As the instructor, it is important for you to activley engage studnets in different ways and provide timely feedback.
I really think this module reminded me how active I need to be in my online classroom. I need to give timely and effective feedback more often, but at the same time set guidelines so that I do not appear to be availabl 24/7. I also really want to find the ways to motivate students to want to be engaged.
I need to make sure all communication is lear because it will be received exactly as stated.
Also use different methods of communication and evaluations from the students to evalute the course.
An Instructor must evaluate the effectiveness of a course by student grades and student comments.
Clear a presise communication is essential in the online learning process. It will enhance the learning experience and help the students from becoming frustrated and disengaged.
I think I am up to hat #6 or 7, not just 4, as I review all that I will need to master before starting to teach virtually, and grow into more of a faciliator of learning. I do think most of the content presumes that the styudents are very active participants in their learning; I hope a future module addresses how to influence those who are not (maybe a third of my population requires a lot of encouragment, chivying, and just flat out sitting down with them to get them started on assignments).
Feedback from students is the best way to make adjustments and ensure they you're providing the best for your students.
Successfully facilitating skills such as promoting student engagement, managing online discussions, and providing feedback helps to build relationships in an online course. It is important for me to eventually become the "guide on the side."
Online discussions among students enable them to vocalize their thoughts and learn from the knowledge shared by other participants in the course. The instructor can facilitate the discussions by intervening when necessary to make sure that students remain respectful to each other and that the discussions are centered around the actual lesson or topic of discussion. Student evaluations of the teacher's performance will vary based on the the expectations they have for their own learning outcomes.
As a facilitator or learning, the students can be responsible for their own learning, however, clear communication given by the instructor is vital to a better learning outcome. In an online environement, students cannot see body language and will take what is being said literally and may misinterpret the intended message. In order to have a higher learning outcome, students need organization, interaction, participation, and feedback. Feedback will keep them more engaged, better informed, and less isolated. Instructors must learn and feel comfortable with the technology being utilized in order to assist students navigate an LMS system and other technology being used.
As the Guide on the Side, a strong facilatator will determine their method, develop a plan, evaluate the process, and reflect on how it went. In my instruction, I want to be this guide on the side and facilitate a true problem based learning experience for my students.
I totally agree regarding feedback, it keeps my students engaged.
Good communication is crucial for making connections with students which at the same time motivates them to do better in class. Likewise, it challenges them to find their own voice to communicate privately and publically
Here's what I took away...to quote the current text: Successful online facilitation in an online environment should engage, guide, and motivate learners and provide a safe and conducive environment for learning and communication exchange for all learners regardless of their prior experiences and their predisposition (or otherwise) toward online learning. The key to effective facilitation is to remember to always review and reassess what and how you previously taught your students.
Quick feedback is important for students to keep progressing through the lessons and feel like the instructor is there for them. I agree that allowing students most likely do not learn from student comments but it does build community. I teach middle school and they need very clear instructions on making comments - what is appropriate, etc.
Finding ways to get students to participate is important in effective learning. Using feedback can help to evolve a course and continue improving student's understanding.
Feedback and evaluation of program is essential to success
Having student be very aware of class expectations from the beginning is very important. It seems that the course should be almost complete before the beginning of the course so that the teacher is able to spend more time quickly responding to discussions and providing feedback from assignments. As a beginning teacher, I’ve always had a difficult time creating lecture, assignments, and labs, while also providing quick feedback. Having almost all (or all) course content ready on day one would be necessary for me, so that I would not fall behind with correspondence with students.
I learned there is no right or wrong way to reah online, but its important to hage effective learning. Instructors need to modify their teaching styles. Online instructors wear many 'hats' but the best instructors need to have great communicate skills.
The most important takeaway for me is the imporatance of prompt, informative feedback. This helps the instructor to better facilitate and guide students through the course.
