This is a very valuable learning experience. It is a great tool for me to step back and evaluate my own teaching style, look at areas where my students are thriving and are engaged, and look at areas of improvement. At the same time be able to actually investigate for anecdotal evidence of both. I noted that even in the synchronous method of distance learning, some learners may be lost just because of different barriers such as distance and technology. Being aware of this enables me to tweak a lot of the styles and even structure to incorporate the need of the students to be addressed in order to keep them engaged.
When I initially signed up for this class, I really thought it would focus on my job as an instructor. At the University where I work, not only am I an instructor, but I also am what could be considered as a liaison for the students. I work in student services and I reach out to the students in a variety of ways. Early last summer, I was asked to track a student who was on academic probation. She was struggling with so many things, but most of all, she had no idea how to write a paper. She needed to approach her assignments differently than being directed to a website. She needed social interaction and motivational engagement to get her on the right track. So the time I spent with her gave her the confidence to continue on her educational journey and not give up. The following semester, she sent me a screenshot of a paper she wrote and was so excited that she got an A on an assignment when it hadn't been that long she was due to be dropped from the school. Up until the time I worked with her she had been isolated and did not know how to navigate her own educational journey. When she would attempt to write an assignment, she was given very basic feedback, and she had no idea how to correct any of her errors, so as a result, she put off doing her assignments to the point she was going to be asked to leave. So the part where the presenters in this class talked about efficient and effective feedback, made me realize that is what I need to do more for my own students. I put myself into the discussions and add my own thoughts to what the students are saying, but I also need to make sure I validate their assignments and not just leave them with a "Good Job!" I do write more than that for them, but I know I can do more. As Kathleen Watts mentioned about I too will implement more specific feedback that is in-depth to encourage students to continue learning.
Using reminder.com for student reminders.
I have to find ways to encourage students to want to learn and not make it a burden for them. Looking for different ways to engage them in the online courses.
Great tips on how to engage students more via the online format. Early contact is key with introduction emails and an information page for easy of contact with the instructore. Be mindful of students with children for this can be a barrier to success. As an evening weekend instructor, I try to give the lunch break around bedstime so the students can put their children to bed.
I have learned the methods of engaging students online is different from the traditional in class setting. It is important to enage students before the course starts with a welcome announcement or video. This can help build rapport with students and give them a sense of connection before the course starts. I also learned the need to engage students during the class to allow for social engagement with me as the instructor and with their peers. Lastly, I learned that engagement extends to provided feedback, instruction and reminders. These tools will help me to better engage my students online.
I have learned that I need to communicate with my students more between classes and offer them alternative instructions on the assignments.
Studdnts need a variety of assignments and if possible, varety for each learning outcome. If a student needs to meet outcmoe X, it would be nice if you can comepup with a few different projects that will satisfy assessing if the student learned that outcome. Studnts can select the option that matches their learning style.
This lesson was a solid reminder of how important communication is and how important it is to engage all parties involved for the cycle of communication to sustain energy toward a common team goal of success. In order to do that it is essential that I quickly assess the needs of each student to understand the importance to work together.
Having taught in a blended program before in a university setting, I thought it would not be a great challenge to transition our ground students to full virtual/online format. I was dead wrong. Our student population is different and have different home environment, responsibilities, priorities, and backgrounds that may not prove conducive to an online learning environment. To improve both social engagement and nurture motivational engagement, I have learned that practices need to be evaluated every time for effectiveness and relevance. What worked before may not work all the time. With different age groups and different learner styles come the challenge of being flexible and well-rounded as an instructor/facilitator. Maybe a needs assessment at the beginning of each course may help identify potential issues and allow the instructor to plan ahead.
I learned that its very important to keep your students motivated and engaged while lecturing as well as while they are doing online assignments. I learned that we have to make sure that the material is not only accurate but also effective for each learning syle.
Communication is a priority ,listen and respond to their feedback within limits ( I'm not available 24/7 ) give them several venues of communication have them realize that the response may not be instananeous encourage them to work with other students who may have a better grasp on your question I also have to make it interesting so they stay motivated encourage discussion boards try and discover what it takes to get them motivated and I'm always open to altering my method if it makes it easier for them to grasp a concept I'm trying to get across
Motivation is critical in online learning without the physical classroom environment
I have discovered that my online feedback is clear and concise and gives the students information to improve upon their courses. Area of improvement is still trying to keep the students engaged, particularly when part of the lecture is done with the whole group online. I also feel it is hard to demonstrate some of the radiography concepts without the students actually taking any x-rays.
I believe that as online instructors we need to be more than just instructors, we need to also remember to be cheerleaders for our students. It is important that they remember that there is a person behind the computer and we care about them. We need to remember to send words of encouragement to them, especially during this time of the pandemic because students are dealing with so much more than just school right now.
I remember staying up late into the night waiting for my instructor to answer my questions or send a clarification, so I've learning the importance of efficient and effective feedback.
This cours was a breathe of fresh air. Learning new way to engage with my online students will make the learning more robust. We have a unique situation...teaching acting online...but many of these concepts still translate.
I have incorporated several techniques in order to keep everyone engage, seeing that students have different leanring styles.
This was an excellent reflective module that helped me think about the many different ways not only to teach, but how to engage students. Engagement is particularly difficult with a computer barrier in online learning, so being on top of social and motivation engagement is especialyl important. I will have an online and in person lab class for the course I am teaching, so fortunately will be able to teach in both scenarios. My course has a large number of powerpoint slides, so the concept of chunking, appropriate breaks, social engagement and more were incredibly stimulating as I begin teaching my first online class.
It is a very common trap to fall into just lecturing. This course reemphasizes what I am learning in my PhD program regarding optimal learning. Peer to peer interaction is not only important for engagement but also for optimal learning as well. This angle offers another option in online engagement that I often do not utilize enough. Thank you for this course!
