WOW! While the past 8 weeks seem to have flown by, when I look back at all the work we did I’m not exactly sure how I did it! This is the first time that I have truly been an online student. I’ve done a few projects here and there, but this was complete immersion of the online community for me. What an eye-opening experience. And to self-evaluate? I don’t even know where to begin.
When I look at myself as a learner, I would say I’m not cut out for 100% online learning. I’m so glad I took this course, but I want some interaction with people, I want some face to face conversations. Versions of this communication can take place in the online environment, but I’m not sure it would be enough for me. And I find myself teaching that way. I find it easier to verbally explain things to a student, then type up separate instructions to have them decipher. If I were to teach an online course, i definitely would incorporate videos of myself explaining work, assignments, expectations. Some students comprehend better (myself included) by hearing and listening. Skype and Hangouts activities to get to know one another would be a must. These “fun” sessions could be simply playing a game, telling about stories about ourselves, sharing with one another. This is what I felt was lacking in the class (not that there was a lot of extra time for it) and I would want to include it in my own courses. I know I would find myself going overboard making sure students felt the connection with each other and myself.
Using technology is a strength of mine. I’m comfortable trying new things and encouraging students to try new things. Because I have not taught a true online course, I don’t know what the requirements are for a student in regards to technology. What are they required to have? Do I get to determine that? Is it determined by the online school or school district hosting the course? As wonderful as technology can be, and how much it can add to a course, it can also be a hinderance if it’s not working or compatible. For the immediate future, I plan to implement many of my learned skills into my hybrid course in the hopes of converting it into a blended and/or flipped class. Small steps, but do each step well, that’s my motto.
As an instructor, this experience have been invaluable. I saw a quote that said “if YOUR job is to tell me how to do MY job, you have to have done my job at one point”. The same is true for online instructors. Had I not been a student myself, I would have a harder time relating to frustrations, time management skills needed, online collaboration, discussion techniques, etc. Experiencing it all first hand gives me insight into questions or concerns my students may have. I’ll be able to help advise and coach them as they complete work, relating back to my own course experience.
As I review the iNACOL standards for online teaching, I feel my strength lies in Standard B: The online teacher understands and is able to use a range of technologies, both existing and emerging, that effectively support student learning and engagement in the online environment. Technology is at the core of most of what I teach, I comfortable with it, excited about it, and encouraging of my students to try new ones. I am most unsure about Standard I: The online teacher demonstrates competency is using data from assessments and other data sources to modify content and to guide student learning. I understand what this entails, but I worry I will not do justice to my students because of the lack of face to face interaction. This fear may be derivative of my lack of experience in this area, but it is also not an area where "trial and error" will be an acceptable learning tool. I need to have some solid techniques and proven strategies to use so I can appropriately guide student learning. I'm going to have to work extremely hard to develop relationships with other online instructors so I can collaborate and improve my own teaching.
As I review the iNACOL standards for online teaching, I feel my strength lies in Standard B: The online teacher understands and is able to use a range of technologies, both existing and emerging, that effectively support student learning and engagement in the online environment. Technology is at the core of most of what I teach, I comfortable with it, excited about it, and encouraging of my students to try new ones. I am most unsure about Standard I: The online teacher demonstrates competency is using data from assessments and other data sources to modify content and to guide student learning. I understand what this entails, but I worry I will not do justice to my students because of the lack of face to face interaction. This fear may be derivative of my lack of experience in this area, but it is also not an area where "trial and error" will be an acceptable learning tool. I need to have some solid techniques and proven strategies to use so I can appropriately guide student learning. I'm going to have to work extremely hard to develop relationships with other online instructors so I can collaborate and improve my own teaching.
Just like technology, online instructions will continue to change. To stay current I am going to have to find other instructors to collaborate with, continue seeking out courses when I can learn new and emerging technologies, and keep on top of changes in the laws. Like a traditional instructor, my education in continual, but won't happen in the traditional ways. I hope to encourage some of my colleagues to take this course and start venturing into the online teaching world. The more the merrier! Any Fairmont Cardinals reading this? Want to jump in with me?
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