own learning.
When I was a student, I never enjoyed discussion boards. Instructors should make sure to teach students how to respond to a discussion board. Make sure they know what is expected in response to questions or in posting a question.
I intend to focus in on engagement and a student-centered classroom environment.
From this topic, I’ve learned that being a facilitator in an online course means shifting from the “sage on the stage” to the “guide on the side,” where the focus is on guiding students to take responsibility for their own learning. This involves wearing many hats—instructor, social director, program manager, and technical assistant—while creating a learner-centered environment with clear expectations and timely, meaningful feedback. I plan to apply this by structuring my courses with problem-based learning, encouraging collaboration, and making sure my communication is clear and supportive so students stay engaged and motivated in the virtual space.
I learned that the more organized you are and how to information is delivered, the smoother the class will go.
The more time you spend organizing, the less chaos you will have in the class.
I learned teaching strategies that promote student engagement, establishing clear expectations, and the effective use of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods for student success.
