Module 3: Who's Teaching Online?

This week our focus was on the instructor and their responsibilities when teaching online.

 

What did I learn?

I learned this week that the relationship between the instructors and their students is very important. It can impact the success of a student in an online course. As stated in the article "Virtual Schooling", it is important that instructors establish a strong online presence in the course. It is important that the instructor creates a supportive and welcoming environment for all of their online students. Instructors need to create a strong teacher-student relationship by assessing student work and providing timely feedback. A teacher needs to be actively involved with monitoring and engaging students in discussions on a regular basis. Making oneself available on a regular and daily basis is important for students. Students need to know that they are not alone and if they need support it is there. Instructors also need to monitor student learning constantly, make adjustments and modifications for students to ensure that every student is successful in the course.

Some of the positives of being an online instructor are the ability to work from home, not having to deal with classroom management, working with students on their individual needs, and being able to meet everyone's needs. The one thing I am wondering about is classroom management. I think they mean discipline issues because even though your course is online a good teacher is still going to set up class expectations and responsibilities. I think this falls under the umbrella of classroom management. 

Some of the negatives of being an online instructor are the lack of student discipline to complete assignments and projects. Having a difficult time encouraging students to improve their effort in a course.  Lack of support from the student's school and parental units.  Insturctiors also note that low pay, lack of professional development and technical support are also negatives to online teaching.

Why is it important?

My one word for this week's module is dedication.

To be a successful online insturctor you must be dedicated and self-motivated. Communications is extremely important to the success of an online course. Instructors need to be approachable, present and provide honest and supportive feedback. You need to be actively monitoring the course and student progress daily. Providing prompt feedback to student assignments and assessments. This provides the instructor with the ability to modify activities, resolve any confusion, and ensure student success before it is too late.

It is also important to provide students with opportunities to collaborate and connect with their peers online. Taking an online course can feel isolating and lonely. It is the instructor's responsibility to provide students with opportunities to connect with peers in order to avoid these feelings. Instructors also need to provide opportunities for students to experience the content of the course in a variety of different and engaging ways.

How can I use this information?

As a librarian, I don't see students on a daily basis. Creating an online presence to support their learning is an extremely helpful way for me to connect to all my students. That means that I need to make sure I am responding to student questions and issues promptly and provide them with feedback quickly. When students are researching I need to be timely with providing resources online and monitor if students are understanding the content. If it seems they are struggling I need to make adjustments to my lessons and activities just like I would face to face.